Fender Trimming

Front Range 4x4 · 07-08-09, 08:53 AM

Hi all, I've searched through the forum and read a whole lot but haven't been able to find what I'm looking for yet. I'm going to do some front fender trimming to clear my 35's and want to keep the wheel well liners. How have people done this? Pics appreciated since the only body work I've done was via trees and rocks.

For a visual that's to Weak-Link for this pic.

brokenparts · 07-08-09, 08:56 AM

how professional does it need to be? An easy low tech way to do it is just to make some relief cuts in the liner and then bend back the liner to fit.

Mace · 07-08-09, 09:06 AM

You end up plating the inner fenderwell with a new piece. It comes out pretty clean if you do that.

Front Range 4x4 · 07-08-09, 10:29 AM

Plating makes sense, how should it attach to the cut fender?

kling-on · 07-08-09, 11:01 AM

Texas4x4.org Member Galleries :: Kool Arrow

I slotted mine and used 1/4 i round stock welded to the edge worked great I could of made it look better but mines a trail beater

a little filler and it woulda looked great

5 roll over later they still look great

Front Range 4x4 · 07-08-09, 11:58 AM

Thanks Kling-on! I remember seeing yours and thinking it was a good way to do it but couldn't find it when I was searching. So you just cut the body, slotted the liner, banged it in to place and welded it up?

kling-on · 07-08-09, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Front Range 4x4

Thanks Kling-on! I remember seeing yours and thinking it was a good way to do it but couldn't find it when I was searching. So you just cut the body, slotted the liner, banged it in to place and welded it up?

YUP the 1/4 in round stock made it real strong too I wish I had gone all the way to the top of the inner fender cause they rub now

Front Range 4x4 · 07-08-09, 12:48 PM

Thanks for the info man! I don't think I'll have any rubbing, you run a bit larger than I do.

me_tu05 · 07-09-09, 01:18 AM

I think the 1/4 round stock is the way to go, otherwise you can end up with this kind of bodywork.

here are some pics of how I did my chop

Front Range 4x4 · 07-09-09, 08:34 AM

Thanks me_tu05, I had copies of your pics on my computer, I like the way you did that. Did you run into any problems other than tearing the hole?

ChaseK · 07-09-09, 11:00 AM

That's how I'm gonna do mine. It's stretched 4" in the front so I'm gonna trim all the way around to under the head lights and use some 1/4" round rod and weld it on there.

Thanks for the pics guys. Good thread too.

boots4 · 07-09-09, 11:30 AM

I too used the 1/4" rod to get a clean and strong line. Here's some pics of the trimming.

Driver cut, rod shaped, tacked together.

This is before cleaning up anything.

Passenger trim

Used a hole in a frame to shape my 1/4" rod. It bends by hand.

Driver cleaned up.

Well attatched but not filled yet.

I used the metal off the pieces I cut off to fill the gaps on the wells.

Tacked the pieces in, sealed the welds with seam sealer and tried some texture and paint.

ChaseK · 07-09-09, 12:48 PM

Really clean trim Boots.

so you cut the left over fender peice and welded it inside where the inner fender had gaps?

What kinda seam sealer did you use? And who makes that textured paint?

Thanks

freds40 · 07-09-09, 01:25 PM

I plan to box mine in like others have. I'll get to it eventually.

me_tu05 · 07-09-09, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Front Range 4x4

Thanks me_tu05, I had copies of your pics on my computer, I like the way you did that. Did you run into any problems other than tearing the hole?

I found I needed an extra set of hands when welding it in some spots. Other than that and the rip I haven't had any problems yet. I think when I get back to Honolulu I'll be adding some reinforcement to the edge of the fender. I also found that a pneumatic nibbler was a huge time saver when slicing the fenders up.

boots4 · 07-09-09, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseK

Really clean trim Boots.

so you cut the left over fender piece and welded it inside where the inner fender had gaps?

What kinda seam sealer did you use? And who makes that textured paint?

Thanks

Thanks and Yes to your first question. You can kinda see them in the painted pic. They line up with the well bolts.

I'll direct you to page 20 where I explained the trial and what I did to get texture and what sealer I used.

Family Haulin' page 20

ChaseK · 07-09-09, 06:43 PM

Thanks man. Yeah I clicked on your build after I posted that an read a few pages. Looks like about how I want mine minus the diesel.

Front Range 4x4 · 07-09-09, 06:57 PM

Thanks everyone for such a great response and great pics! No doubt I'll be doing mine now and will use the .250 round as well. If mine could come out half as nice as yours Boots I'd be thrilled. I know it won't simply because it's not starting out looking as good.

boots4 · 07-09-09, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Front Range 4x4

If mine could come out half as nice as yours Boots I'd be thrilled. I know it won't simply because it's not starting out looking as good.

You're funny, white just hides the dents better.

Tapage · 07-09-09, 10:03 PM

with those fender trim mine looks like baby cuts ..

Front Range 4x4 · 07-11-09, 05:23 PM

Thanks again guys for the inspiration. I couldn't decide which way to go, like weak-link or like me_tu05, so I did one side each way.

I just did the cutting & bending so they aren't done but they're well on their way.

kling-on · 07-13-09, 04:33 PM

LOOKIN GOOD

ElliottB · 07-13-09, 05:05 PM

That does look really nice.

BTW, if you chop it up and end up with a wrinkly fender you can always bolt on some fender flares. There are plenty of smaller ones that give a nice touch. I think older pathfinder flares have a very similar line as the 60 series fenders.

Front Range 4x4 · 07-13-09, 06:27 PM

Finished it up today, very happy with it and not anywhere as hard as I thought it would be. Thanks to everyone for the help and inspiration.

Psst, Elliot. If you're ever looking for some people that wheel come on over to Front Range 4x4 where we do lots of runs. You could even bring the Cherokee (unlike some other Denver clubs)

Dirtgypsy · 07-13-09, 06:28 PM

I like the lines of a chopped fender but would love to see it done to look like factory. I know it would require a lot of time and energy but to me worth it.

Hi jack: what wheels are those? I like em' !

Clint

Front Range 4x4 · 07-13-09, 06:35 PM

You just need to find someone with a fender roller to put that look back on after chopping. Any custom body shop could do it if you're willing to pay. Another thought would be welding/splicing what a couple people cut off.

My wheels? I have no idea, got them with 35" tires for $300 on Craigslist. I'm guessing they're old American racing.

me_tu05 · 07-13-09, 11:37 PM

Looks better than mine!!!! Hope they last longer too.

rover67 · 07-20-09, 05:45 PM

Looks really slick Chris!

Now I am tempted to do that to mine!!!!!

I like it!

Front Range 4x4 · 07-20-09, 05:53 PM

Go for it Marco! I was very reluctant to take an angle grinder to mine but that's all I had. It's not the most sophisticated tool but once I made that first cut it was pretty easy and plain old fun!

Oh yeah, and I don't think I'll have any rubbing now either.

GLTHFJ60 · 07-20-09, 09:28 PM

Sexy. This is coming up on my list of things to do.