Fender Trimming

[MSSLGECKO]

A couple of questions about trimming on my 83 wagon. I want to get some 27" SSR's but I'm going to have to trim for them. I've got a 3" lift so that will help, but I have a couple of questions:

 

*From what I've read, I only need to worry about trimming the front wheel wells, is this correct?

*Will I need to trim the rear of the front wheel well as well as the front or just the front?

*I don't have propper tools. What is the most economical way to get this done? A. Buy tools (w/ money I don't have) or B. Go to a body shop and have them do it. (w/ money I don't have)

 

Thanks,

[subaruloverbrad]

I used a jig saw to cut mine in back, front sawzall, but could have used a jig saw on front also i belive. Want to make the fender wells stronger after cutting in rear, buy a couple to four cans of "great stuff" canned foam and fill the fenders up with that after uoy cut them, it will save you from having to weld any supports into the well and keeps water out. Just dont get any on anything you dont want it on, hard to get off, cover the tire and ground, really expands.

[MSSLGECKO]

Jig Saw, huh. That sounds like something I've got.

Is it very necessary to reinforce the trimmed fenders? I don't have stock bumpers attached to the side so, I'm not concerned about the stiffness there if that's the reason for concern about reinforcement.

But I am still not sure if I NEED to trim the rear of the wheel wells. Anyone?

 

On another note, I'm trying to figure out how much to trim the fronts. Most people trim at or behind the bumper, but like I said, I don't have one. I don't want to trim so high that it looks weird and looking at the car, trimming won't change anything that I can tell as far as touching the ground offroading. I'm thinking that just trimming along the lower crease line for the bumper would be enough because anything above that seems pointless.

[GeneralDisorder]

You shouldn't have to trim the front at all really - but it looks better if you cut the fenders up a ways. With 27's, you will have to BEAT, not trim inside the wheel well where the body seam is on the inside rear. Remove the plastic liner, and you will see. You may have to trim a bit too in order to clear them for turning, but it won't be much with 27's. I had to trim a little to clear 28's on 15" rims, but mosty I had to beat the hell out of the front wheel wells. I had to beat so much that when I was done, the front doors didn't close right anymore. I had to put a jack under them and straighten em out again.

 

GD

[MSSLGECKO]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm kind of opposed to foaming the car as it is. Thanks for sharing the experience. I suppose I will talk w/ some shops about trim jobs.

 

Does anybody want to chime in on their trim jobs? What does it take to put in 27"ers?

 

Thanks,

[MSSLGECKO]

Thanks GD, that helps a bunch.

 

I guess I'll just toss them on then go from there. It'll be a little bit before I get $, though.

[ru4x4ever]

Before i got my lift all i trimmed was the bottom half of the front fender here is the older pic before my lift:brow: all we used was a cut off wheel or grinder with a thin cut off disk:banana:

 

http://usmb.net/gallery/album173/passenger_front_fender_new

 

-Sean

[subaruloverbrad]

The reason I had to use the foam was i cut it out to fit 29 1050 tslsx tires with only a 3 inch lift. I cut out all the way to the door edge.(4 door wagon) I did this 2 years ago, i live in Va, which they do put salt on the roads, the only places i havent had problems of rust on my car so far is the places the foam is. after i cut so much out, when you would hit a large bump friends behind me said you could see the sides of the body expand. as for the front big sledge, go to far, door problem, I didnt trim front fenders, i let my swampers "adjust them for me" the foam thing only works if you remove all dirt and water first, otherwise it will keep water in it, I have used 2-3 cases of foam in my car, it is almost dent proof solid. did the entire unibody supports also, with 6 inches of lift it still corners good untill tires slide. can even open the doors with 2 wheels off the ground.

[subarubrat]

I have about 1/3 of my original fender in use. The secret to keeping edge rust out is to buy that door edge stripping they sell at pep boys. Buy a nice primer as well. Prime the bare sheet metal, paint it, install the edge stripping, then paint and undercoat it. A rock can strike it dead on and no danger of rust.

[subaruloverbrad]

was quiet untill swampers.....lol... body much stiffer also. I hate that someone would do that to a subaru i have seen it done badly to though.

[MSSLGECKO]

So, will I be okay w/ just putting on the 27's then cutting/pounding where it rubs?

[subaruloverbrad]

all cars are different and saying that it would unconditonally work would be a lie. I belive it would work that way, but that is just my opinion. It sort-of worked that way for me.