Topic: Fender Trimming...

[reklund5]

Hey guys...

Took the truck out for a little urban crawling this afternoon, and figured out that my 37's rub.  A LOT!. I've got them on a set of crappy 4" BS rockcrawler wheels that moved them way too far in.  I need to trim the fenders to make room, and was looking for some pictures of what others have done.  (84-88 trucks)   

Also, I saw that one guy flipped the centers of his crappy 17"rims, but I think I'd end up with too much wheel runout if I did that.  Any other wheel makers producing a mass-produced 17" wheel with 3" BS?  If I have to go custom I'll just order beadlocks...

Thanks!
Ryan

[yotaboy79]

best ways i have found to fix body rub sawsawl, cut off wheel, and in bad situations cutting torch

[reklund5 [OP]]

I just wanted some ideas before I went crazy with the plasma cutter 

[yotaboy79]

the  is quite fun espetialy when the paint catches on fire 

[Hyena]

The plasma cutter is the funnest thing in the world.  Use that and then if that doesn't do it enough beat the crap out of it with a hammer.  that always works.

[reklund5 [OP]]

Well, the plasma cutter got the best of me.  It was just sitting in the corner, begging to be used.  Heres what I ended up with:

[reklund5 [OP]]

2 more pics...

[yotaboy79]

now take a flapper grinder to clean it all up

[Prismo]

My question is this: Has anyone used the Harbor Freight air flange tool to put a new flange on the cut edge of the fender? I don't like how flimsy they end up after you cut them.

[reklund5 [OP]]

Actually, the picture is shitty... I did clean them up and I even put a small piece of edge moulding on the sharp ass edge.  I have never used the harbor freight tool.  The dealership where I work works closely with a local body shop, so I'm going over there tomorrow to see if they can flange them and shoot a little paint at them.  They were nice enought to shoot my 1/2 doors for free...

Ryan

[Prismo]

If you watch them flange them, post up what tool they use to do it if you would.

[5spd]

Heres the ones I just did........

[4DEES]

yup, fender trimming is the cheapest way to go, and it's fun too!! I'm trmmed up in the rear, I clear 40's with only four inches of lift in the rear. but when I'm bangin' out the dents in the bed, it makes me wish I'd gone bigger springs!

[GrimReaper]

Depending on where the tire is hitting then more back space is better. Most htt the fire wall on the outside edge of the tire when turned. Well more back sapce is goign to decrease the outside radius the tire is turning on. Redrill your purches and move the axle forward an inch.   8)

[reklund5 [OP]]

I've already got the axle forward an extra inch!  Actually, I'm just trying to justify the beadlock purchase to my g/f.  She has trouble understanding the "need" for more new wheels. 

[YotaYota]

Lemme guess, they rub on the shocks and leaf springs, how do i know....well cuz i waz the one who cut up my perfectly good 17" rockkrawlers, i only have bout a 1/4' of runout on the worst wheel, I do drive it every day at bout 65 mph. i dont have them balenced but sombody told me to get this stuff called "equal"(you bust the bead and pour it in the tire), truckers use it to balence there tires. Now they have -1" BS, very stable now. Any questions, ask.

                                -Anthony

[WHITE_TRASH]

dont waste $$ on equal.  Its garbage just buy a big box of BB's from wal-mart and put about a 1/3 cup of BB's in each tire.

[reklund5 [OP]]

So what's the trick to minimizing runout when cutting up your wheels?  Did you fab up some sort of jig?

Ryan

[YotaYota]

Yeaa we built a jig. We used a flat table steet table and a military dana 70 drum. You really have to take your time when you do this. Cut the welds on the back of the wheel, then use a LARGE steel rod and beat the center of the rim out on the outside, it takes ALOT of beating, be careful of your hand(go ahead, ask me how i know). Then put it in the jig and beat the center back in, tack it in place, put it on the truck and spin the wheel, find a peace of angle iron to put next to the wheel as it spins, look for the spots that are hi and adjust w/ a big hammer. It took us one really late night to do this, finished result was much more flex and more stability.