| Author | Message | ||
     John B Pruitt (Jbp) New Member Username: Jbp Post Number: 4 Registered: 01-2004 |
Ok guys, i have placed this post before. I have a 99 Disco 1 with a 5" lift. I am running 285/75/16's on my truck with stock wheels... nothing trimmed as of yet. Now, i am going to buy a 1.5" wheel spacer, keep my stock wheels, and get 315/75 (34.8" tall/10" wide) The BIG question, again, is HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO TRIM? How difficult is it? Is there a gap that exposes internal components of the door? any advice is welcome. | ||
| Eric N (Eric_n) New Member Username: Eric_n Post Number: 37 Registered: 01-2004 |
You are going to have to stuff the wheels and find out where they are rubbing and that will tell you how much you need to cut. That's really the only way to do it. Stuff, cut, stuff, more cutting, stuff, test, repeat. You get the idea. Longer bump stops will help too if you don't already have them. | ||
| Dave Smith (Javelinadave) Member Username: Javelinadave Post Number: 72 Registered: 07-2002 |
As for the cutting part, you need a 4 or 4 1/2 inch angle grinder and the correct diameter (4 or 4 1/2 inch) metal cutoff wheel. Just remember one thing, it is easier to take the metal off than it is to put back on! Good luck....Dave | ||
| John B Pruitt (Jbp) New Member Username: Jbp Post Number: 5 Registered: 01-2004 |
how clean is the cut with the angle grinder. Is there anything else that will amke a cleaner cut? How about a plasma cutter? | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 3013 Registered: 02-2002 |
tin snips. -L | ||
| Porter Mann (Porter) Member Username: Porter Post Number: 119 Registered: 05-2003 |
dremel or small die grinder | ||
| Chris Browne (Chris_browne) Senior Member Username: Chris_browne Post Number: 618 Registered: 02-2003 |
Take a look at East Coast Rovers site and find the Discotech. They installed fender flares from DAP - these opened up the fenders enough to install 34-35 inch tires with a simple 2inch lift | ||
| eric johnson (Eric2) Member Username: Eric2 Post Number: 249 Registered: 05-2003 |
So you're ALSO gonna' change your differential out to at least 4.11's, GBR (Maxi-Drive) axels, etc. etc., right? | ||
| John B Pruitt (Jbp) New Member Username: Jbp Post Number: 7 Registered: 01-2004 |
so...will i have to trim as much since i have 5" of lift? also, will a plasma cutter burn the paint? | ||
| Chris Browne (Chris_browne) Senior Member Username: Chris_browne Post Number: 619 Registered: 02-2003 |
John: Couple of questions Lets see the truck Are you doing this for bling.... I just can't see why you need to do this for off road usage...much less works very well | ||
| Matthew A. Barnes (Discoveryxd) Senior Member Username: Discoveryxd Post Number: 377 Registered: 08-2003 |
I used a dremel tool with a fiberglass cutting disc. If you take your time, use a high speed, and keep a steady hand, it's extremely easy and comes out great. I also used a small file after for any touch up work too. I'd say it's a lot easier and more accurate than a larger angle grinder. | ||
| Nadim Samara (Discodino) Member Username: Discodino Post Number: 208 Registered: 02-2003 |
No cutting can be made to fit 35s without either excessive lift (not recommended) or flares (Rangie Spares - check my pics) | ||
| John B Pruitt (Jbp) New Member Username: Jbp Post Number: 9 Registered: 01-2004 |
nadim, why not have enough lift so that you do not have to cut as much? i already have a 5" lift on my truck. It seemed to work well for John Bradley-Smith. | ||
| Nadim Samara (Discodino) Member Username: Discodino Post Number: 209 Registered: 02-2003 |
John, Cutting is not the issue here, but rather performance, right? and that is why we are all trying hard to UPGRADE the suspension to slap in the largest tires that we can fit and that make sense... In my opinion, running 35s without cutting will render a high center of gravity that will vastly hinder ur performance. Also, on 35s, uīll be able to tread in more extreme locations and therefore encourage much more body damage. I saw this first hand when my buddy (Jihad Frem in the galleries) has not chopped off his rear quarters and now runs a very performing machine and everytime he goes out he bangs them, whereas my cut-up truck never gets any body damage... At the end of the day, itīs ur own opinion and ur own truck. I strongly feel that the UN-NECESSARY aluminum should be removed...itīll render a much more user-friendly body, and less stuff to get hung up, a lower center of gravity (=better performance) and is far cheaper (2" OME lift + 2" RTE body lift + Rangie Spares flares = 1,370 USD on average) | ||
| John B Pruitt (Jbp) New Member Username: Jbp Post Number: 13 Registered: 01-2004 |
