Hey guys,
tried to let the spare tire down for some room when working on the rear hangers. It only came down like 1/4 of the way. Finally got it off the truck; it's still stuck no matter what I seem to do. Can this be fixed? Is it worth fixing? Where can I get one at reasonable cost..........
TIA

 

The factory one is retarded because it has a secondary latch hook encased under that rubber boot. You have to lift up on the spring at the bottom of the cable with the trucks jack as you try to let the tire to release the latch.

Simple solution.... cut the tabs off the secondary latch and then it works like a normal winch cable. Or.. buy a new winch without the secondary latch which really isn't all that expensive.

The idea of the latch is the cable passes through it and in the event the cable broke with the tire up the tire can't come out from under the truck like a missle lol. It's common as stuff rusts away and especially when people let the spare tire fill right to the top even with mud and gravel.... gets really heavy and busts the cable. The latch holds that piece that goes through the hub hole in the rim to the winch body.

I bought new winches.... my 04 never had a winch at all when I got the truck and my 05's latch screwed up so I cut it.... then the winch bound itself up one time while I was dropping the tire so I bought a new one for it too.

Peel that rubber condom off and you will see the latch system and how it keeps the tire from dropping even though you lower the winch cable.

 

I myself have only seen the problem when people remove the original spare and over tighten them when re-installing.

Every truck that I have owned that has had an original Spare tire that was never removed has always come down for me.

 

I might have one laying around, i pulled it when it was new, i can check on Sunday. I have seen them on eBay tho

 

All cool- guys. Gonna goto the boneyard Monday anyhow. ,got the truck used so no telling what happened to it........

 

You must not get snow?

 

Even after checking around several yards for stuff, I would find that every one of these that was still on the trucks was there because the truck was being held up by steelies under the spare tire. I eventually just bought one off ebay for $40 shipped in new condition. Good luck on the yard, Id say ebay is the easiest. Craigslist if you can find someone parting close enough who isn't trying to get too much. I see you're in NM, so local ones would be good..

 

You can have mine. Just pay shipping.

It's about 18 months old and it's in the way of my 4ton jack. Lol.

 

Geting ready to remove mine too. Going to mount my spare vertically in the bed. It's yours if you need it.