Chucke,
I used the same space between the gas tank and the hitch, but not being a welder, I bought the spare tire support from an older 80-90's F-150. Measuring three or four times I used an existing hole in the upper horizontal potion of the frame, drilled another diagonally across on the other side and supported the cross-member that holds the spare tire/wheel with the long bolts used on the original spare mount with captured nuts above. Cheap ($10), effective, and hasn't fallen off in 5,500 miles.
__________________
|