I'm creating a MONSTER!!!!
Well, at least that is what it feels like sometimes. So here is the lowdown on the first rear fender.....or at least as far as I got this long weekend.
First you lay out the cuts. I was able to do this a little different than the front because of the lack of an inner fender. I am taking 3" out front and back, but I am going to do a single section in the middle instead of two like the front.
Then you hack the entire thing apart. This is the point where I go....
DANG....what did I do?!?!??!?!?!. This was a BIG hole in the side of the truck. Cutting out the fender lip that joins the outer panel to the wheel well was the hardest part. Did I mention that was a BIG hole!
Then you start putting it back together. At least it starts to look like something at this point. Don't mind the mismatch at the rear lower portion of the bedside. All that is getting hacked off for a wrap around bumper.
Then you put the other half back in. At this point it starts to look like a bedside again! I didn't have enough clean metal around to make the section filler. I am going to buy a sheet of steel this week. I don't really need a 4x10 sheet but I don't think I can get around it anymore. I was able to add some braces from the inner wheel well tub to the outer sheet of the bedside. This helped make everything a little more rigid.
Now comes the best part. The test fit! This always makes things come together in my head and get me motivated again. Sometimes these projects seem to drag. So tell me that doesn't look SWEET! The tire has plenty of room front to back and on the top.
This is the worst clearance spot. The tire is getting a little close to the wheel tub. Its better than I thought it would be, and I could drive it like this. I am still debating if I am going to need to tub the rear. I think with the 14-bolt rear axle, which is wider by about 2.5", that I don't 'need' to. I will have to see. I can always do it down the road since its not going to be a painted surface.
This one is for scale. My very understanding and supportive girlfriend is 5'7" tall. These tire are BIG!!!
Surprisingly these tire don't stick out much! This will change with the new wider axle but not THAT much. I like that they don't stick way out. The low stance of the truck lets me get away with this. Sometime I have to remind myself that these tires measure the same as most 40" tires. Honestly I think I have room for 42" tires if I ever wanted to upgrade, especially if I mini-tubed the rear.
Hopefully this week I can get another tire mounted up so I can do a front and rear test fit. This should really help me visualize the final product. After I get the sheet of 22 gauge cold roll I can finish off the front inner fender and the rear section and add the last brace. Then its on to the other side. In the rear the gas filler door adds a little complexity, the front should be about the same. I can't decide if I want to try and do the other front ON the truck instead of off?
After the fenders are done and tires are all on....
Gearing, Body and Paint, or Bumpers next?
Thoughts, Comment, Suggestions, Kind words of encouragement, etc?