I knew that I was going to have MetalTech build me a rear bumper, so I figured I would trim up the rear 1/4 panals about 5" to give them a straight shot to the frame for my side protection. That and I figured since Nay copied my front bumper, I would copy something he did!
I cut them up and welded sheet metal to the bottom to seal it off. I also took this time to cut my rear fenders up as high as I could without building new inner fenders and welded them up:
While I had the welder out and set up to sheet metal, I decided to do the "MetalTech style" fender trimming on the front. Here is the link to Mark doing this on his 80: https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/88594-cutting-fenders-paint-cm06.html . My passenger side fender was pretty bent up, so I got one off of a truck that Eric (Generic) was parting out. I cut 3" out of the wheel opening, then "pizza sliced" the inner fender and bent them up to match the outer fender. Then I welded a long strip of sheet metal to the bottom to seal it up and make the fender more ridged. Don't laugh at my welds, this is the first time I've ever welded sheet metal.
Eric was also nice enough to sell me a new rear tailgate, as mine was really bent... It was to the point where nothing sealed and the tailgate was starting to pull itself apart. I know that a lot of guys just brace it with a piece of 1/4" alum, but I'm cheap. I decided to copy what this guy did with his 60: https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/102938-tailgate-storage-box.html . I used 1/8" thick 1.5" angle and 1/8" 1" square tubing. Eventually I will put doors on it and use it as storage for my first aid kit and TP... This setup was able to pull the tailgate back straight and make it really strong. I attached the welded frame to the tailgate with a crap-ton of rivits. Overall, I'm extreamly impressed with the way it turned out.
I cut them up and welded sheet metal to the bottom to seal it off. I also took this time to cut my rear fenders up as high as I could without building new inner fenders and welded them up:
While I had the welder out and set up to sheet metal, I decided to do the "MetalTech style" fender trimming on the front. Here is the link to Mark doing this on his 80: https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/88594-cutting-fenders-paint-cm06.html . My passenger side fender was pretty bent up, so I got one off of a truck that Eric (Generic) was parting out. I cut 3" out of the wheel opening, then "pizza sliced" the inner fender and bent them up to match the outer fender. Then I welded a long strip of sheet metal to the bottom to seal it up and make the fender more ridged. Don't laugh at my welds, this is the first time I've ever welded sheet metal.
Eric was also nice enough to sell me a new rear tailgate, as mine was really bent... It was to the point where nothing sealed and the tailgate was starting to pull itself apart. I know that a lot of guys just brace it with a piece of 1/4" alum, but I'm cheap. I decided to copy what this guy did with his 60: https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/102938-tailgate-storage-box.html . I used 1/8" thick 1.5" angle and 1/8" 1" square tubing. Eventually I will put doors on it and use it as storage for my first aid kit and TP... This setup was able to pull the tailgate back straight and make it really strong. I attached the welded frame to the tailgate with a crap-ton of rivits. Overall, I'm extreamly impressed with the way it turned out.
( but it's easy spend the mates money 
so buy 37" lol )
