FENDER TRIMMING

[crawlerdan]

any body got pics of a first gen runner with trimmed rear fenders, i gotta trim a little due to the fact that i dont wanna lift any higher and the tire rub...alot...any suggestions would be sweet--thanks-dan

[All_Set]

Pretty good stuff on this thread.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=386066

[crawlerdan]

good info, but there is no way in hell ima tub the rear!!!

[1tonCroozer]

Then you won't be trimming much off. I think you can get away with about a 1/2" or so before you get into the pinch seam and have to tub it. Depends on how bad you want/need and how much you have to trim. 

[CTENG in KS]

Never mind the emailing, you have a post...lets see what I have...

[CTENG in KS]

look, I broke a thousand posts...

[CTENG in KS]

The cancer was so bad I had to remove the inner fenderwells completely...I made a cover for the inside out of some rubber floormats and bolted them to the inside and outside remaining fenders.  The final fix will be to pull the inner trimwork and fully tub the rear.

[waskillywabbit]

http://www.wabfab.org/project/ft/ft.htm


Front fenders trimmed 2-3"

Front firewall cut back 3-4"

Rear fenders trimmed 2-3" and re-tubbed.

[crawlerdan]

that all looks real good, my front is perfect, no trimming needed, but the rear is the problem, and i am so against tubing the rear, but it looks to be my only option

[waskillywabbit]

Dan,

Some things I'd recommend from my experience.

Mark several times and step back and look at it before you start cutting.  Look at my pics on the link.

Mark where you want the fender to be trimmed to.  Then mark down an inch or so to give you a lip.  You will cut here.

On the inside, cut back to the hub but leave yourself and inch there as well.

20 gauge sheet metal.

Lip turned over w/ vise grips and some dollies.

Weld the sheet metal to the lips. If you do it this way, no need to do all that bondo crap from the Pirate thread.

Also, punch holes in the lips, put the sheet metal on top of the lips and spot weld it all together.  No need for seal welding.

Clean it up w/ a degreaser.  Use seam sealer inside and out.  Rust inhibitive primer.  Paint.  Undercoating.  It'll look factory.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[crawlerdan]

great link, and info, ill repost when i came to a desision, i just dont know about tubbing, the reason is-5500 dollar paint job- i know its a wheeler, but still, i put alot of time and money in that paint and i just dont know about cutting and more importantly welding, the body....yet, but well see

[waskillywabbit]

that is why I'm painting after all that is done...doing it myself for less than $300 in materials (with some help)

I don't know if there is anyway to trim the fenders w/o having to redo some paint.  Good luck.

[All_Set]

Another consideration.  Are you running rear wheel spacers?  If so, you could shorten the spacer(buy narrower spacer) so the tire just clears the rear fender.   If tire is hitting frame on full compression then wouldn't be a good idea. 

Just tossing it out there.

Attached is IFS rear w/ 5/8 spacer, 3.75bs rims, 63 chevys ~ 5in lift on 35x12.5 MTR.  They can go a bit more into the fender, just barly miss the fender (alittle bit of rubbing) as the tire arcs up.

[crawlerdan]

great idea, ill look into this, i have tires that measure 14 inches wide though, so i dont know if this is an option, but great idea, ill try it!

[Ramrod]

that really sucks that you might have to cut into that thing.  That paint is lookin too nice

[crawlerdan]

that really sucks that you might have to cut into that thing.  That paint is lookin too nice

thats my concern!!