Trimming Rear Wheel wells

[SD4runner]

Anyone trim the wheel wells in the rear? Specifically the corner bumper pieces that make up the rear of the well? Over the past year, my truck as sagged a little in the rear, and my last trip out was really pissing me off.

Anyone else have this problem? I have a 2" body lift and ~4.5-5" rear lift. I can't understand why I am rubbing so badly yet you guys with half the lift are getting away with it.

I do realize that an aftermarket rear bumper would open up the wells and give some extra room, but, I don't have the money for that.

[Seanz0rz]

cut the rear bumper back about half an inch. mine rub there a little bit.

[SD4runner]

You cut it, or are you saying I should?

I see a bracket there that stabilizes the side bumper piece. Obviously can't cut that off, and yes, thats only about 1" behind. Guess I'll have to trust my steady hand with the angle grinder ;)

[Seanz0rz]

i will cut mine someday. i havent seen how much flex i can get out of the rear now that my rear antisway bar is gone (since the elocker swap in dec.)

i cant see you needing to cut out multiple inches of material, by the time you do that youre oging to be cutting into body sheet metal and youll have a whole 'nother problem on your hands with dealing with the wheel well.

bruce has a ton of flex out back, im sure hell chime in here, i dont think he rubs either.


also, do you have the extended bumpstops out back?

[SD4runner]

Nope, no extended bump stops... I also have no sway bar in the back. I was doing some larger rocks this past weekend, and I was watching my tire completely stuffing deep into the wheel well. My first thought was bump stops.

I'm assuming Bruce's rear bumper allows for more room with the 35's. Could be wrong.

[BruceTS]

Have you seen my thread on my rear suspension build-up?

The problem with the stock length links is during articulation the drooped wheel moves foward and the stuffed wheel moves back. This is greatly enhanced with more travel. I had to clearance the rear body as well as doing some extra trimming off my bumper.

[SD4runner]

Sorry, I just PM'ed you, and just realized you replied.

No I have not seen your thread...Can you link for me please? :D

[BruceTS]

http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=1829.30

[SD4runner]

OK I just checked out that thread. Very informative. Thank you.

Well I am still unsure what bump stops you are using.

I guess I can try hammering stuff if my shocks aren't being compressed too much first, then go ahead and get some bump stops. It was pretty ridiculous how much rubbage I was getting this trip. I felt it nice and strong on pretty much every rock.

[SD4runner]

Well, I am assuming you're using the Day star bumpstops? Who else is using aftermarket bumpstops? What are the options?

Tomorrow I am going to flex out the rear, measure the distance at full compression of the shocks, and see how far it is from hitting the bumpstops. Try to get a better description on whats going on.

[MillerPKA]

if you have the access to some tools a lot of people build their own bumpstop extensions, from what i've heard/seen it's relatively easy. search on yotatech i know i've seen one or two, i'd give you the link but i'm banned over there so no getting on :( haha

[Bighead]

Well, I am assuming you're using the Day star bumpstops? Who else is using aftermarket bumpstops? What are the options?

I've been using a set of Steve's for several years... http://www.sonoransteel.com/store_super_soft_bump_stops.html

[Albuquerque Jim]

I took about 1" off of the body seam at the rear of the wheel well. I also build the rear bumper to have more clearance.

For the record, my 315's rub the top of the rear inner fender.

[Bighead]

For the record, my 315's rub the top of the rear inner fender.

Mine do that also.

[SD4runner]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Do either of you think using the bump stops would actually help my situation then? If you're still rubbing with bump stops, maybe it would be pointless? I still need to compress the rear and measure to see if the shocks are being compressed fully.

Bighead, I notice you are using Fj-80 shocks as well, do you worry about compressing them too far ever?

[d0ubledown]

my 315's rub the gas tank filler neck, as well as the leading/trailing corner pieces of the wheel well, and bumper flare piece. only on full stuff though. still use oem bump stops.

i dont think youve got the ltd flares, so there should be more room in your setup. try a bit of massaging on the well corners with a bfh. not much you can trim out back there without reducing the structural integrity of the body/wheel arches.

[SD4runner]

Massaging with a bfh. That sounds kinky. I think I'll try that.

Well, I went redeck style and jacked up the tires. Compression length for the OME LC shocks are @ 14.5". The fenders stopped the compression at about 17". So my bumpstops are my fenders I guess. I was still a good 3-4 inches from my actual bumpstops unfortunately.

What got me more concerned was the full extension of my shocks. Um. I don't think its good for them to be my "limiting straps".

I think I need to really re-think the rear end. No problems yet, but, I haven't really thought about the damage I could do.

Here's some pix tho. :)

Compressed side. Still got a few inches to go for sure.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/sc4runner/DSC04466.jpg

Extended side... Yeah, that shock is at its max.. :/
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/sc4runner/DSC04465.jpg

And another behind shot
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/sc4runner/DSC04470.jpg

Would look cooler on a rock...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/sc4runner/DSC04468.jpg

[SD4runner]

Should I go and buy some limiting straps? I don't see anyone with them in the rear. Bump stops?

