Clearing 35’s: bed trim and support bracket

You can run 35s without cutting the bed, however if you plan to off road they will rub and limit travel under articulation. Additionally it’s much easier to see the rear shocks and reservoirs for all you brand ambassadors and influencers
And for those who can’t read: https://youtu.be/eCoFFIkYnAU?si=97WvdIAtoYVrWf5n


Needs:
10mm socket
Fender trim inserts (orange and blue)
Grinder w/ paddle disc and cut-off wheel
Paint marker to coat holes and edges

Mark the front lower bedside to follow the body line on the plastic fender trim.

Remove 10mm bolts.
Gently separate the fender trim from the plastic inserts by pulling, and set aside for later.
Leave the inner fender liner and fender brackets connected as they keep the fender in place while cutting and you won’t have to mess around with the black plastic inserts. (I thought of this on the second side lol)
Start cutting the metal bedside at the body line marked out earlier and leave about 1/2” of space between the cut and holes for the inserts (orange and blue).

This is a rough cut and will be smoothed out by the flap disc so leaving more metal is better then cutting to much.
With the metal bedside cut completely around, remove the 2 10mm bolts from each bracket where they connect to the bed and discard the cut section of bedside and inner fender liner and brackets in one piece.

Use the grinder with the flap disc to round out the metal bedside edges to the desired shape and remove and sharp edges and a file to clean the inside and out edges.

Use a paint marker to put a couple layers on the edge of the bare metal to prevent rust.
Replace any broken plastic inserts at this time.
Reinstall the outer plastic fender trim.
Use the grinder with a cut-off wheel to make a rough cut approximately 1/2” away from the desired final cut line and remove the excess plastic trim.

Using a grinder with a flap disc slowly shape the fender to the desired shape. Some prefer to go all the way to the body line on the fender and others leave about 3/8 gap before the body line.


REAR BEDSIDE SUPPORT BRACKET

Using 1/2 EMT electrical conduit (cheap, available at all hardware stores and easy to work with)
Hardware of your choice
4 bolts I used 5/16 -18
4 neoprene washer
4 nuts I used clip insert 5/16 -18 nuts

Mark out the desired location on the bedside of where the visible hardware will be seen and drill the hole and hit hole with paint marker.

My second hole will be on the bed support behind the original bracket mount. The original mounting holes are to far forward for where I’ve located my hole on the bedside that why I’m using the one behind it for a better angle.

Measure from the hole just drilled in the bedside to approximately where the hole on the bed support will be.
Add 3” to the over length of the measurement and cut the 1/2” emt to length.
Using a press, vise, or hammer flatten out 1.5” on one end of the emt and drill a hole for the hardware. Bend the flat end to the correct angle to be against the bedside while pointing to bed support where the hole will be. Mark the correct angle and flatten the other end and drill a hole for the hardware.

Refit the support bracket and make any bend adjustments if necessary and mark the hole on the bed support and drill.
I painted it black.

Attach the hardware and support bracket to the bed support.
Fit the hardware on the bedside with neoprene washer on the front and back to reduce noise and prevent damage to the bedside.

There company’s that sell “bling washers” I just 3D printed a tapered one to keep neoprene closer to the bedside.

 

Interested in your shackle. What did you do there?

 

Looks like a 63 swap with ruffstuff outriggers

 

yeah @Strictlytoyz is right I have a Chevy 63” leaf spring swap with 5” shackles. Those outriggers are my least favorite part of that kit tho tbh.

 

This is great man thanks for writing it up. The bedside brace is a great idea - mine's been flapping in the wind for the last 3 years lol. I'm definitely doing this soon.

 

Awesome to hear bro! Post some pics after

 

Got to do a test run and had zero rubbing.