Nadim, thank you for all of your help, it is greatly appreciated. just a few more things though to make sure that i am clear. IF i trim with a 5" lift and run 35's, i will improve performance and have a better center of gravity? If i DO NOT trim then the tires will rub the fenders and the center of gravity will be poor? Just wan to clear things up. On that note, i am going to run a 1.5" wheel spacer and keep the stock wheels, how much trimming do YOU feel would be involved, and what would be the best way of doing it. i want my truck to look good but also have the best performance. thanks BEN | ||
| Dave Smith (Javelinadave) Member Username: Javelinadave Post Number: 73 Registered: 07-2002 |
I own a plasma cutter and would not use it to cut painted body parts. You may get a splatter of the metal and burn your paint. A thin metal cutting wheel on an angle grinder it the right tool for the job. A Dermel will work, but it is harder to "lay down" a straight line....Good luck...Dave | ||
| JC (Hcdisco) New Member Username: Hcdisco Post Number: 14 Registered: 01-2004 |
How will trimming fenders on a vehicle with 5" of lift improve the COG? If he had 3" of lift, and trimmed a hell of a lot, he'd have a LOWER COG, than if he trimmed and had 5" of lift, but what little bit of aluminum and still that would come off would have no effect on the vehicles overall COG. I'm hearing some Bling Bling in this thread. With 5" - 6" of lift and trimming, you can clear 37-38's. | ||
| John B Pruitt (Jbp) New Member Username: Jbp Post Number: 16 Registered: 01-2004 |
ok ...JC, so maybe an inch of trimming? by the way, there is NO bling bling. Oh yeah, john carter, when are you doing you toyo axle swap? | ||
| Perry Ray Miller (Discojunky) Member Username: Discojunky Post Number: 67 Registered: 03-2003 |
Dremel with re-enforced cut off wheels and a file. Put masking tape over what your gonna' cut and draw a guide line first. Like Budda' | ||
| John B Pruitt (Jbp) New Member Username: Jbp Post Number: 17 Registered: 01-2004 |
perry...thanks man. did you cut with a dremel? i dont know if my hand is as steady as yours. | ||
| Matthew A. Barnes (Discoveryxd) Senior Member Username: Discoveryxd Post Number: 393 Registered: 08-2003 |
I just sat on a stool that was high enough to rest my elbows on me knees, so I could keep the dremel steady. Wear a full face shield and dust mask so you can get real close to see what your doing. Set it at the highest speed too. | ||
| John B Pruitt (Jbp) New Member Username: Jbp Post Number: 18 Registered: 01-2004 |
matt...how much did you take off? what size tires/wheels do you have? how much lift? | ||
| Ho Chung (Thediscoho) Moderator Username: Thediscoho Post Number: 596 Registered: 02-2002 |
john, just do the lift, the tire, and get a forklift/ramp. then you'll find out how much to cut. it's practically impossible to say "cut 2 inches here, 1.3 inches there..." so, JUST DO IT!  Ho Chung | ||
| Nadim Samara (Discodino) Member Username: Discodino Post Number: 211 Registered: 02-2003 |
John, U can lower the COG with either of the 3 of these (or all of them at the same time which is better): 1. Wider Stance 2. Lower lift (i.e. cutting, reducing lift from 5 to 2, Body Lift...) 3. Reducing weight. My truck has all of teh above and will have even more of each with time. Cutting will not allow for a lower COG per say, however, it will necessissate a shorter lift, thereby reducing the COG. | ||
| Matthew A. Barnes (Discoveryxd) Senior Member Username: Discoveryxd Post Number: 395 Registered: 08-2003 |
I used the "CT" style cut in the tech section. 265/75/R16 3" lift If you look at my gallery, you may be able to see that my rear fender slopes straight back more, rather than curving down. Matt | ||
| Perry Ray Miller (Discojunky) Member Username: Discojunky Post Number: 69 Registered: 03-2003 |
Ho has a real good point I had to trim mine several times because I was trying to take off as little as possible, But under articulation things will change. I used a nearby loading dock but even that was strait up and down and the ruts on the trails are not so your tires go front and back as well. If you don't trim enough you will bend the hell out of the flimsey Alum. so better too much than not enough. Use a lot of tape because the dremel will probably get away from you a few times. Also look at my picks there are a couple of close up of the wells. My tires a a bit bigger but it will give you a idea. | ||
| Ho Chung (Thediscoho) Moderator Username: Thediscoho Post Number: 598 Registered: 02-2002 |
also, if you can get 2 forklifts, and lift the opposite corners at the same time, that will simulate the trail situation the best. Ho Chung |
