If you haven't given your spare tire mech. a look before --

[erics_bruisers]

-- I'd do it when you get a chance, in your driveway -- before you're in a less-than-ideal situation and have to learn how it works --

-- I had to re-adjust my spare on my '91 today and was surprised how initially difficult it was to hook up the spinner with the holder --

-- anyway, after I got the hang of it, all was cool.

My technique is to put the spinner in the access hole and then to get under the truck and guide it in visually to thre receiver -- prodding around from outside the truck proved futile to me --

e

PS - changed fluids filters and fluids today -- the fun stuff --

 

[Gold Finger]

It is indeed a good idea to try winching out the spare and I too had fun trying to locate the chain winch. In daylight at home OK but on a dark rainy night not much fun especially with a dead torch. Would it be possible to weld a bit of tubing to guide the winding rod to the winch? I had thought of painting the mechanism white, perhaps even luminous if it exists and connect a small light under there to illuminate things. Any one else got any thought about this other than perhaps fitting a wheel carrier.

 

[Riley]

We had a major thread discussing this last spring I think. I find that thing a pain in the ass as well. When swapping tyres, it's almost as long to swap spares as it is to do the rest of them.

Painting a bright color is a not bad idea. We discussed using a pipe as a guide (looked into that but the size of pipe is too big) and also considered a 3/8 socket receiver to allow a racket to drive it without falling out.

I'll try to find that old thread and edit this post with the link

 

[Gold Finger]

I found a thread but Iam sory I have not learnt how to hylight the earls just yet.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=15311&highlight=spare+wheel

 

[Scamper]

Yeah, I found out about what a PIA this was when I went to do the airbags. Not only was it tricky to get the gear engaged, it was somewhat rusted or stiff, so it was difficult to turn.

Once I got the spare lowered and off the do-dad they provide, I greased it all up good so that I wouldn't face that for a while.

 

[Gold Finger]

I guess it is not beyond the realms of impossibility to have an electric motor connected to the crank. Then the wheel could be lowered and razed from the driver’s seat. Then the wife can change the wheel over, while one listens to the radio and direct the operation from there!!!!

 

[erics_bruisers]

I guess it is not beyond the realms of impossibility to have an electric motor connected to the crank. Then the wheel could be lowered and razed from the driver’s seat. Then the wife can change the wheel over, while one listens to the radio and direct the operation from there!!!!

-- haha -- all my dad said was, "what if you're a woman stuck n the road and you have to change the tire?" --

-- not too many people want to get on their back to change a tire --

 

[NorCalDoug]

...put the spinner in the access hole and then to get under the truck and guide it in visually to the receiver

I don't recall ever having a problem getting my spinner through the access hole and into the receiver...but I can see it being a problem if someone hasn't had much practice...

...prodding around...proved futile to me

agreed...excess prodding is never desirable.


Oh...and on the subject of tire changes...just Christo's bumper/tire carrier and be done with it. Makes tire changes a job.


My handles tire changes a little differently than I do...she calls AAA.

 

[erics_bruisers]

My handles tire changes a little differently than I do...she calls AAA.

that's like letting jiffy lube change my oil -- ain't gonna happen --



e

 

[nakman]

Iam sory I have not learnt how to hylight the earls just yet.

Hey Blofeld, that's some funny shiat dude.. totally cracked me up.

Doug, our better halves have at least one thing in common sir. Also I recently moved my spare to the back bumper so if anyone really needs my chain pulley cross-member thing let me know.

 

[NorCalDoug]

Doug, our better halves have at least one thing in common sir.

with 2 potentially screaming young-uns in the back...there's no way she's workin' on a tire change.

...if anyone really needs my chain pulley cross-member thing let me know.

I just zip-tied mine up and away.
Some people just let theirs swing freely. I prefer mine secured.

 

[nakman]

I've got it looped over once right now, but need to do something with it. It's going to be a while before I've got anything else for that area of the truck, so the only urgency is what's safe & proper. I keep going back and forth between the aux. fuel tank or making some cool flip-up storage area... saw one of Christo's projects once where he put 2 batteries in the floor back there.. very trick. But once I figure something out that thing is gone.. it can't be structural since everyone else shimmed theirs up 2" with big bolts & washers.

 

[NorCalDoug]

I'd like to do a fuel tank. A water tank might be nice...sure would beat lugging water jugs everywhere.

I don't think that cross bar is structural.

 

[MoJ]

It's way too to be structural.