I have a 94, and I lowered the spare today to install a gooseneck hitch. Wouldn't you know it, the hitch installation went fine, raising the spare tire didn't. With age and mileage, the end of the winch tube, at the grommet, is splitting open from corosion and wear/tear. I can't get the tire up. Does anyone know of an aftermarket source for these winch tubes, or have you had better success at making a new one? Ideas?

 

I've used a pipe wrench when a camper is in the way of inserting the crank.
Perhaps that would work?

 

Try your local pick and pull...There are the same for the 2nd gen dodge trucks...Maybe cost you $5 or $10...

 

The problem is that the old tube is thin wall metal, and is brittle. I have the tire out from underneath the truck- phew. If this had happened with the tire in place, it would be very difficult to correct without cutting the cable. I think that I am going to make a new shaft for it, stronger than the original design. It should last another 200,000 miles.

 

I fixed the aged part, and the weak design. The tube on the truck is round, with the end shaped to receive the six-sided extension. Mine had corroded, stretched, and tore- the extension would just rotate inside the tube. So, after getting the old stuck cotter pin out, I removed the tube, and replaced it with a piece of 1" square tubing. It works well. I then took a 3/4" piece of solid square stock about 12" long, and made an extension out of it. I shaped the end to work in the ratchet that comes with the jack kit. So, I didn't have to change any of the components that work the jack, but the square stock and tube are much stronger, and won't stretch and slip.