02 Spare Tire Winch/Hoist Mystery!

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Savatreatabvr

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Just bought an 02 RAM 1500 4.7l a few months ago without a spare tire, didn't think much about it until I came across another set of matching rims and tires. I thought oh good, I'll basically have four spare tires, I'll put one on the truck and store the other three.

Well after winching up the spare tire I noticed it wasn't fitting up against the bed like it should, then I noticed a odd metal bar welded below the winch which is blocking the spare tire from fitting properly. This can't be factory can it. If it's not factory then whomever welded the bar there did a fantastic job.

But my main question is, why is it there?

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HemiLonestar

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Well THAT isn't factory lol....****** thing is, if you want your spare to sit correctly you'll have cut it off.
 
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Savatreatabvr

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Well THAT isn't factory lol....****** thing is, if you want your spare to sit correctly you'll have cut it off.

Thats what I was afraid of. Time to buy a cordless grinder. I'm still puzzled on what could have been more important than the spare tire?
 

EdGs

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At least you get a new tool out of the deal...lol
 
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Savatreatabvr

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At least you get a new tool out of the deal...lol

After cutting that piece off a member of another forum posted a pic of his spare tire winch and it just so happened to have that same exact bar welded on the winch so it is OEM. Perfect example of why getting a second opinion before cutting off OEM parts is always a good idea, lol.
 

kevkev

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I guess it was to keep the spare from moving around too much.
 

Oliver Closehauf

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When you were winching your tire up did you have the outside of the rim pointing down or up? Outside should be pointing down.

My spare is a steel wheel. I don't think one of the aluminum rims will fit up there correctly, guess you proved that.
 
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