A rare accessory indeed! In the days when some did not even lock their home doors, few would even consider buying a spare tire lock for their under bed pickup from their Chevrolet dealer. However, the 1937-50 Chevrolet / GMC Spare Tire locking device was available.
A brass nut replaced the long factory hexagon nut used on the original spare tire hook. Turning the key in the lock (you kept with your ignition key) retracted the inside pointer in the housing. Yes, at least one knee was usually on the ground to reach the lock! The wheel lug wrench then turned the special brass nut to release the long arm that holds the wheel and tire under the pickup bed. An ingenious devise to protect from losing a tire and wheel due to theft. It was 10 years before we at Jim Carter Truck Parts could find the total assembly for this article. Yes, they are out there. Keep looking!
Just a thought: If you live in a state that has freezing weather, this could be an issue! Driving about 50 mph on a paved highway, what if you run through a pot hole with standing ice water? Does this lock on a short bed ½ ton catch some of the splash from the front wheels at this speed? Thus, doesn’t the water freeze in the lock’s keyhole?
If you have a flat tire can its key be pushed through the ice buildup? Or with both the driver’s knees on the ice covered ground, wrap his hand around the lock to melt the ice? OR do you keep the truck engine running with the heater on and wait for a passing vehicle to take you for help? OR do you walk to the nearest farm house OR???
Surely, General Motors would not have sold an accessory that would do this or did they?
NOTE: The original hook hangs from the bed hole on the rear cross sill.
Without the accessory lock. From the factory with a long hexagon nut.
Brass locking nut that replaces the long metal hexagon nut.
Brass nut inside the total assembly installed.
Cast iron lock assembly. The key cylinder inside.
The locking pin that slides into the brass nut.