Hi all - new to this forum and thought I'd share some details about what I experienced with the spare tire kit install. First, this is a VERY easy thing to install yourself. My local RAM dealership quoted me $700 for the kit plus 2 hours of labor to install - so, roughly $1000 to put it in for me. I found the kit on Amazon [ame]http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B017HWRUZ6[/ame] for roughly $500 and it arrived in less than 3 days.
The instructions are like IKEA builds, so it's all graphics and gives some decent guidance. Now, the main obstacle is actually found in Step #1. It has you install 2 M6 Rivnuts. Most people are not going to have the tool needed to install this - and it doesn't come with the kit. You have a couple options to complete this: One is to call and order the "tool" for this install. It's fairly cheap - around $13 (low tech version - they go as high as +$100) plus shipping and tax. But, if you're like me (impatient and cheap), I've never before or probably never will again, use a Rivnut tool. Don't panic. The piece that you are to install with these rivnuts is nothing more than a retaining piece (1 of 3 - the other 2 are already in place) to make sure the spare tire stops before going too high (and to keep it level). It is not bearing weight and nothing hangs from it. So...I just used some long zip ties to hold it in place. Worked like a charm. I've put roughly 5000 miles on it (Cincinnati to LA and back) and it's still rock solid.
The clearance on the truck is actually really high - so I didn't even need to jack the vehicle up. Just slid right under and started installing. The only thing you are doing is installing nine nuts and like 3 bolts. It's actually easier than IKEA furniture. Save yourself the dealer markup if you are the least bit mechanically inclined.
