Fender Flaring

[MacQuigley]

Guy's I need to flare out my fenders or space them out a bit as the new wheels and tyres I bought are just a little too tight.

Any suggestions on ways to do this?

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by MacQuigley

Guy's I need to flare out my fenders or space them out a bit as the new wheels and tyres I bought are just a little too tight.

Any suggestions on ways to do this?

Fleetside, or Stepside?

[hotrodder]

If you know a good bodyman that is good with a hammer and dolly the inner lip of the fender or bedside can be rolled in and you can gain some clearance that way. I did that on my 66 and got about 1/4 inch. Taking it slow will make it possible to do it without doing any body work or painting.

[Captainfab]

Since you don't have your bed wood installed yet, you might consider widening the whole bed and inch or two. There was a former member here that did that to his stepside bed. I'll have to see if I can find his build thread.

Edit: I think his build thread here must be gone as I can not find it. This is the best I could do with a link to a thread elsewhere.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=452520

[mfm3]

I used one of these and gained 1/2" of additional clearance on each side. I'm guessing you can do the same on a fleetside.
https://www.eastwood.com/ew-fender-r...SABEgL5ZfD_BwE

You'll need one of these if you are running 6-lugs
https://www.eastwood.com/fender-roller-adapter.html

[MacQuigley]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Fleetside, or Stepside?

Stepside

[MacQuigley]

Originally Posted by hotrodder

If you know a good bodyman that is good with a hammer and dolly the inner lip of the fender or bedside can be rolled in and you can gain some clearance that way.

Would be a bit far for him to travel unfortunately. I'm in Scotland!

[MacQuigley]

Originally Posted by mfm3

I used one of these and gained 1/2" of additional clearance on each side. I'm guessing you can do the same on a fleetside.
[URL="https://www.eastwood.com/ew-fender-roller-w-instruction.html?SRCCODE=PLA00010&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz9K276-J2wIVAQppCh3TTwosEAQYASABEgL5ZfD_BwE"]

There are some Eastwood retailers over hear. Wonder if they could get that for me.

[MacQuigley]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Since you don't have your bed wood installed yet, you might consider widening the whole bed and inch or two. There was a former member here that did that to his stepside bed. I'll have to see if I can find his build thread.

Edit: I think his build thread here must be gone as I can not find it. This is the best I could do with a link to a thread elsewhere.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=452520

Thanks John.

[MacQuigley]

By way of a bit of an update, last night I bounced the bed as much as I could to see if the fenders came in contact with the tyres.

Now, Ok I know I don't have the bed wood in yet but equally Ive no shocks fitted. With the bed bouncing a good bit there was no contact. So I feel a little rolling of the inner lip of each fender should do the trick. It should be enough.

Going to have another look tonight.

[MacQuigley]

Had a good look tonight and I put the edge strip of wood in so it raised the bed up 1/2" and you know what it clears, only just but it does clear.

I guess if it was to really bottom out and the wheel come right up into the fender Id have a problem but I not offroading it. Its purely a fun/show truck. It will most likely have next to nothing in the bed other than a tent and supplies. I think it will be OK.

I will bring the inner lip in a little though just to be sure and give a little clearance (still going to look at that Eastwood tool though).

[MacQuigley]

Eastwood fender flaring tool, readily available in the UK! Yipee - for once!

[LostMy65]

It may not be an issue, but if you have a short panhard bar, the rearend will have some side to side movement as you go over bumps.

[racecougar]

I formed 1/2" roundstock to the shape of the opening, rolled the sheetmetal around it, and welded it up.