Bushwacker Cut Out Flares

[Bob Chayer]

Has anyone used Bushwacker Cut Out Flares on a 73-91 Blazer? Any idea how big of a tire will fit with no lift? I'm just going over my options before I get started on the new project. Thanks!

[Bob Chayer]

Anyone?

[uncle_handsome]

I've heard rumors that the 73-87 pickups can take a 33x12.5" tire in stock form so your Blazer probably can too. The "problem" could be in just getting the correct backspacing... I also hope someone here has a better answer than I do!

[special-K]

On my`90 I have 12.50/33s on 10" rims.I had the spring shop"level"up the front.They arched and added a leaf to get it up 1-2".I installed Bushwacker Extend-a-flares to cover tires and to give a more sporty wide and stable look.They`ve rubbed on angle changes while turning but never bad enough to damage anything.8" rims would make a better fit and wouldn`t need spring work.But Blazers come somewhat nose-down and look/handle better with the nose brought up to level.

[4x4Poet]

Originally Posted by uncle_handsome

I've heard rumors that the 73-87 pickups can take a 33x12.5" tire in stock form so your Blazer probably can too. The "problem" could be in just getting the correct backspacing... I also hope someone here has a better answer than I do!

With all due respect, kind sir, the better answer is no.

At least for 73-87 GM full size 4x4s. My dad had a '77 4x4 Jimmy with a 3" lift and 33-12.50-15s on 8" rims with stock backspacing. The front tires, when turned and stuffed off road, would rip off the front fenders' chrome edge moulding, usually at the rear edge. He didn't have extended bump stops though, so maybe one could claim mis-installation. But I don't see how in this case, since stock springs would also use stock bumpstops. Maybe the longer lift springs allowed more rearward travel of the front springs. Big maybe.

[special-K]

Bob Chayer,maybe you should tell us your intended use.My answer was based on my wife`s daily-driver that we don`t use for any serious off-road 4wheeling.With cut-outs you won`t need a lift to run 12.50/33s,regardless.

[uncle_handsome]

Thanks 4x4 Poet!

[Cethern]

Well On my 83 K10 4X4 I had 33/12.5 with no lift on stock wheels and light wheeling I didn't have a problem.
With my 83 K5 I had 35/12.5 on 15/10's and 2.5in lift All I had to do was trim the front fenders a little. Even though I didn't wheel the real hard core trials I didn't have a problem with tire rub.
Heres a pic of my old K5. I would guess that if you use the cut outs you could get by with 35's without a lift.

[Bob Chayer]

Thanks for the info! My Blazer is an M1009 military rig with a 6.2/th400/np208. I would like to keep the center of gravity as low as possible and keep the military springs. They are double wrapped at the ends in the front and 3/4 ton in the rear. The truck handles very well now and I would like to keep the steering as close to stock as possible. I plan on using it for camping fishing and moderate 4 wheeling. I don't plan on "rock crawling" but we have some rugged trails in my neck of the woods mixed with some mud. (and snow!) I was thinking about trying the bushwackers with 35x14.5 x15 on 10 inch rims with the stock back spacing. This may be way to wide. The 35x10.5.15 on 10" may fit better or maybe even the stock 8'' rim would work with these tires. I plan on using the swamper boggers. This may cause its own set of problems because of the way the lugs hang out on the tire. I might want to stick with the ol' stand by 35x12.5 x15 BFG's. I'm not sure how much the Bushwacker cut outs open the fender opening or how much they stick out from stock to cover wider tires. Anyone know? I would like to see the tires go out to the outside edge of the flare and remain just legal.

Cethern, thanks for the pic. What tires are you running? What size rim and backspacing and how far do they stick out past the front fenders? I like the way your truck sits and the fact that you have minimal lift.

What do ya guys think? Thanks again for your help and sorry for the huge amount of questions. I am new to the 73-91 Blazers. Most of the other trucks I've worked with are in the 72 and older range!

[4x4Poet]

Originally Posted by Cethern

Well On my 83 K10 4X4 I had 33/12.5 with no lift on stock wheels and light wheeling I didn't have a problem....

My dad did do some fairly heavy wheeling during annual hunting trips above the Book Cliffs near Rifle, CO. and in the Sierras.

Bob Chayer, I think you have your head on straight with this one. Trying to keep that tough military truck on stock, heavy duty springs despite larger tires is definately the way to go. Whether thru cut out flares or lower fender trimming, when you're done, you'll have one tough rig with a low COG (center of gravity) and minimal cost expended ($$$ saved on lift springs, longer shocks, etc.). And you'll retain the stock handling and steering geometry. Smart thinking. Now, if only someone with 73-87 Bushwacker flares experience will post up.

