Fender Trimming Question

[rldoughjr]

cut and go or install flares?

1998 Disco
3" suspension lift
runs fine on street but wheels bind fenders on inclines and flexing
need more room

Did you put in flares or just cut off the excess sheet metal?

Thanks

rdough

 

[Moose]

What size tires?

What do you mean by "did you put in flares"? Flares basically allow you to mount tires that stick out beyond the edge of the fender -- they're not going to cure any rubbing you have.

If it's me, I cut. Hell, I'm going to cut my rear fenders on my truck, and I don't even have any rubbing yet...

 

[rldoughjr]

Cut and Fold?

I would like to not invest $500 in flares.

When you cut, do you fold the excess sheet metal under the fender or do you hack it off and leave a rough edge

 

[Moose]

Cut it with a sawzall or dremel or angle grinder w/ cutting wheel, and then use a dremel with grinding attachment or metal file to smooth the edges. Folding it under it won't be an option if you cut like most people do.

I suppose an alternative would be to use a small metalworking hammer and hammer a fold up -- but then you're going to trap mud and other crap in there.

Just cut it. If you don't cut enough the first time, cut a little more. Use a ramp, or jack, or something to stuff each tire so you can see (without wheeling) how much more is necessary.

 

[Sergei]

There is nothing wrong with cutting aluminium body of Disco.

I have more bloody rust on my 2000 X (with uncut fenders, mind you), that i have it on 1994 Disco. Starting to ponder idea of selling off X and getting another old Disco.. Insurance is less, mileage can be about same, and i can fix 3.9L now in bloody darkness and in middle of nowhere.. (plus one truck can work as donor to other.. ).

You dont want to use tap hammer and stuff b/c you may damage body more than you like.

Dremel is good tool for that job.. There isnt much of cutting to do anyway, unless you got yourself 33+

 

[Slam]

check out the tech page too. There are a few pics from the galleries of trimmed fenders