Modifed Wheel Openings

[urmyboyblue]

Anyone enlarged the wheel openings on a fleetside bed before? I lowered the truck and now can't get the wheels and tires on. Looking for ideas of how to open up the wheel openings that look good. In for any pictures you got!

[Grounded63]

Just jack the truck up, support the frame. Then support the rearend, disconnect the lower spring mounts, and lower shocks if needed. Then swing the rearend down, mount wheels, jack the rearend back up and reconnect everything.

Mines lowered about 7" in the rear, and thats what i do.

[Project86]

i have a flip kit only on the rear of my truck.
when i had my 15x10 prostars and 32" tall radials, i had to jack the frame up and just let the rear end sag.

[urmyboyblue]

Failed to mention- this is on a C30 with leaf springs. Going to be real hard to disconnect the springs- the shackle is above the frame pivot point, so I can only unpin the front of the leaf spring. I have tried jacking up the frame but the rear doesn't drop low enough.

My last hope is a 1" lifting block I am adding. If it doesn't give me the clearance, then I will have to open up the wheel opening. This is going to be used to tow a camper, so I don't want to have to do major surgery everytime I want to change the rear tire- I might be out in the woods when I have to change it.

But thanks for the ideas!

[vin63]

I stretched mine 3.5 inches to accommodate a 31-inch tall tire.

[Hx16457]

Maybe look at wheels with back spacing to allow the tires to tuck back into the fender a little deeper. Google back spacing and see if that would work for you before modifying the fenders.
I actually lifted the rear of my truck, looks more old school “jacked rear end” and style and clears the fat tires I am running.
Just a thought.
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[rwade]

I’m curious too, but to see if anyone has raised the wheel opening on the bed up to be more in line with the front fender opening.

Wade

[oliver63]

I am with you...I have thought for a couple years it would probably look good for the rear to be as the front...

Originally Posted by rwade

I’m curious too, but to see if anyone has raised the wheel opening on the bed up to be more in line with the front fender opening.

Wade

[vin63]

I went the other way and lowered the front wheel opening to better match the bedside wheel opening. I realized that the OP has leaf springs. I stretched the rear openings forward since my trailing arm suspension pulled the axle forward when lowered, which meant the forward lower corner prevented me from removing the rear tire, so I stretched it forward.

Originally Posted by rwade

I’m curious too, but to see if anyone has raised the wheel opening on the bed up to be more in line with the front fender opening.

Wade

Originally Posted by oliver63

I am with you...I have thought for a couple years it would probably look good for the rear to be as the front...

[rwade]

I know that was a lot of work but it looks great.

Wade

[Cris]

vin63:

You have a picture of the modified front wheel opening? Sounds like a great idea to get a lowered look.

Cris