Page 207 of 432

yellowblue     
4-17 Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out. For
example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance 
and service work done. Check to make sure all
underbody shields (if so equipped) are properly
attached. Be sure you read all the information about
your four
-wheel-drive vehicle in this manual. Is there
enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully inflated? Are the
fluid levels up where they should be? What are the local
laws that apply to off
-roading where you'll be driving?
If you don't know, you should check with law
enforcement people in the area. Will you be on
someone's private land? If so, be sure to get the
necessary permission.
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
There are some important things to remember about
how to load your vehicle.
The heaviest things should be on the load floor and
forward of your rear axle. Put heavier items as far
forward as you can.
Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on
the off
-road terrain doesn't toss things around.
CAUTION:
Cargo on the load floor piled higher than
the seatbacks can be thrown forward
during a sudden stop. You or your
passengers could be injured. Keep cargo
below the top of the seatbacks.
Unsecured cargo on the load floor can be
tossed about when driving over rough
terrain. You or your passengers can be
struck by flying objects. Secure the 
cargo properly.
Heavy loads on the roof raise the vehicle's
center of gravity, making it more likely to
roll over. You can be seriously or fatally
injured if the vehicle rolls over. Put heavy
loads inside the cargo area, not on the roof.
Keep cargo in the cargo area as far forward
and low as possible.
You'll find other important information in this manual.
See ªVehicle Loading,º ªLuggage Carrierº and ªTiresº
in the Index. 
     
        
        Page 280 of 432
yellowblue     
5-20 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
Regular Cab
Extended Cab
The equipment you'll need is behind the passenger's seat.
1. If there is a cover, move the seats forward and turn the
wing nut on the cover counterclockwise to remove it.
2. The wheel blocks and the wheel block retainer can be
removed by turning the wing nut counterclockwise.
3. To release the bottle jack from it's holder, turn the
knob on the bottle jack counterclockwise to lower
the jack head slightly.
4. There is also a wing nut used to retain the storage
bag and tools. To remove it, turn the wing 
nut counterclockwise. 
     
        
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yellowblue     
5-21
You'll use the jack handle and the wheel wrench to
remove the underbody
-mounted spare tire.
A. Hoist Assembly
B. Wheel Wrench
C. Extensions
D. Hoist Shaft
E. Valve Stem, 
Pointed Down
F. Spare TireG. Tire Retainer
H. Hoist Cable
I. Hoist Lock
J. Hoist Shaft 
Access Hole
K. Hoist EndFollow these instructions to lower the spare tire:
1. If the vehicle is equipped with a hoist lock, open the
spare tire lock cover on the bumper and use the
ignition key to remove the lock.
2. Assemble the wheel wrench and the two jack handle
extensions as shown. Insert the hoist end of the
extension through the hole in the rear bumper. Be
sure the hoist end of the extension connects into the
hoist shaft.
3. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the spare tire to the ground. Continue to turn the
wheel wrench until the spare tire can be pulled out
from under the vehicle. The wheel wrench has a
hook feature that allows you to pull the hoist cable
towards you, to assist you in reaching the spare tire.
4. When the tire has been lowered, tilt the retainer at
the end of the cable so it can be pulled up through
the wheel opening.
5. Put the spare tire near the flat tire. 
     
        
        Page 284 of 432
yellowblue     
5-24 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing 
the Spare Tire
1. Use the wheel wrench 
to loosen all the 
wheel nuts. Turn 
the wheel wrench
counterclockwise to
loosen the wheel nuts.
Don't remove the wheel
nuts yet.
2. Position the jack under the vehicle. If the flat tire 
is on the front of the vehicle (2
-Wheel Drive 
1500 Series vehicles), position the jack under the
bracket attached to the vehicle's frame, behind the
flat tire. If the flat tire is on the front of the vehicle
(All other models), position the jack on the frame
behind the flat tire.
If the flat tire is on the rear, position the jack under
the rear axle between the spring anchor and the
shock absorber bracket.
If you have added a snow plow to the front of 
your vehicle, lower the snow plow fully before
raising the vehicle. 
     
        
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yellowblue     
5-26
Front Position All Other ModelsRear Position
3. Make sure the jack head is positioned so that the rear
axle is resting securely between the grooves that are
on the jack head. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise
to raise the vehicle. Raise the vehicle far enough off
the ground so there is enough room for the spare tire
to fit. 
     
        
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yellowblue     
5-27
4. Remove all the wheel
nuts and take off the 
flat tire.
5. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and
spare wheel.
CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When you change a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt from the places
where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use a cloth or a paper towel
to do this; but be sure to use a scraper or wire
brush later, if you need to, to get all the rust or
dirt off.
CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall off, causing a serious accident. 
     
        
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yellowblue     
5-28
6. After mounting the
spare, replace the wheel
nuts with the rounded
end of the nuts toward
the wheel. Tighten each
wheel nut by hand using
the wheel wrench until
the wheel is held against
the hub.
Front Position 2WD 1500 Series 
     
        
        Page 291 of 432

yellowblue     
5-31 Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
CAUTION:
Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
Store the flat tire where the spare tire was stored.
Store the tire under the rear of the vehicle in the spare
tire carrier. To store the tire:
1. Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the 
vehicle with the valve stem pointed downward and
to the rear.
2. Tilt the retainer downward and through the wheel
opening. Make sure that the retainer is fully seated
across the underside of the wheel.
3. Attach the wheel wrench and extensions together.
Insert the hoist end through the hole in the rear
bumper and into the hoist shaft.
4. Raise the tire part of the way upward. When the tire
is almost in the stored position, adjust the tire so that
the valve stem is toward the rear of the vehicle.
5. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the
vehicle. Continue turning the wrench until there are
two ªclicksº or ªratchets.º The spare tire hoist
cannot be over
-tightened.
6. Grasp and push against the tire to be sure it is stored
securely and does not move.
7. Replace the jack, tools and spare tire lock.