How BackCountryVans trimmed for tire clearance

[loopie]

I went ahead and did this procedure prior to even testing for rub.
2.5" lift and 235's on stock rims is 100% rub free on my '97.
What a trim like this also does is remove any sharp edges that would cut a tire size that slightly rubs

Blank canvas


Remove the inner splash guard

[loopie]

Take a sawzall(or what-have-you) straight thru at this angle and remove the bracket too

[loopie]

No change to the cosmetic appearance from outside the wheel well...see? Don't be afraid kids...

[loopie]

Cut a slice into the lip at the corner. Not completely necassary, but the lip will fold nicer


A 2.5lb sledge makes short work of the fold, but any hammer will get ya there


Now do the verticle lip...pound it all flat and feel for any sharp edges..you want it all smooth

[loopie]

Clean it and primer it. In this pic, also note that you may have to trim a little of the rubber splash guard as seen in the right circle, and also use a pair of pliers to fold back/up the thin sheet metal splash guard...easy peasy

[loopie]

Trim that inner splash guard you removed earlier


Done! (covered the primer with some truck bed liner)
Zero rub from 235's
(pic doesn't show the folding up of that lower edge on the right tho)

[loopie]

For the front bumper, I actually cut quite a junk out of it and is certainly way more than necassary...but I like this look better
Details to follow.

[Herbie]

Great shot's loopie! I'm bookmarking this thread for reference in a couple of weeks when I get my own lift put on.

From another thread, your 235's are "235/75 DuraTracs" - your van is a '97, right, so that's a 235/75-15? Just want to be sure, for comparison's sake as my 2003 rides 16" wheels. A 235/75-15 is nominally 28.9, and a 235/75-16 is nominally an inch bigger... I'm not adverse to some trimming but I'm trying to pick tires that definitely WILL NOT rub afterwards.

[astrozam]

Nice job loopie, thanks for the write up

[doyoulikeithere]

Looks good Loops!
I just did mine a while back too.

Hey, is Backcountryvans a business name?
Are you putting together lift kits etc?
Have you got a good source for new lift leaf springs ?

[loopie]

^yup...just a part time , working off the kitchen table kinda business. I wanted to take a different approach to a few key things and thought I'd take the time to make them available as well. It's gettin' there. Thing is...I've taken on too many "part time" things lately...

Rear springs....Due to shipping costs, I'd like to suggest a local spring builder to everyone...but reputation and skill makes or breaks a good spring. So not everyone has a "good" local spring place. Before searching in depth local to me (for Canadian buyers)...my go-to place would be http://www.eatonsprings.com/ I may work with these guys in the future to drop-ship custom springs made to his/my specs.

[Astrophysics]

Hi Loopie,

Hi Herbie,

Thank you for the great photos.

With the instructions, I finally had the skill and confidence to trim fender cladding on my 2" lifted 2003 $x4 Astro.
I h
Just got the new Cooper Discover AT3 4 S in P245/75-16. On stock aluminum wheels.

They rubbed big time without the trimming.

They still hit the sway bar!

Can I file or grind off some of the sway bar?

The sway bar is thick, about 30 mm OD

AP

[Astrophysics]

Howdy,

After trimming, I cleaned metal wire brass brush and citrus degreaser. Let it dry, wiped down with blue shoptowel.
Sprayed with Rustoleum spray rubber black.

Nice.

[Astrophysics]

Cranked torsion bars 4 full turns.