I've been looking around the new Crown Vic and dreaded trying to get the spare tire out of the tire well. I've also got a 65 Falcon wagon and it is a PITA for an old guy to pull the tire out. I was surprised to find a sling type lift in the Crown Vic. The front end of the sling is hooked to the body just below the quarter window. The back of the sling sits on a hook in the body by the inside of the taillight. It makes it a breeze to remove the spare. Just unhook the rear of the sling and pick up and the tire comes right out. There are no markings on the sling. I think it is a standard Ford part that comes with the wagons based on the hook the rear sits in. Any other Ford owners have the same thing in their wagon. I'd like to find another to put in my Falcon.
I'll keep my eyes open. I sold my one and only to another member a handful of years ago. It's really necessary; I once threw out my back trying unsuccessfully to remove my '83's spare. I had to have help deadlifting it out because of the awkward position it's in.
I did some additional looking around and found it is a factory part. It's shown in the owner's manual for the car. I might be able to find one in a junk yard.
I should be able to find one in a salvage yard, then. I don't think any of them in this area have anything that old, but I'll start a search. As a new CV owner I don't know all the jargon yet...what is a CP?
Of course, I just had a great idea: make a sling from strong line, like 3/8" or larger, in a 'ladder' design, with a hook at one end, a handle at the other. It'd be a chunk of your time to make it, but I'd bet it'd be worth its weight in gold when you finish it.
Forgot to mention that I found one on eBay. I'm going to see if it will work in my 65 Falcon wagon. If it's too big, I might try Andrew's idea.
I don't think it'll be too big, but if it is, you might be able to shorten the hook end, as it's just a rubber strap. Just drill a new hole for the hook.
