Super VXer
I have read that several members have trimmed the cladding on the front to help with larger tires. The thought of cutting the cladding doesn't make me feel well but I gotta get bigger tires....if nothing else, for a more stocky look. Can someone tell me where the cladding is actually cut. Is it visible when looking at the vehicle. And as thick as the cladding is what was used to cut it.
Super VXer
mmmmmm-hmmmmm...
That pic isn't mine, but is of the R-F wheel well.
Super VXer
I work so much better with pictures. That don't look too bad. I wonder what tool would cut through that without cutting my arm off.
Super VXer
Available at Harbor Freight...
Super VXer
Dougie, depending on how big you go with your tires, and if you lift or not, you may end up cutting off even less of the cladding than is shown in the picture. When I was stock height and installed the Terra Grappler 285/60/18's I had to trim off just a tiny corner of the cladding, and that corner was just the tip of the cladding that sticks into the front of the wheel well. I didn't have to cut anywhere near the exterior lip of the cladding so unless I'm parked right next to an unaltered VX AND you stick your head into the wheel well and look at the front corner of the wheel well you would never know anything was removed. I ended up using a Dremel tool with a cut-off wheel to trim the cladding then used some sand paper to smooth everything out for a factory look.
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Super VXer
That picture Ldub sent looked like it would work but I didn't see the electrical cord. I think I got it not. I read where guys were cutting cladding and beating sheet metel so I got worried.
Super VXer
You shouldn't have to do any serious trimming or sheet metal bashing until you get into some of the larger tire sizes (like Ldub's massive set up).
Super VXer
Originally Posted by MSHardeman
...who told YOU?...
Super VXer
LDUB are you serious ? This is nutsAvailable at Harbor Freight...
Man you make me laugh so much I was close to piss my self hahahahaha
That machete looks like the ones my grandpa used to open the coconuts at the beach to make some tasty pina colada
I can just imagine dougie with this machete trimming the cladding
Dakar was just the begining.
Super VXer
If you go on the Harbor Freight website, & find that particular instrument of certain destruction, you'll find that it's a Japan saw, which makes a straight, relatively smooth, cut.
They cut on the "pull" stroke, so they take a little getting used to...
Although I can definitely see the humor in trimming the cladding with a machete......
Super VXer
I think dougie will have problem handling this saw since he's not japanese at all jejejeIf you go on the Harbor Freight website, & find that particular instrument of certain destruction, you'll find that it's a Japan saw, which makes a straight, relatively smooth, cut.
They cut on the "pull" stroke, so they take a little getting used to...
Although I can definitely see the humor in trimming the cladding with a machete...
Super VXer
I didn't trim the front of my cladding at all, but rather behind the wheel. I used a craftsman razor blade pocket knife. You could probably use a pocket knife. I then took a 3lb sledge and banged in the body seams that were still in the way, I had to use an cutting wheel to modify my sliders as well. No problem...I had never done this either so don't worry, it can be done. Now I am making skid plates and soon starting a bumper. It is very addictive. From this:
To this:
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson
Super VXer
I trimmed just a tad off of my cladding
A sawzall did the job like a hot knife cutting butter!
However when I had previously did some minor trimming for tire clearing a razor knife worked just fine.
Billy Oliver
15xIronman
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I held out for so long, when I got my Nitto TG's (285-60-18) I could bear it. Then I actually did it. It's very easy with a razor knife and you don't take very much off. Don't let some of these guys scare ya, they're harmless. Unless you're a VX
Scott / moncha.com
Super VXer
I had to trim mine as well. Its not hard and it does not detract from the external look of the VX (unless you do a major job like Billy (Triathlete) did.
I used a Dremel with a small cutoff wheel attachment to trim mine. It's quite simple. I can't imagine getting enough leverage with a hand tool to do it, unless you remove the front bumper cladding. I did mine in the parking lot of the the tire shop.
Bart
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