How-To tub front fenders

reklund5 · February 13, 2005, 06:47:46 PM

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Ok, so I'm about to take the angle grinder to my truck to tub the fronts to clear my 37's. Any suggestions, photos, or write ups are appreciated. I searched, but couldn't find any good pics

Ryan

RUGER · February 13, 2005, 06:51:15 PM

reklund

i took a felt tip and marked what i wanted trimmed. took the angle grinder and did my best to stay on the line.

happy trails
rich *ruger*

reklund5 · February 13, 2005, 06:56:38 PM

Sounds about like what I was gonna do. I'll just have to cut and paste

to fill it in...

Ryan

RUGER · February 13, 2005, 07:05:12 PM

yep. remember you can always cut off more on the next cut if you need it

but try to get it right the 1st time $Beer Chug\'n$

happy trails
rich *ruger*

Hyena · February 13, 2005, 07:41:08 PM

I also used a marker to make a line were to cut. I also used a torche to heat up the firewall and then beat it with a BFH. It gave me another inch of clearance. I didn't need it for my 35's, but i ran my friends 37's for a couple days and they hit even with the firewall clearancing. I just cut the flatpart off of the fenders both front and rear. But what i did was make flaps out of them and then bend them under the fender so there isn't a sharp edge along the hole thing. It turned out pretty good too. I can take pictures tomarrow.

Like this l_l_l_l_l_l_l and then bent them all the way in the fender.

reklund5 · February 13, 2005, 07:49:46 PM

Pictures would be excellent! I'll fire up the grinder and the plasma cutter tomorrow and see what happens. I'm sure I'll have to relocate the engine ECU and maybe the fuse box...

When (if) I get my Beadlocks, they'll push everything out another 1.5" on each side and ease some of my clearance issues. With Chile Challenge in 2 weeks, and no new wheels in sight, I want to make as much room as I can for my 37's. Stupid 4" BS wheels....

Marketing · February 13, 2005, 08:00:38 PM

http://www.marlincrawler.com/firewall.html

reklund5 · February 13, 2005, 08:04:34 PM

Thanks chris! That's what I was looking for! Did you have a major loss of legroom when you did that to your old rig? I'm 6'2 and 225 lbs- I'm already kinda folded up in that old single cab truck...

Ryan

Marketing · February 13, 2005, 08:15:00 PM

It's off to the side and I really did not notice the change inside.

reklund5 · February 13, 2005, 08:18:07 PM

Schweet! I'll point some fire at it tomorrow and post up some pics!

Ryan

Marketing · February 13, 2005, 08:39:20 PM

Get It!

Brandon · February 13, 2005, 08:59:26 PM

I did mine a lot like Chris but I made a steel frame and welded that to the hole and bolted in plexiglass for a bit o bling

http://rcrc4x4.com/mambo/index.php?set_albumName=fendertub&option=com_gallery&Itemid=43&include=view_album.php

reklund5 · February 14, 2005, 04:47:15 PM

Well the grinder fell off the workbench and into the fender wells of my truck today. I hate it when that happens!

Heres what I started with:

reklund5 · February 14, 2005, 04:50:17 PM

Heres what I ended up with. Didn't go in towards the center of the truck as much as Chris, but made some significant improvements. I was trying to save as much legroom as possible...

reklund5 · February 14, 2005, 04:51:14 PM

After a little seam-sealer and some black undercoating spray stuff:

Brandon · February 14, 2005, 05:29:17 PM

looks good!

Hyena · February 14, 2005, 07:26:30 PM

Looks good. I didn't cut into the firewall like that, i just heated it up and beat it. But that turned out pretty nice.

reklund5 · February 14, 2005, 09:01:47 PM

Yeah, I cut the

right out of the firewall. I kinda felt wierd putting that big of a hole in my truck

but it all turned out well. I really want to bob the bed next, but I won't have time to get it done before the Chile Challenge next week. I'll have to do that later on I guess....

Thanks for the compliments!
Ryan

Hyena · February 15, 2005, 04:55:19 PM

You could bob the bed in an hour or tow.

reklund5 · February 15, 2005, 05:17:04 PM

Yeah, I know. But its the re-engineering of my rear bumper, spare tire carrier, hi-lift jack mount, bike rack, etc...
that will take the time. I don't want to rush it and have it look like

I'm going to wait until my bender shows up and make up a new rear bumper when the bed gets bobbed....

Ryan

MidgetMike · February 15, 2005, 06:18:45 PM

Good job man I realy like it $Beer Chug\'n$

Hyena · February 15, 2005, 08:08:07 PM

I c now.

toybuilt · February 25, 2005, 08:44:27 PM

All you need is a sawzall and a welder

Brandon · February 25, 2005, 09:26:20 PM

Quote from: toybuilt on February 25, 2005, 08:44:27 PM
All you need is a sawzall and a welder

it's practically impossible to cut that with a sawzall, airsaw and a cutoff wheel were my tools of choice

KYOTA · February 25, 2005, 09:42:54 PM

Looks good. I gotta get off my ass and do mine, and I agree cut-off wheel or (I wish) plasma

Hyena · February 27, 2005, 05:45:36 PM

I would use a plasma or an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel. Of course our plasma at school only works when ever it wants too.

toybuilt · February 27, 2005, 07:39:19 PM

One of these days when I have some money all get a plasma

Hyena · February 27, 2005, 08:28:17 PM

get a good one, cheepies suck.

Brandon · February 27, 2005, 09:23:05 PM

Quote from: Hyena on February 27, 2005, 08:28:17 PM
get a good one, cheepies suck.

I have had access to a kick ass one for quite a while now - never used it..

I get by with a portaband, cut off wheel, air saw, and that's about it. Air rocks, helps to have an 80 gallon two stage compressor

reklund5 · February 28, 2005, 08:14:12 AM

Well, the official verdict is that the tubbing worked! Went wheeling this weekend on some pretty hard trails, and had absolutely zero tire contact with the front fender/firewall area!!!

I agree on the plasma cutters...I've got a good one and wouldn't work without it!!!

Ryan

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How-To tub front fenders