37s Fender Hackery

[chris989]

Hello all,

I thought i would share a few pics of the scrap metal I am making. I found a set of fenders at my junk yard so i thought i would give this a try.. I want to run 37s to get rid of some gear or at least go back to 35s.

I have a 2 inch lift and do not want to go higher so i am trying to modify the fenders and keep them looking OE as possible. I shortened the front 3 3/4 inches.

[chris989]

For the rear i took out a 1 3/4 wedge. It will be a while until i get to the body work part of it.

Just thought I would throw it out there. I have a set of 38x14.5 to test with.

Chris

[c10hevy]

Looks great so far! interested in the final product!

[79vette]

Looks good! I'm also interested to see them on the truck.

[chris989]

I went 1 3/4" in the rear and kept the inner fender support in tack. I am thinking i can bend the inner fender rearwards and bolt it back to the original location.

This is the limitation,, If it does not clear I will hack the other side a different way. I should have been more careful when cutting the inside so the gaps were not so large.

If this works,, I will most likely do my original fenders with more finesse.

[chris989]

Just got back from a trip to the Oregon Coast and had a few minutes to butcher the fender some more.

I thought I would have a little more clearance in the rear,, I wish I had not finished the welds. I should have left them tacked so i could cut some more.

Anyway,, Tomorrow I will swap in a 38x14.50 KM2 and see where it fails.

[chris989]

wheels turned to where they have the least clearance, The tires are 285/75/17s.. About 34"

[chris989]

It all clears. I am not going to run 38s I was curious if they would fit. Not for crawling but so far nothing has rubbed.

[mongocanfly]

That looks great .!!!!!!!

[chris989]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

That looks great .!!!!!!!

Thanks,

I wont run the 38s, They have to go back on my truck. Most likey I will run 37 falkens. With the size of the truck it really need at least 35s.

With the 38x14.50 I am not sure what it would do full flex.

[chris989]

Hello all,

After running the 37's for a few weeks i decided to modify my 89 original fender.

I changed the way i did it and i think it is easier. It may sacrifice 1/4" of clearance. I did not cut the inner side if the fender at all so the relief cut is limited to the factory location of the metal inner fender well.

Measure and cut just like i did the first time only this time I took the outer skin off so i could cut the inside wedge out.

[chris989]

here is a better picture and what it looks like put back together

[chris989]

there are some other areas to rebuild like the bottom edge of the fender but you get the idea.

I have the very basics of body tools and skills so this can be done by anyone.

The inner fender bolts to the original spot with no modification.

If anyone is in Idaho and want the old fenders PM me, I was going to list them on CL.

Chris

[mongocanfly]

I was telling a buddy of mine about your fender mods.. he told me yrs ago he stretched the front and back fender wells 4in or so...said he cut center of tire and move the secton back...then welded in a filler piece in the center..sorry , he said he didnt have any pics
Heres sorta what he did

[chris989]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

I was telling a buddy of mine about your fender mods.. he told me yrs ago he stretched the front and back fender wells 4in or so...said he cut center of tire and move the secton back...then welded in a filler piece in the center..sorry , he said he didnt have any pics
Heres sorta what he did

I think i may have read a post somewhere,, that looks familiar.

I wanted to keep it as easy as possible since I am no body/fender guy. The way i did the second set, (white fenders) was super easy. Not messing with the inner wells make i bolt easily back in place.

If i were trying to run more tire or crawl it would need to go bigger but for my tail rig it seams to clear very well.

I will try to rattle can them today,, I will post a finished pic when I am done.

Chris

[Willowrun]

I think it looks great. Nice work.

[chris989]

here is is sort of finished, I will block it better when i paint the whole truck next winter.

[mongocanfly]

Looks good !!!!

[Thealien]

Impressive, looks factory!