Which way did you have the spare facing when you wound it up? If you had the axle side facing downward you could try flipping it so that the front side is facing down and see if that takes up the slack.

 

Could you use one of them cable adjusters then you could control the length

 

I think the axle side is down - Dang, why can't I think of the simple $hit ?
That just might do it.

Not exactly sure what you refer to, theres not much margin for error here.
Not enough slack, tire doesn't seat properly.
Too much, and the cable will be wound tight in its housing, and still the tire will not be seated.
Hopefully speeds simple solution will do the trick.

 

OK, not to rub it in, but I thought some of you might want to see what a properly cared for, rust free spare tire mount from CA looks like compared to that hideous rust-encrusted thing that opened up this thread.



Look how clean dem frame nuts is!



Now before any of you think I'm an *** for showing this to you, I already got my payback. The reason the spare tire is out is because I got a flat out in the field where I was testing my 4 wheel drive actuator on Friday. I had to go out in the 95 degree heat and drop the spare so I could take the right rear tire in to be repaired. All this with my air cast on. I am not a happy camper right now. BTW, a stock 265 looks like crap on this truck.

 

Some might argue that rust gives a vehicle charisma & personality ... Anyone can have a plane Jane, generic factory looking undercarriage .... How boring !

Anyways, I see you are in the no tire lock category, as most of us seem to be.
I am coming to the conclusion that that had to be aftermarket ,, I'd like to get ahold of one of them.

 

I was kinda surprised when I was putting the spare back in today at how cheesy the whole setup seems to be. I like the cable setup, but that's all that holds the tire up there. When it makes contact with the frame the spool just keeps turning, but the cable doesn't get any tighter. There is no ratcheting action to hold it in place, no release mechanism, just friction, I guess. I'm surprised there aren't more reports of spare tires falling off these trucks. And it would be easy for a thief to snag your spare. I'm going to look into a tire lock of some kind.

 

If my tire lock was an after market install, then the dealer installed it for me for free and in one day since my truck was only on the lot for one day. I am the one and only owner of this truck, you know why I know this? Because I ordered it from the factory, and the sticker said "The Vehicle specially made for Ram15002ndgen". No PO in this case.

EDIT: You want to get one? Here you go, I looked it up for you. They are really inexpensive and easy to install by the look of it.
http://motivelocks.tripod.com/

 

Found your lock and it definitely is not factory. Must have been dealer installed.

http://motivelocks.tripod.com/dealer...lock-page.html

 

Yup, just found the same thing.
Heres the one specific for 94-99 Rams

http://motivelocks.tripod.com/motive...am94-inst.html

I might get one, unless a trip to home depot gives me other [cheaper] ideas ,, But $30 this don't sound too bad.

 

Yeah, I looked all over that site and couldn't find a listing for a 2000 RAM 2500. Not sure why as I don't think my truck is any different from a 1999 or earlier.