Fender Cutting Trac/Kick

[Calrunner]

Looking for some info on how to cut my fenders and have them still look good?Also if there are any cut out flares available for trac/kicks?Pics would be great if you have them.

[Whitfield]

If I were to do it on a clean truck, I'd cut 2" above the original stock wheel openings.

You will still have to deal with the inner fenders in the rear but should just avoid the gas fill on the passenger side.  Also 2" should more closely match the inner fender / wheel well, lines up front.

This is 2 5/8" cut.  I took the front straight to the grill because the fenders were already bent up from a prior incident the PO had.

I masked the lines with tape and then cut with HVAC type sheet metal shears (Big siccors)  Green handle = left   Red = right.   This matters beacuse they crimp and roll the cut on different sides.

[Digger]

When cutting the back, be prepared with a plan for re-attaching the inner fender to the outer quaterpanel skin because you will be cutting the pinch weld that holds them together off... I haven't seen any specific for Tracker cut-out flares, but stock plastic sammi flares look pretty cool on there... as soon as I get a set and get them on, I'll post some pics...

[CurreyRob]

My method for cutting fenders ...

mark the eventual arch I want with masking tape.
cut the fender to about 1/2"-3/4" short of that line.
grab the "lip" about 1/4" from the line with some pliers and start bending it back into the opening.

If the arch is pretty tight (on track/kicks it is), you may have to cut in some relief cuts to the leftover lip (keep the relief at least 3/8" from the resulting line).

This results in a nice lip form inside your fender well. I'd suggest getting soemone to tack together the inner and outter sheet and fill in the reliefs. Also give everything a good covering with primer to protect the areas where the job exposed bare metal.

If you need/want flares, check out jc whitney, they have some flexible cut to length flare material.

Here's a pic of my right rear on the 2dr after a trim (opened only about 1").

[CurreyRob]

Here's the LH rear showing the "new" lip

[Whitfield]

How about a fender trimming sticky.   

I think it needs to be able to be in an open form where it can be posted to and discussed.

I like what I've seen so far with Rob's but it is still nothing I'd attempt on a vehicle I was making payments on. 

Still wondering what Shrock has done.  His looked super clean.   Need a tool to re-roll / crimp the lip.

[stillkickn]

Good idea for a sticky.  People seem so scared of the whole fender trimming thing.  I personally would trim out the fenders on a truck way before I'd put on a body lift. 

I like what I've seen so far with Rob's but it is still nothing I'd attempt on a vehicle I was making payments on. 

I cut my rear fenders on my Vitara when it was only two years old and I'm still making payments on it.  Maybe I'm kinda crazy... but no one can tell they've been trimmed.  I used a dremel tool and cut along lines I made with tape, then filled in the gap between the metal with fiberglass and sanded it then painted it with a small paint brush.  I took an inch and a half off the front of the fender and left the top and back alone. 

I cringe everytime I hear someone making a comment about using a sawzall in their truck.  NO NO NO!  A dremel tool with a small cutting wheel makes it so easy to make a clean cut.

[Whitfield]

To begin with, I used a 3 pronged air chissel on the rear.  Talk about violent / cringe. 

I went back and cleaned it up with the shears.   Now I just need to get around to fixing the inners and fuel fill (I chopped the lower front corner out).

[CurreyRob]

Here's a link to the flares at JC Whitney
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Search?catalogId=10101&storeId=10101&sku=Rubber+Fender+Extensions+

I've seen this used and works good. I got a roll (25') of the 3" standard duty ($50), just haven't installed it.

[LilRed]

flares at JC Whitney


I've seen this used and works good. I got a roll (25') of the 3" standard duty ($50), just haven't installed it.

    Can you post pics when you get it installed?  I've been thinking about these myself but want to see what it looks like first.

[CurreyRob]

    Can you post pics when you get it installed?  I've been thinking about these myself but want to see what it looks like first.

could be a while ... I thought I might use them on the 2dr, but not really been needed ... the 4dr tho might get them after it's surgery ....

[SiKiD_01]

To begin with, I used a 3 pronged air chissel on the rear.  Talk about violent / cringe. 

I went back and cleaned it up with the shears.   Now I just need to get around to fixing the inners and fuel fill (I chopped the lower front corner out).

i've wanted to cut the rear guards on my swb, but havent been sure on how to go about the fuel filler area. what did you do, and how did it turn out? can you post up some pics please?

thanks

[Uncivilized]

To begin with, I used a 3 pronged air chissel on the rear.  Talk about violent / cringe. 

I went back and cleaned it up with the shears.   Now I just need to get around to fixing the inners and fuel fill (I chopped the lower front corner out).

Did you get any pics of your rear job yet?

[Whitfield]

Not yet, Too much going on to get it finishede up.  It clears the 33" tires but the inners need to be reconnected, finished & smoothed. 

O hate to get any pics now as ugly as it is.  If I get around it with the camera I'll snap a few.

[CurreyRob]

Thought I'd share some pics of the cut up I did on the 4dr this weekend ...
Note, I haven't done any body lift yet, and the tires are 31x10.50's

here's the cut viewed from the side


Here's a pic of the cuts and bending done to get just to the main body (could bash some more room, but BL should eliminate that need)


I'll put hammer and dolly to the fender some more to get the lip better, but going to wait for the final touches until I've done the BL. Also will get some undercoat in when it's ready.