Sheep Shagger
Adventurer
I've been putting this off for a long time as I don't like bodywork. But I've had 2 tires separate in the last 2k miles so time has come for new ones.
Since I don't have a welder at the moment this is going to be a quick hack job until I move into a bigger garage next month. It'll all be hidden behind a bushwacker fender flare (that will also have to be modified), so I'm not too concerned about a bodge-job as only me and the rest of the internet will know..
I know I can fit a 35" tire with a silly offset wheel (5.5" BS) as that's what was on the van when I got it, but it severely limited the steering, my goal is a 35" tire at least 305 width and correct 4.5 BS wheel. I want 305 or above width tires as they are run at a lower PSI but rated the same for load.
First order of business, go get a 35x12.5x17 tire fitted on one wheel that I'll use to size everything up. Finding that size tire E rated and approved on a 8" rim was non-existent in any tire I wanted, so I settled for the next closest a 315x70x17 BFG AT Ko2, it works out to be the same width and 0.4" smaller in diameter.
Size it up against the 285/70/17 that's on the van at the moment.
Fitted and pointing forward, loads of room.
Turn it a little, looks like a small problem to fix. But get it passed the fender and there is loads of room again.
Pulled the fender off and work out how to do the first problem, the inner fender pinch weld. Quick cut in the pinch, then bend it over.
Doesn't look like it, but this is plenty of room for the tire to clear. (3" up travel, and allow the tire to move back a further 0.25" back)
Well that's it for the moment, as it's raining so I came in to get dry.
Next update will be cutting the fender. I plan to cut and bend back the inside brace, then cut a few slits in the fender and bend it back. Not sure how that will go, but I don't want to simply cut the fender back and leave an edge, even if it is covered by the flare.
Since I don't have a welder at the moment this is going to be a quick hack job until I move into a bigger garage next month. It'll all be hidden behind a bushwacker fender flare (that will also have to be modified), so I'm not too concerned about a bodge-job as only me and the rest of the internet will know..
I know I can fit a 35" tire with a silly offset wheel (5.5" BS) as that's what was on the van when I got it, but it severely limited the steering, my goal is a 35" tire at least 305 width and correct 4.5 BS wheel. I want 305 or above width tires as they are run at a lower PSI but rated the same for load.
First order of business, go get a 35x12.5x17 tire fitted on one wheel that I'll use to size everything up. Finding that size tire E rated and approved on a 8" rim was non-existent in any tire I wanted, so I settled for the next closest a 315x70x17 BFG AT Ko2, it works out to be the same width and 0.4" smaller in diameter.
Size it up against the 285/70/17 that's on the van at the moment.
Fitted and pointing forward, loads of room.
Turn it a little, looks like a small problem to fix. But get it passed the fender and there is loads of room again.
Pulled the fender off and work out how to do the first problem, the inner fender pinch weld. Quick cut in the pinch, then bend it over.
Doesn't look like it, but this is plenty of room for the tire to clear. (3" up travel, and allow the tire to move back a further 0.25" back)
Well that's it for the moment, as it's raining so I came in to get dry.
Next update will be cutting the fender. I plan to cut and bend back the inside brace, then cut a few slits in the fender and bend it back. Not sure how that will go, but I don't want to simply cut the fender back and leave an edge, even if it is covered by the flare.
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