Cutting and fender flares

SomeCrew · Post by **SomeCrew** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 8:29 am

Alright, well the flares on your truck now, did you make those yourself?

Split topic-HJ

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 8:40 am

SomeCrew wrote:Alright, well the flares on your truck now, did you make those yourself?

Nope. They are modified Bushwacker extend-a-fender flares.

Fender Flares
and from the modifications page on the S-10CREWCAB.COM website-
Bushwacker Extend-a-fender Flares

SomeCrew · Post by **SomeCrew** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 9:06 am

Did you have to modify the front and back or just the back? And were the fenders made for a regular s-10?

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 9:14 am

Check out the links in the above post...all those questions and more are answered.

SomeCrew · Post by **SomeCrew** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 9:32 am

Rock on, thanks HJ.

ChadneyG5 · Post by **ChadneyG5** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 8:28 pm

HJ, I'm probably going to do the bushwacker thing like you have done to get the ZR2 look. Currently I have a body lift, torsion bar crank, and rear shackles; and wear 31x10.5 BFG's. My problem is my truck has the familiar occasional front tire rub when on rough terrain.
Here's my question: Will the bushwackers handle (and cover) a modest cut on the front fender? What I'm talking about is a cut like Hobie's old ride (http://www.s-10crewcab.com/og1/members/ ... biebac.htm).
http://www.s-10crewcab.com/og1/members/ ... tchop1.jpg
Hobie said, "So the solution was simple. I had to chop the fenders. This helped stop rubbing in when turning into steep driveways and such, but they still rub in the off-road. I cut it back 3 times, and the more I cut, the higher up it rubbed. I also took a sledge hammer and hit the inside of the fender and bent alot of it back about an inch. So I stopped cutting and just accepted it. The only time Irub now is when I am going fast and i hit a bump."
I'm just wondering if you think I can chop my fender like that (or perhaps a little more) AND cover it with the Bushwacker flares.
My goal is to be able to fit 32x11.5's upon my next tire purchase.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 8:43 pm

ChadneyG5 wrote:... I'm probably going to do the bushwacker thing like you have done to get the ZR2 look... wear 31x10.5 BFG's...
I'm just wondering if you think I can chop my fender like that (or perhaps a little more) AND cover it with the Bushwacker flares.
My goal is to be able to fit 32x11.5's upon my next tire purchase.

Not a chance.
The BFG's are big for a 31" tire they are going to rub. The Bushwacker flares reduce the size of the front wheel wells by the thickness of the material of which they are made.

32" tires will require some major cutting, or the 6" lift.

My Geolandar AT's are a little smaller than the BFG's and I was only able to make a small cut to aid the clearance-

Now , I am running 1.25" spacers on the front and I am sure that they are not helping matters.

You could probably get away with it, but rubbing will be a real problem. Downsizing the tires would be the best option.

ChadneyG5 · Post by **ChadneyG5** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 9:02 pm

I'm not gonna downsize the tires. That runs counter my redneck DNA. I'd much rather do some serious cutting. I'm sorry to hear that the Bushwackers actually decrease the opening--may necessitate a change of strategy. The suspension lift gets pretty pricy, and I like the look and the ride characteristics of the BL. Do you know if anyone has ever tried to modify the ZR2 flares from a salvage truck to fit ours? I understand the front opening is bigger allowing 32s on the ZR2.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 9:11 pm

You might want to check out this- Trimming

I know that the 2001 Highrider has rubbing issues with the stock BFG's. 32's might be possible with a 2" BL.

The ZR2 flares are not only hard to come by, but horribly expensive. There are some pretty big differences in the fenders and fenderwells from what I understand.
If you had a front clip to install , I'd say modding the rear fenders would not be that bad.
I don't know what the best answer is. Have you checked out Ford F150 flares? You might be able to fit them with some cutting.

bubaloo1983 · Post by **bubaloo1983** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 9:33 pm

cut your fenders like this and you MIGHT be fine with a 32 inch tire with the right back spacing, i cut these just before my lift and i could run 31s wihout rub. 32 you might pull off the fender was cut 1.5 inches and then some grinding and shaping so maybe like 1.7 total after welding

ChadneyG5 · Post by **ChadneyG5** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 12:06 pm

Thanks, HJ. That's a good link. Thanks also for the "outside the box" F-150 thought. I'll check in to it. I'm sure a front clip of a ZR2 and labor would cost much more than even a suspension lift. I've got about 12-14 more months of good tread on my 31s, so I've got some time to do some research.

Bubaloo, have you got more pics of the fender cuts you did (pre suspension lift)?

bubaloo1983 · Post by **bubaloo1983** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 12:31 pm

i dont have any from pre sus but i can take some detailed pics of em and show you what i did ill take them tonight

ChadneyG5 · Post by **ChadneyG5** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 7:14 pm

bubaloo1983 wrote:i dont have any from pre sus but i can take some detailed pics of em and show you what i did ill take them tonight

You're alright (for a Canuck)!

From your pic it looks like you've got BFG's too. Are they 32's? I look forward to seeing more.

bubaloo1983 · Post by **bubaloo1983** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 8:35 pm

hehe my tires are 35s

yeah im a canuck

ill grab you some pics when it stops pouring rain over here. its just coming down and i aint going out there