That would be a great idea for a donut spare! Where are you guys with rusted up tire winches located? I am on the West Coast and mine has always worked great. I don't use it anymore since I can't fit a 37" spare tire down there.

 

I made a cheezy little bar in welding to get mine down

 

I just took the box off my truck today to clean and paint the frame and put another box off and the first thing I did was unbolt and throw away that tire carrier. I've never in my life seen one that has worked. Always gotta cut the chain to get the tire down. If I have a flat I want to be able to get at my spare. I'm in Fort Frances, ON. Shes nice and salty on the roads for close to 6 months here so that explains why they die.

 

I live in Wisconsin/Upper Michigan and my was rusted solid...not too mention how the BL kinda made it difficult to access. I used a sawzall to cut mine down, then hung it w/ two ratchet straps. Last one year so far...

 

I replaced mine last year . They did away with the cable and mine is a chain winch . It worked great upon installation. I ordered it from the off-road shop I use to get work done but I'm sure it came from toyota dealer.