['68OrangeSunshine]

IF you decide to repair, and return to using the underbed spare tire carrier -- you might consider 2 independent safety chains going to points under the bed. May have to be fabbed. Each chain thru the rim and around the rubber. Close to 180* apart. Sufficient to hold the tire by themselves. It would make changing a tire in the rain and dark an even worse situation than it already is, but there would be peace of mind that your spare is bombproof.