Fender cutting versus 'relocating'?!

[Roverlady]

I have to decide (before tomorrow!) if I want to cut the rear fenders or try the KVT relocation method. I've got a stock suspended Disco 1 with 245/75-16 BFG A/Ts.

We are a bit apprehensive about cutting...unless we get some help from someone who has done it before. But we are going to the Spring Rallye for ROAV tomorrow, and I don't want to risk catching my fenders when off-pavement!! When they are partially stuffed, there is about an index fingers' width between tire tread and fender!!

Advice?

 

[jmonsrvr]

cut it!!!! unless you can do the relocation.....it is fairly simple..all it takes is a steady hand and a bit of patience. use tape and pencil to draw the line on where you are going to cut. with 245s you wont need to cut to much...
you can rent a rotozip from home depot or use a high speed dremel tool to do the cutting. do it or else this weekend you will buckle and dent the wheel arches on your truck.....

dont be scared its not that hard. if you can cut along a line with scissors then you can do this.

 

[Roverlady]

Actually, my husband will do the cutting! He's pretty handy with tools, etc....but was thinking of using a coping saw b/c of having more control?!

 

[p m]

Cut or relocate?

in short, do both if you like the shape of your rear quarters.
You only need to trim a tiny corner near the rear of the wheelwell.

That'll give you an idea of what to expect with 245/75s and no lift:
http://www.t-r-j.com/BigBear/28Oct00/pm03.gif
That little corner is already cut - after an embarrassing CRRUNNNCH! while driving over a speed bump on the street.

FWIW, these tires still rub even with 2" of lift. The steel wheels have extra 1/2" of offset, but it doesn't affect rubbing on the Disco.

 

[D Chapman]

With the 245's could you just cut in some relief cuts and bend the lip of the fender up?

 

[Roverlady]

Peter, honestly...there are times I can't tell in the pictures whether a truck has been cut or not. It's not the look as the ACT of CUTTING my car! I think we are just afraid to f@#* up!!

Daniel, that's not a bad idea. Hey, are you coming down to Douthat tomorrow?

 

[davidz]

just relocate the fender for the trip, and then when you get back take the time build up some courage and cut the fenders. its not easy to cut on your truck for the first time. but after a few events, trail rides, dents and scratches you'll get over it, like we did!

 

[p m]

Cutting?

THink of it as a straight line starting about 4" above the bottom rear corner of the wheelwell, and coming down to a point on the bottom of the rear quarter about 3/4" behind that corner. Nearly unnoticeable. I chopped mine with a regular hacksaw, and nobody ever noticed that.
Once again, if you let the wheel contact that corner while turning, it'll mangle the rear quarter to much more prominent proportions.

 

[Roverlady]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions...I think we will try and cut her this afternoon. I'll post pics when we are done!

 

[bri]

I ran 245/75 and OME HD for 2 years never cut it. Articulated a few times and heard some nasty rubbing. Of course I was careful not to just yank out of the spot and hammer the fenders. All I caught was the bent under lip of the fender. Went home and placed tin snips in the tool box. Next time it happened, I just looked at it again. Same thing. Pulled out cut the bent lip of the fender off, never happened again.

Of course now they are trimmed all the way up to the trim piece. Just cut 'em off!

 

[JSQ]

i used a coping saw for just that reason. the dremel had sparks flying and wasn't cutting well so i just went to the tried and true powerless hand tool. it worked very nicely.

i wouldn't try to index and bend. i was going to go that route but when i tried it the paint cracked and flaked around the bend.

 

[jmonsrvr]

i did not use a dremel, but i know of those who have....i used the roto zip and it cut like a hot knife through butter. it caugt me off guard as to how fast it cut. anyway good luck and make sure to tape off the "line" so you have a guide. you can go to...damn what is it-someone or some rover club from florida has a short guide on there website..i cant remember the name of it. maybe someone here knows the site, but they have pics on where to cut and all that good stuff.....

good luck with it