Widening wheel wells - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Frosty · 05-06-2008, 08:33 PM

I've been doing some thinking and that can only mean one thing... Trouble.

I was playing with the idea of removing the 3 inch spacers from the body lift. The problem with that is I really like the fatty tires that I have on there and they would seriously rub on the body.
Has anyone widened the wheels wells? And what is the largest tire that will fit in there? Any advice?

Frosty · 05-07-2008, 06:47 PM

I guess it's not a very popular idea.

SCOTI · 05-07-2008, 08:26 PM

Guys do it to the rear wheel well opening on drag cars all the time to fit taller tires/slicks.

Most 4x4's just notch the area that might make contact when the suspension compresses. You could stretch them like drag racers for a more professional appearance but it will cost proportionally to the quality of the job. Drag racers cut the entire wheel lip off, cut it in the middle, move the outer sections farther apart, then add material to the center (usually this replacement material is from a donor vehicle/patch panel). Weld it up, body-work, & paint.

Frosty · 05-08-2008, 06:56 PM

I see what you're saying, Scoti. The rear has tons of room but the front will need something done to it. I don't think I'm ready to stretch the front out or move the side marker.
One of the previous owners just bent the part of the fender that was rubbing making a nice cup for rust to start.

What is the largest tire we can put on without rubbing?

SCOTI · 05-08-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frosty

I see what you're saying, Scoti. The rear has tons of room but the front will need something done to it. I don't think I'm ready to stretch the front out or move the side marker.
One of the previous owners just bent the part of the fender that was rubbing making a nice cup for rust to start.

What is the largest tire we can put on without rubbing?

You could try pie cutting from top to bottom & widen the edges out slightly vs. the entire wheel-well.

Not sure on the tallest tire.... sorry.

LONGHAIR · 05-09-2008, 02:11 AM

A company called "BushWhacker" makes fender flares that are designed for cutting out the openings. They give you quite a bit of space. Google the name, I'm sure you will get something.

Frosty · 05-09-2008, 07:02 PM

Thanks Longhair! I forgot about them. I hope they go back to my year. I'll let you know.

05-06-2008, 08:33 PM	#1
Frosty Under desk Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Castle Rock, Colorado Posts: 64	Widening wheel wells I've been doing some thinking and that can only mean one thing... Trouble. I was playing with the idea of removing the 3 inch spacers from the body lift. The problem with that is I really like the fatty tires that I have on there and they would seriously rub on the body. Has anyone widened the wheels wells? And what is the largest tire that will fit in there? Any advice? __________________ Frosty Smith 1979 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd diesel that now has a 1976 Firebird V8 engine and is a 4X4 with a 7inch lift. The real question is would I have still bought it if I had known all this...

05-07-2008, 06:47 PM	#2
Frosty Under desk Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Castle Rock, Colorado Posts: 64	Re: Widening wheel wells I guess it's not a very popular idea. __________________ Frosty Smith 1979 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd diesel that now has a 1976 Firebird V8 engine and is a 4X4 with a 7inch lift. The real question is would I have still bought it if I had known all this...

05-07-2008, 08:26 PM	#3
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,964	Re: Widening wheel wells Guys do it to the rear wheel well opening on drag cars all the time to fit taller tires/slicks. Most 4x4's just notch the area that might make contact when the suspension compresses. You could stretch them like drag racers for a more professional appearance but it will cost proportionally to the quality of the job. Drag racers cut the entire wheel lip off, cut it in the middle, move the outer sections farther apart, then add material to the center (usually this replacement material is from a donor vehicle/patch panel). Weld it up, body-work, & paint. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

05-08-2008, 06:56 PM	#4
Frosty Under desk Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Castle Rock, Colorado Posts: 64	Re: Widening wheel wells I see what you're saying, Scoti. The rear has tons of room but the front will need something done to it. I don't think I'm ready to stretch the front out or move the side marker. One of the previous owners just bent the part of the fender that was rubbing making a nice cup for rust to start. What is the largest tire we can put on without rubbing? __________________ Frosty Smith 1979 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd diesel that now has a 1976 Firebird V8 engine and is a 4X4 with a 7inch lift. The real question is would I have still bought it if I had known all this...

05-09-2008, 02:11 AM	#6
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: Widening wheel wells A company called "BushWhacker" makes fender flares that are designed for cutting out the openings. They give you quite a bit of space. Google the name, I'm sure you will get something.

05-09-2008, 07:02 PM	#7
Frosty Under desk Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Castle Rock, Colorado Posts: 64	Re: Widening wheel wells Thanks Longhair! I forgot about them. I hope they go back to my year. I'll let you know. __________________ Frosty Smith 1979 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd diesel that now has a 1976 Firebird V8 engine and is a 4X4 with a 7inch lift. The real question is would I have still bought it if I had known all this...



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