BTW, from your first post I didn't realize you had a milspec rig. I've driven GMC M880s & M885s. I think they and the milspec Blazers have a little lift over civilian stock versions. At the very least, the heavy duty springs hold stock ride height long after civilian versions with lighter duty springs have sagged some. So you may not need that much trimming to make 35s fit. I'm trying to picture 14.50" wide tires on that rig. Flares would likely be a must. I imagine painting them OD or wooland camo to match would add to the milspec truck's tough stance. One last bit of advice. Whatever you decide, make your fender openings allow for full articulation, even if you envision only moderate wheeling. Having fenders unexpectently cut 35" tires gets expensive real quick.

[special-K]

Those springs will be tighter(stiffer)than civvys.The 10.50/35s on your 8"rims would be cool.I don`t think you`ll"fill-out"cut-out flares with those,though.Probably 2"lift/trimmed fenders would do it.Or,there are widened/enlarged opening fiberglass fenders made for desert racing.I have web addresses.For wider 35s consider at least 2"raised.Whatever tou do keep the serious biz GI look and give us pictures.My son has an M1009 we want to tweek.I`m pretty big on that early GM diesel stuff.

[Cethern]

Bob
The tires I had on Blackie were BFG AT's 35/12.5 on 15x10 with a 3.5 of backspacing. the backs didn't stick out the fronts only a 1.5 maybe...

I should show you the pic of a 14in wheel/tire mounted on Blackie. talk about funny..

[Bob Chayer]

Thanks for the insight. I called Bushwacker and tried to get the size of the flares. I was put on hold and then transfered to voice mail several times. I was not happy. Plus the hard wheelers on colorado k5 say they break when they hit things.

So.....if I mounted the 35x10.5s on stock 7" rims do you think this would help some with the clearence problems?

Also do you think BFGs 33x9.5s would fit with no mods? I saw the other post and started thinking. (allways dangerous!)

4x4Poet....I think it does sit a little higher than the civ models. This should help in the build up. I'm going to change to outside back to OD green (the inside is still correct). The police Department I got it from had to paint it, you guessed it, BLUE.

special-K....I too like the diesel stuff. Can you believe 18 to 20 MPG!

Cethern....Lets see those pics!

Thanks again and I'll try to get some pics!

[4x4Poet]

Go camo with some rough-textured paint you won't mind scratching.

[Destructo]

Heres how close my 33x12.5" Radial tires come to my fenders when flexed out and turned, they don't hit but if I was moving and flexed out all the way I could possibly rub the fenders, but the lips on the bottom have already been beat back just a little.

It has Military springs in the front (double wrap, 3 leaf) and the wheels are 15x8" with 3.75" BSing.

[Cethern]

A few years ago I was planning on taking the ex out for some light wheeling and to try out my new Fly rod... That was the plan I took a wrong turn and as I was going back the way I came I hit a tree branch along side the trail it cut my side wall with a 5in slice. Well I didn't have a spare So I thought I would play MacGyver. My big idea was to patch the slice so I had some blue permatex and some kinda rubber stuff..Well so I plaster blue crap on the inside thinking that the air pressure would hold it in place I got it ready let it sit I go to air it up and I had forgot my air hose at home...In the mean time the Ex had been looking around and found a Cabin so I go looking around this place and find a Old garden hose and with some MacGyver-ing I get it work as My air hose and my ARB compressor doesn't have enough of a burst to set the bead so I get the idea of using Ether I have never used ether to do this but I know it will work..And it does but it also set the blue crap on fire so my patch lasted 15sec before it went up in flame... After a lot of choice words I go back to this cabin and find a trailer a ford. I forget the name of it but it was the mini truck before the Ranger. anyway It has 6 lug woohoo I'm back in the game. and we get to go home. (By this time the Ex and her little girl are getting worried)
Well I took the spare from this trialer I went to but it on and it won't fit it hit the brake caliper. and I see it's a 14in wheel. After looking at it I put it on backwards. I added a little air and off we went for a little while. when I put the wheel on this way I didn't think about the valve stem it hit the caliper everytime around, So after a time it gave out. I ran it as far as I could before I got to black top. When we did stop it was in front of a house that had soem old Chevys and a very cool man gave me a tire to get home on.
After that I always have my spare and my air hose..

[784X4GUY]

Man that sucks good thing there are still some good people left in this world...Later Mike

[special-K]

Ford Courier(Mazda).No lift needed there/great clearance!

[kamikazegmc]

i know that u can fit 33/10.50 on 5"x8" w/ 4.5 backspacing. no lift, no triming, nothing