Metal bracket found in jack compartment. What in the heck is it for?

I was cleaning up the interior of my '96 this afternoon and found this 4" long metal bracket in the compartment where the jack is stored. I've tried to line it up with the jack and jack storage as well as the tire tool kit in the other compartment but at a loss as to its purpose and use.

Any insight is appreciated.

 

Bracket that holds the spare tire to the lowering cable.

 

I actually had that thought, though my spare is (should be) already fitted with a bracket. I'll drop the spare tomorrow to check. Thanks.

 

I don't think that's for the spare. The retainer for my spare doesn't look like that....but mine is an 02, not a 96.

 

Vann is right. Take a look here:

$87 Toyota 51900-04041 Spare Tire Carrier Assembly

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Toyota-51900-04041-Carrier-Assembly/dp/B00GD4UA98

OP probably got that from other vehicle...Or previous owner put it in there.

 

Mine looks like the one you are showing in the Amazon link, which has some obvious differences compared to the bracket the OP found. I think you can see that they are not identical.

So yes, Vann could be right, the bracket he found could be for a spare, just from different type of vehicle.

 

Some years of fhe Gen 1’s in some parts of the country had a recall on the spare tire winch, because corrosion was eating the carrier plates alive. My 2001 got a new winch assembly through that recall. Perhaps that truck’s previous owner was being prepared?

 

Probably.. OP's bracket is probably from old days before bracket design has been changed to round top version.

That's why I can not find exact design of bracket on the google images.

Maybe from the spare tire carrier (or bowl) in the trunk of the vehicle which it holds the tire to stay put.

Or some old version of vehicle that has tire mount on the wall. Then tight it up with that bracket...

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4043613180...1291&msclkid=e2ea6fba953a1c2f56c50a681b2d02c3
Jack handle bracket

 

Bingo! Shows up till 2000 in that listing, could be why I don't recall seeing that in my 02.

 

Yep, that's it. I don't have that plate that the bracket screws onto and can't visualize where it might go. My jack handle is stored in a pouch in the compartment behind the passengers seat.