Pinch weld mod and general fender cutting..

So I took some of y’alls advice, and I lowered my 3” lift to a 1.5-2” lift on my 98 Tacoma to help my dreaded CV angle.. However now my 32’s are rubbing on the rear part of the fender wall at full lock. Curious what others have done to accommodate? I understand the pinch weld mod… curious if I need to cut the thin piece of the body flare too? As you can see I already trimmed some of the plastic fender liner then hammered one of the small metal flanges in to accommodate. Curious what else You suggest I do? What kind of cutting device is sufficient for this type of job? Thanks in advance!

All I did was swap my 2882 ARB springs for 2880 springs. What a drastic difference! Also I apologize for the foggy pic of my truck…I did the swap in the dark last night and took the photo super foggy this morning before work.

Note: I know the front is lower than the rear. I haul a lot of camp stuff and a Dirtbike on the rear so I wanted it to “level” when loaded..

 

What is the backspace on those wheels? Stock UCAs?

As an example, 255/86/16s here on stock backspace wheels, 2881s and SPCs. I didn't need to chop anything. Left the SPCs on their default setting and had a knowledgeable alignment shop work the numbers using the lower control arm adjusters. I have frame rub when at full lock but nothing at all with the pinch weld. Haven't had to mess with it at all.

 

Reference this if you're going to perform surgery... @turbodb has a nice write up on it.

https://adventuretaco.com/finally-the-pinch-weld-mod/

 

Thanks for the reply! Yes stock UCA’s… the wheels have 3.75” back spacing if I remember right. Pro comp series 51s. I have to use 3/4” spacers however to clear the calipers with the wheels.. that definitely through a curve ball into the rub factor.

 

I’m hind sight, maybe shoulda went with The 2881’s, especially considering I plan to eventually add a bumper and winch an ARB rep suggested specifically to me to use 2880s tho. We shall see!

 

The lift amount shouldn't have made that much of a difference in your rub. Maybe the frequency of it but not whether it does or does not. It sounds like the wheels are the problem.
I was able to run 265/75 16's (32's) on stock wheels with no lift and no rub on the pinch weld area. After lift I switched to a 4" backspace wheel and still zero contact on the pinch weld area.

 

I am currently running 32's. My wheels are a zero offset. I have no rubbing at all, anywhere, even at full lock.
I was previously running 31's with a very negative offset wheel, and those would rub while turning even though they were a smaller diameter.

I'd say that it's your wheels backspacing/offset mostly contributing to the rubbing.

 

Yeah…I have concluded it’s absolutely my wheels. Problem is I already own the wheels, they’re paid off…and I’ve went through a lot of trouble just to get them to fit. So now back to the original question — what are people doing to cut / trim fenders? Angle grinder? Jig saw? I saw the pinch weld article that was shared earlier. Thanks for that! Very helpful. But now curious what people do to trim finders. TIA.

 

I would have ditched the wheels for another cheap set before cutting just to fit 32's. I'm on 33's and haven't cut shit. So back to the question, you are looking for additional techniques above and beyond what you have already done and read of in that article? I thought some just use a BFH on the pinch weld. The procedure and amount of material removed in the article should be plenty sufficient. He said that he used a grinder. That would likely be my tool.of choice for removal of that material..

 

Sweet. Thanks!