jgib

Well this week I painted the rings on my rims(sunday)...Then enjoyed it for a day until I got a flat(Monday) and was pissed. Then I said screw it and bought 37s same day.. Then yesterday I went offloading and the back tire rubs on the pinch seam/rubi rails.I knew I was going to need to cut/chop them but wanted to test it. I havent been able to find any write ups on the Internet about this process so I decided I would give it a go. Hope this helps somebody who is thinking of doing this or just curious how much work is involved. If nothing else I hope this thread is atleast entertaining lol Welp here we go!



Went offroading last night and this is my back tire rubbing on the rubi rails/ pinch seam. Unfortunately this is the only "before" pic with the tire on that I have lol




So first I put my jeep on the lift in my dads shop (lucky enough to use because it makes any project easier)




Took the wheels off




Before




What I'll be chopping




Tools needed to take the rails off.. 10mm ratchet wrench( a lot faster then normal wrench).. And 1/2 socket with extension ( didn't actually really need the extension). Also an air ratchet makes things way faster



To take the rails off you will need to remove the main bolt and two nuts next to it. There are 3 of these total on each side




The other 2 you need to take off




Then remove the rail




These are the bolts that should be off when you remove the rail




Measured 2in and made my line on a 45 (not exact) angle




My line




Then cut




Now on to the rails. Put some masking tape on them and made a guideline to follow that is 2in from the end.




After the cut.




Now to take off the end cap you need to pop this little bolt/screw or whatever you want to call it. I used a flathead screwdriver to pry it up and then used needle nose pliers to get it out




Cap fit in perfectly




I then used some plasti dip (left over from painting my rings on my pro comp rims) from my other write up lol I used it to touch the pinch seam up.




Finished left side



Same side just showing the length taken off



Forgot to add this in earlier but these were the tools I used to cut / clean up the cut




Left side done with tire on and tons of clearance. Imagine 2more of the rail lol it was almost touching just siting there




Right side done with tire on




Jeep all done




And this is all the material that was removed. Took about an hour and a half to 2 hours and now 37s clear just fine hope this helps someone!

abearsfan

Great write up, I may be doing it soon as it helps to see the removed material...
Thanks

jgib

Awesome! I'm glad it's helpful!

jgib

By the way this Pic is today with me fully flexed (tire rubbing fender!) and still not even close to the rail or pinch seam








Just further away.. Tire tucked and rubbing a little on the fender lol. Time for some bushwhacker flats? Lol

Gman*2007

Thanks for the great write up. That was very helpful information for me since I'll be doing the same thing.

jgib

No problem!

JKduke86

Thanks for the write up, I'm planning on doing this project this weekend. Is it necessary to remove the wheels? I feel like there is plenty of room to do some hacking without taking them off. And how do you think a reciprocating saw will do? Don't have a grinder...looks great though!

jgib

If you have 37s already then yes you have to take off the wheels. If I would have left the tire on I would have gone straight in to the tire when I finished my cut. There was only about a 1/2in. Gap between tire and pinch seam on mine. And I'm sure the reciprocating saw will work just fine. Good luck this weekend!

Power Hungry

Heck, you already cut some sheet metal and sliders, cutting a little plastic off your flares should be nothing. Problem solved :-)

jgib

Lol I'm seriously considering cutting them.. I just really like the look of the ace flares or bushwackers.. Decisions... Lol