VTPSD

Hi,

I have a 96 4x4 ext cab 3rz truck that I just bought in Reno Nevada and road tripped back to VT. NO RUST AT ALL!

It didnt have a spare, so i found a local spare tire (factory steelie with a 31x10.5.) I am running 31x10.5 tires, so its nice that the spare matches.

When I tried to winch the spare into place, I noticed that it does not really seem all that secure. The winch brings the tire all the way up (I oriented the outside of the wheel up) and snugs it to the crossmember. However, I cannot really get it nice and tight. The winch appears to have a clutching mechanism of some sort. When I go to snug it, it just feels like the drive is slipping somehow. You can turn and turn and turn, but it does not get any tighter. Not sure if this is how it should be or not.

My other questions is this: is there suppost to be any kind of support for the tire? All I have is the single, stamped cross member that has the winch bolted to it. There is no other support under there. The tire does not feel all that secure, and rocks around and makes some noise. I drive on very rough roads every day, and it seems like the spare might wear and brake the cable if it bounces around like that.

Am I missing some parts, or is there a problem with my winch?

Thanks in advance.

TheDurk

There are two cross bars ABOVE the tire bolted to the same cross-member the winch is on. The winch should hold it tight against those cross bars so it does not rock. It should NOT turn and turn. That's all there is. Sounds like your winch is busted. Where are you? I may have an extra from my frame swap I could sell you.

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

tie down the spare in the bed for now until you replace the winch

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Unless you live in the big city .

Do you really want to be crawling under the truck checking air pressure keeping the winch lubed so if you need to lower the tire you can.

One time in the slop and mud cured me forever of tires under the truck.

Keep after your frame !!

My Tacoma came from Central Texas never saw A Northern Winter needed attention after the second one.

Malcolm99

There is also a TSB to replace the spare tire carrier/crossmember due to rust at no charge, apparently they where falling off up here in Canada.

tantacoma

The previous owner may have removed the 2 cross-supports that cradle the spare when winched up. The spare shouldn't touch the frame crossmember.
Also, try flipping the tire over (outslde facing down). That may help, due to the backspacing of the wheel.