i just bought a 97 f150 anyway i knew it was missing a spare tire so i just had the dealer throw me one in the back that we found on one of there clunkers and told them id hook it up later. When i went to do it...it wont crank down it sounds stripped maybe and i think that the cable is roled up all the way and is there supposed to be some kind of clamp on the end of the cable? that the spare wheel hooks to? is there anything i can do or am i sol?
thanks

 

oh wasnt sure where to post this question at...figured this was as good a place as any!
Thanks again

 

I just had my winch replaced at the dealer - $200 parts and labor. List price on the winch is about $120.

 

Yes.
Sounds like your winch is toast.
A '97 probably needs a new one by now anyways.

 

That sucks...but thats what i figured. i'll just carry it in my bed for now
Thanks

 

Do you have a lock on the spare tire? It might be locked. The lock is in the tube where you stick the bar you turn to lower the tire.

 

Those locks have been a pain in the neck - the current replacement winches don't use them, the rod directly inserts into the winch now.

 

Well im not too sure about the lock or what not. t i do kno that there is no cable or ne thing to hook it up too. Cause i was assuming tha t that the cable comes out adn lowers the spare when you crank it but the cable is gone i mean i can see it up in there rolled up but i was wondering if anyone had or knew of any ideas to get the cable out. And im pretty sure therre should be a clamp or something to hook to spare and if it has that on it it woulld nt be rolled all the way up would it?
thanks

 

Don't worry about the cable, it's part of a system that is trashed.

Look for the bolts that attach the winch housing to the truck.
Remove the entire assembly and replace.

 

Thanks man one of these days. i guess i dont realy need it until i get a flat tho anyway...haha