Need some help here. I am an idiot and didn't think about this before.... :/

[d0ubledown]

was trying to figure out why your backing plates are so visible. are you running spacers in the back? try taking those out. the rears should be able to tuck inside the wells...even with non ltd's. you should be able to get WAY more flex outta that.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v389/d0ubledown/cars/hut%20lake%20nov%2018%202007/PICT0009.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v389/d0ubledown/cars/hut%20lake%20nov%2018%202007/PICT0029.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v389/d0ubledown/cars/hut%20lake%20nov%2018%202007/wils_hut_111807_00.jpg



methinks that tires that stick out too much limit suspension travel...

[Chaplain]

Should I go and buy some limiting straps? I don't see anyone with them in the rear. Bump stops?

Need some help here. I am an idiot and didn't think about this before.... :/

Yes you should go buy limiting straps or you will blow out your shocks. I was curious why you were running two sets of bump stops?
I like your wheels, looks good with the black bumpers.

[SD4runner]

Yes, I have wheel spacers. The AR rims are backspaced weird, and with the truck being so tall, I really find comfort in having the widest stance I can. ;)

Here's my plans...
Buy some super soft day star spacers and make my own extensions.

Test everything out after that... Then maybe get some limiting straps. ;)

[Chaplain]

I increased my tire size from a 265 to a 285x70x17 (33") BFG KM2. The added tire size was going to work havic on the fenders so out came the cutoff wheel.:saw: I was able to trim a good 1" out of the fenders without getting into the door.
BEFORE:
http://a716.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/87/l_8512b9dea7ecc4b6dba342d81ff0072b.jpg
AFTER:
http://a795.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/9/l_4cc3dbd8c39b2d6ac4e4ee9a2c95f382.jpg
I covered the sharp edges and hacks with a small piece of trim.

As far as bumps go I would recommend Light Racings Jounce shock. Get the small one and the mounting bracket that allows you to mount them inside the coil bucket. http://www.lightracing.com/v1b/images/parts/25780.jpg

[Cebby]

Here's a goodie I meant to post a while back when I saw this thread:

http://www.trailslesstraveled.com/news.php?id=48

[SD4runner]

Chaplain, thanks a ton for those pictures.

Personally, that takes some balls to cut there. I couldn't do it. I'm actually JUST rubbing on the bumper piece of the wheel well. So, I did the same thing and sliced some of it off with a cut-off wheel. However, I didn't want to remove that lower bolt .

It appears that you sliced the lower mount bolt off from the bumper side panels. How did you resolve loosing that?!

Cebby, thanks for the link. I had seen that before, and I was not willing to go that all out!! haha.

[SD4runner]

Oh, and this is what I did for the bumpstops.... 4x4x4 3/8" stock attached to a super soft daystar bumpstop. Cost me $35!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/sc4runner/DSC04482.jpg

[BruceTS]

I stll get some minor rubbing, but I can live with it. the only clearancing needed was hammering the lip back on the bumper side. Once I redo the link system this won't be an issue, since most is caused for bumpsteer during articulation. I have a set of energy suspension bumpstops, even then I still rub a but on the lip of the fender at full compression during normal up travel. Once I sustain enough body damage in the rear, I'll swap axles and widen the back to match the front, then do some serious sheetmetal massaging.

[Chaplain]

Personally, that takes some balls to cut there. I couldn't do it. I'm actually JUST rubbing on the bumper piece of the wheel well. So, I did the same thing and sliced some of it off with a cut-off wheel. However, I didn't want to remove that lower bolt .
It appears that you sliced the lower mount bolt off from the bumper side panels. How did you resolve loosing that?!

It only takes guts for the first cut after that its easy. I used a 4" cutoff wheel, a smaller wheel would have been better but you use what you got.
To overcome the rattles after loosing the support bolt I just welded the edges together.
I'm no master fabricator, I just play one on the internet.

[SD4runner]

Hmmm... I guess I'll be cutting that lower support bolt too. My rubbage seems JUST to be coming from the damn side bumper pieces.

I've got a 3 day trip planned this weeekend, and if I'm rubbing my ass off for those days, I'll be one un-happy camper!!! :D

[Chaplain]

Hmmm... I guess I'll be cutting that lower support bolt too. My rubbage seems JUST to be coming from the damn side bumper pieces.

I just spot welded mine in a couple places to stop the vibration noise, no big deal.
Where is your trip? Any chance it involves San Felipe Mexico?

[SD4runner]

Nope! I'm going to the desert!

2 weeks I'll be going to the seven sisters in Baja though. No rocks to rub up on that trail though. Just moon dust, mud, ruts and cobble stones!

Ok I went red-neck style again and jacked up the rear. Maybe I do not need to cut the lower bolts. Or, I should just do it and do the welding like you said. Hmmm..

Notice the new bumpstops are barely touching the axle too. Id give it about another 1" of compression... ;/

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/sc4runner/DSC04527.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/sc4runner/DSC04526.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/sc4runner/DSC04525.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/sc4runner/DSC04524.jpg