Soooooo.

Stock spare tire winch was seized up. At some point somebody cut the winch line to access the spare.

A new spare tire winch is something stupid like $110.

One issue here is that I cannot run a mount that puts the tire standing vertical on the side of the bed, because I have a soft tonneau cover that I cannot remove, for a few reasons.

Anybody have any other suggestions as to how to mount or keep a spare tire, aside from just throwing it in the bed? I guess I could run a strap from the tie downs and go through the tire and keep it at the front of the bed, but that's a PITA if I ever need to haul anything long.

Or does anybody know of a source for the winch that isn't silly expensive?

 

I think your best bet for a reasonable cost replacement would be a junkyard/ u-pull yard.

With a tonneau cover on, I think the stock under the bed mounting location is best.

 

Agreed ^^

 

Suppose I will touch base with a few local wrecking yards.

If my research is right a winch from any second gen should be fine right? 97-2004?