Advice needed for an old/new mudder

[Battleship]

I'm back in the saddle after I had to take time off from the Land Cruiser. Silver 2006, 165k, no AHC, NAV (duh). Many thanks to a couple of fine mudders @Traskew3 and @DirtDawg for helping me find this rig. These two guys did more for me than every dealer on every other purchase I’ve ever made combined. Did the driver’s door lock actuator, a bit of a pain, mostly because I park on the street, but nice to have done it myself. @spressomon helped me with that when I was freaking out a little. I got some 285/65 KO2’s, they look and ride great.

Unfortunately, someone else liked them, and they stole my spare:

I’d like to keep this from happening again, so I’m hoping the forum can provide advice. It looks like they just turned it until the wire broke. Did I just not have it pulled up tight enough, and if I crank it, it will prevent turning? My options seem to be: 1. Crank it, 2. Loop a strong chain over the support to prevent turning, 3. Internal mount (don’t want to), 4. Get BIO to add a swingout for the tire when I get my bumper in a few weeks (it will be cumbersome in the city). Maybe the new spare lifts are chains instead of cables?

Thanks. I’ve been lurking all these years. I’m glad to have a 100 to work on again. Even if it is because of theft.

BTW, I'm a veterinarian if anyone needs animal help, and I'm a Green Egger as well.

 

[DirtDawg]

Glad you could finally find one and I'm glad to help anytime. Clean cruiser!

As for the spare, cranking down should help, but if your still worried a cable bike lock wrapped through the wheel and around the frame/crossmember should work. That way you have two lines of defense; most thiefs would pass it up because its too much work.

 

[Traskew3]

Ugh!! So,sorry bout ur Spare! Mines still the old stock tire but I prolly she do something.... Best of luck Buddy!!