Do you know how to trim down a pinch seam by the rear tire? I would like it to look good once it is done.

Some people told me to use a sawsall and then a grinder. I would think that would tear up the pain a lot.

Better yet, can anyone post a few picks of the completed job. That alone might answer many of my questions.

Thanks for the help.

-John

 

I used a body saw with a fine tooth blade, it tears less on the paint. I'll go take a picture for you but I do intend to take a little more off to round out the wheel well. I'll also be trimming the rear because it has a corner that sticks out. That corner will catch a a slightly stretched wheelbase with 37's.



The seam and rails have been cut back for 35's.

 

I have to do this to mine and is on my current tudo list.

My plan was to use an angle grinder with a cut-off wheel, to cut that back corner of the pinch seam off, then a palm sander to round off any sharp edges. Then from there hit it with primer. For the finishing touches, I have a can of Mopar color match paint and clear coat spray to make it look good and prevent rust.

 

I used a sawzall, a couple minutes on each side, and haven't looked at it since. One day I was going to hit the whole inner fender area with truck bed liner anyway.

 

A sawzall will cut it like butter
mark 2in up and 2in out then cut diagonally to the two
fill the gap with JB weld

 

Well, sort of a completed job. I used a cutoff disk--felt there was more control than a reciprocating saw, and let me round off the sharp edges. Afterward painted. Had 35s, which many folks insist don't need this fix. Well, that missing paint was caused after running White Rim Trail. So, I went back and cut it more. Mine is a 2007, and I believe later models aren't quite as far back, so may not need the trimming, or as much.



One thing for sure: Don't trust a moving the axle up and down and looking for clearance test on jack stands. That ignores the dynamic forces that cause a low pressure tire to bulge out when you hit dips and such at speed and are heavily laden (which is how my damage occurred).

 

Cut it out and make a sheetmetal plate and Tig it in

 

That looks great. Unfortunately, i do not have a tig or the skills. I will see if the shop can do it.

 

You reallllyyy don't need to man. That's definitely a cool way to do it, but also unnecessary. He just went the extra mile since he can Tig weld. People have been doing it the other way (chop and paint) for years. It works, do it.

 

Exactly, JB weld the edges, primer and paint. On mine there was a foamy filler and I was worried about turning my Jeep into a Johnny Storm so welding was out of the question.