Fender Trimming tips....

[ericpost]

Oh boy here we go....

I started this project knowing I was going to do this to my rig but now I have the hives thinking I'm gonna screwup chopping a mint 72 GMC Jimmy. I've customized a number of real nice vehicles with not even a second thought but for what ewver reason I'm a little nervous going into this.

Looking for tips to trim the front and rear fenders. I've got the required tools for cutting: plasma and die grinder but I think I lack the tools to properly finish the edges. I'd like to roll the edges over to make a 1/2" lip thinking that this would provide a ridged and finished fender again but I'm not sure how to do that with you average set of old guy workshop tools. I've actually thought of welding in a formed piece of flatstock as well.

Any suggestions? I know it is for wheeling and this may seem over the top but nobody says I can't have a well done wheeling rig right?

Also if the above turns out to be a bust does anyone have some recommendations on fender flairs? No looking for anything gaudy just simple and fuctional in that it hides the chop job.

[dammitmitchell]

burt4x4 did his...
he would be the best (in my opinion) to take advice from...
he did a damn good job.. (just a little jealous)

[ericpost]

I just ordered some JC Whitney Surface mount Flex Flares. I also got some advise to just cut the fender and spot weld in some flatstock to add some ridgidty back. The one last thig I have to work out is the inner fender cutting and forming for the front.

[Burt4x4]

I just cut the front fangs off and 'tips' of my wheel wells were the tires touched. I did not roll the cut sheet metal. Then I cut out my rockers and pushed a 2"x3" square tubing in it's place for rock sliders.

VT & Greg72 ARE the body masters!!

[ericpost]

I'd really like a few pictures of those Rocker/Rockslides!

[Burt4x4]

Sorry no pics of the underside, I basically welded it to the rocker box.

[ericpost]

Geez from your avatr it looks like you passed up a perfect opportunity to get a few shots of the underside!

Thanks the Pics are helpful, I was wondering if I should just weld sliders to the boxes, now I have my answer.

I cut the back of my rear fender yesterday, Used an electric shear to nibble about 3 inches from the bottom most rear and tried to blend it into the fender line about 8 inches up. I then used some heat on the inner fender and banged it flush with my outer. I plan to spot weld in a little material where there is a gap between them. I'll post up a few pics when I get it done.