firewall clearance

[jlaird]

So I got my cab on the frame and to my surprise, my 29.5" tall tire just barely hits the firewall when the steering is turned. With all the reading I do here, I cant recall too many, if any at all, other people running into this problem. I have 3" belltech drop spindles, 1.125"-1.25" (cant remember) chopped crossmember, and air ride tubular arms. I wanted to shave my firewall anyway so the clearance problem will be solved by doing that, but I'm just wondering if a lot of others have run into this issue? (and yes, I know, a dropmember will move the crossmember 1" forward...)

[FnLow69]

I ran into this problem but mines doored. I'm just shaving the firewall back like you mentioned....

[jlaird]

funny you responded. I've been waiting to see yours finished. I was looking at your post last night to see if you made any progress yet.

Here is what I am thinking...I think the completely flat look is a bit plain, so I was going to make a step with a bead roller where the stock firewall would have previously popped out. Kind of hard to explain but you may get the idea. What do you think?

[XXL]

Originally Posted by jlaird

Here is what I am thinking...I think the completely flat look is a bit plain, so I was going to make a step with a bead roller where the stock firewall would have previously popped out. Kind of hard to explain but you may get the idea. What do you think?

If I understand you right, you're talking about moving the "stock" firewall back to the point where the cowl itself is (??) If you don't mind the loss of floor room, that is not a bad good plan. It's much better, IMO, than carving out wells like I did. However, plan on a bit of a hassle getting all the cab controls back in order-- gas and brake pedals, wiper motor and arms, etc.

Or, if you don't want to go to that kind of effort, the standard trailer fender mod will work... just cut them into the floor/firewall area behind the tire and you'll have the turn clearance you need. I only have 27" tires, so I didn't need much (and now need nothing after having gone to the DM).

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by XXL

If I understand you right, you're talking about moving the "stock" firewall back to the point where the cowl itself is (??) If you don't mind the loss of floor room, that is not a bad good plan. It's much better, IMO, than carving out wells like I did. However, plan on a bit of a hassle getting all the cab controls back in order-- gas and brake pedals, wiper motor and arms, etc.

Or, if you don't want to go to that kind of effort, the standard trailer fender mod will work... just cut them into the floor/firewall area behind the tire and you'll have the turn clearance you need. I only have 27" tires, so I didn't need much (and now need nothing after having gone to the DM).

yes, its the approximately 1" area that pops out(where the factory ran electrical across the firewall.) I've seen a few guys do it here on the boards. It just gets a little too plain looking so I'm going to run some beads. The whole brake assembly is being replaced by an underdash kit, so I wont have to worry about getting the stock stuff back in. I'm going to have to check the wiper motor. I just took it out today. The wiper arms are under the cowl which will not be in the way. I'm also going to get an aftermarket wire harness and mount it in the air vent area so no wires will go through the front of the firewall. I've been trying to find somebody who has some in progress pics of the process, but so far, no luck. Oh well, I aint scared!

[XXL]

Yep, you've got to have some kind of dimensionality to the firewall or it ends up looking like a billboard. Here's a shot of my cab from some time back, showing the wheel notches (and the lines I created/left in the firewall).

[FnLow69]

Originally Posted by jlaird

funny you responded. I've been waiting to see yours finished. I was looking at your post last night to see if you made any progress yet.

Here is what I am thinking...I think the completely flat look is a bit plain, so I was going to make a step with a bead roller where the stock firewall would have previously popped out. Kind of hard to explain but you may get the idea. What do you think?

Ya, no progress lately but i'll be stating back on it soon...stay tuned

i think it should look good, im going to do the flat look because you wont really see it with my ideas for the wheel wells/hood area....

[Rokcrln]

Well I also have 29"+ fronts and a DropMember (C4) and I will still need to cut a bit out to clear tires turning when on the ground. I just picked up my English Wheel and Power bead roller yesterday from Lazze and will be using it on the entire Engine bay once I get to that stage. I have a few builds to do first but it will happen some day

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[smashingchuck]

Kevin-
Are you going to be making some inner fenders with that English wheel?

[jlaird]

Question...I want to order some sheet metal for the firewall. Should I get 16 or 18 gauge? I'm thinking 16...

[smashingchuck]

I would use as thick as possiable... it's structual and you're going to be hanging your master cylinder off it on the inside aren't you? My firewall is 1/8" thick on the driver side.

[jlaird]

yes, I'll definitly reinforce the drivers side where the brake assembly will go.