Maddawg's Madness /starting a make-over.

[pbkid]

Lookin good mad dawg! Fyi, brand new razor blade seems to be the best way to cut cladding, or airsaw, i wouldnt go sawzall

[Maddawg]

Lookin good mad dawg! Fyi, brand new razor blade seems to be the best way to cut cladding, or airsaw, i wouldnt go sawzall

Too late man, its a done deal. I can't see a way to avoid cutting the rear fender clad with the Sawzall because the clad is tucked up right against the sheet metal. The only way to avoid would be to remove the fender clad completely. BUT...if you're referring to the front piece, yes that is easy with a small hand saw.

[Maddawg]

[evillecutter]

looks great - the way our fenders flare it almost looks like the tires are just a continuation of the sexy vx curves

[Scott Larson]

That's one fine lookin' Ironman if ever there was one, NICE JOB!!

[Maddawg]

Thanks guys!!

[VXorado]

Looks great Maddawg.

Good choice on the rims and tires. It reminds me of my Ironman a few years back.

[Maddawg]

Looks great Maddawg.

Good choice on the rims and tires. It reminds me of my Ironman a few years back.

Thanks, the rims are Procomp 8101. For lack of a name I refer to them as Tarantulas, lol.

[Maddawg]

Trimming front edge of clad: Determine the area of contact and lay some masking tape at the outer edge and the inside edge to define the clearance cut. This is the right hand side

I used a jigsaw which creates some heat and leaves a bit of slag behind the blade. Hey, donworryaboudit! It comes off with fingers or razor blade. So its best to not take too much off at first, can always come back and remove more if needed.

Good! Now go do the other side.

[Maddawg]

Ok, I'm done with the left side. I pretty much followed Kate's guide and I do have clearance, but its nothing to rave about. I'm pretty sure I'm going to experience some rubbing with suspension articulation.
This pic shows the screws removed from the splash guard and the next pic shows the screws themselves.


Now the splash guard can be pulled away and bent upward. I used a bungee to my door mirror to retain it.

Now the structure is revealed below.

And for comparison this is the clad and sheet metal removed.

Save this anchor/clip nut.

The next two pics show the edge that needs to be hammered back.


I used a small handsaw to cut away this piece because there was nothing behind it now.

Because I'm such a neatnik I radiused the lower corner. The hole above it is where the saved anchor/clip nut will be reused (in the sheet metal behind).

Now tuck the splash guard back behind the clad and reinstall the screws. Done.

Well, not quite. I didn't like how close this section of the splash guard looked to my tire so I sawed it off.

Well, I hope this is informative and good luck with installation of your humongus tires in the future. If I missed anything let me know.

[JoFotoz]

Great write up/pictorial

Yup..you'll probably find yourself doing additional trimming over
the next several weeks as you flex everything more.......I know I did !

Jo

[Maddawg]

Great write up/pictorial

Yup..you'll probably find yourself doing additional trimming over
the next several weeks as you flex everything more.......I know I did !

Jo

Thanks Jo! That took about an hour and a half for the rear of the front well. Did you have any problems with your rear tires?

[JoFotoz]

No cladding trim needed.....

Did you have any problems with your rear tires?

...but entire axle rotates forward as you lift.

My tires are very close to the front of the rear arches...with plenty of space to the rear.

Adjustable Lower Links fix this...Ryan (LittleBeast) has 'em......
.....they are on my shopping list.

jo

[Maddawg]

No cladding trim needed.....



...but entire axle rotates forward as you lift.

My tires are very close to the front of the rear arches...with plenty of space to the rear.

Adjustable Lower Links fix this...Ryan (LittleBeast) has 'em......
.....they are on my shopping list.

jo

I dont have any bump stops in the rear Jo, do you??

Is there something worn out on your lower links to cause that movement??

[pbkid]

Very nice! Keep up the good work!