Hi everyone. I tried searching for some time and came up empty so here goes.. I am having major rubbing issues on the back side go my rear wheel wells and am looking to trim the sheet metal back. Im just wondering what others have done and how far back they've taken the cut? On the inside of the wheel well there is a piece of metal that closes off the very back to the tub to the wheel well, do people just cut all that out and have a large opening in there or are they closing it all back up to seal it off again? Im probably explaining what I'm looking for poorly so the pics included should help explain what I'm looking for. Also if anyone has some pictures of of the wheel well opened up id love to see them. I would love to know what I'm getting into before i start cutting things up.

Siide Note: Rear axle has been pushed back a little over an inch and no, i won't be moving it forward.

 

I'd say just trim that rear pinch seam and call it good. Can't tell from the one pic, but doesn't look like your tire is getting into the tub at all....just the corner of that pinch seam. I'm rolling 37's and mine does the same thing. Should've trimmed then when I installed my PSC Cruchser flares, but I didn't take the time to do it. So a couple of my tires have nice slices in the tread blocks (siping...lol) from that pinch seam. Hasn't affected they way they've worn or anything, though.

 

When you look close at the sheet metal, you will see the factory spot welds that hold it together. Best bet is to cut up to them and not remove them. On the bottom corner that you rub most, I think you can cut one or two out and it won't matter. If you start cutting more, you will need to break out the welder to put things back together.

Cutting that inner panel out is a whole different level. I'd look to avoid that if you can. There are numerous connecting body panels and it is fairly structural. Those of us with comp cuts have done it, but it is a lot of work.

Here is a pic of mine before with a 37 and 1" of rear bump stop (it is stuffed way up). I probably had a little less than a 1" rear stretch. I only cut out one of the spot welds. Looks close in the pic, but there was plenty of clearance.

 

I've seen all of the spot welds and was wondering if people were removing them. welding things back together isn't a problem really but if i can make enough room without having to weld that would be better. i don't want to burn the paint. and i assumed that the inner panel needed to stay for some structural integrity i just thought i had seen a few pics that it wasn't there anymore and it got me wondering if ppl are cutting it out to.

Invest2m4, it looks like you did a nice & clean job cutting yours. have you got any closer pics (perhaps not muddy lol) of exactly where and how far you cut?

 

It is pretty straight forward what can be cut before it becomes a larger job. Cut what you can without having to do any major fabrication. If that doesn't get it, keep cutting.

 

I didn't take off a ton, but I did remove the corners, maybe an 1" if I recall correctly. Like Invest mentioned, you can go all the way back to the spot welds, but you really dont want to touch the inner panel.





Also, ive been told those flares serve as a guide for cutting. Basically trace that round well out, and cut away all the way up to the flare. Supposedly that'll open it up to a 40" diameter.

 

Here's a picture of my rear pinch seam cut that works for my set up. 40" tires, 4" backspace, 5"(ish lift). I needed to hammer the inside flap back to make upside clearance. Filled over the pinch seam gap with black silicone.

 

I had originally thought of cutting that far back but that would be well past all the spot welds and into the inner panel if i go that far with it, thats why i was wondering if people are actually cutting it that far back. given what I'm seeing here i will go back as far as i can to the spot welds and trim up the very bottom as much as possible and see what happens. i guess worst case scenario id i go to far and have to brake out the welder lol. thanks for the input or far. if theres any more pics of people cutting the rear id like to see them