help needed on 4G 4Runner: cutting rear wheel wells for larger tires

Webfoot

Observer
I am looking for a pictorial guide to enlarging the rear wheel area of a forth generation 4Runner. I recently upgraded to 33" tires and I like the flotation they provide however I have no clearance for chains. I want to be able to run mud/ice chains (at least) on the rear. I do not wish to add a body lift. I do not wish to replace the factory rear bumper with a steel one at this time. Has anyone done this and documented the process?
 

zidaro

Explorer
never seen a writeup on it. Do IT!!!! be the example :)
surprised your having too much issue with 33"s. Im running 33s on my 08 and could see needing to remove the mudflap and "maybe" trimming the very edge of trim to instal chains and have them clear on flex. That said, i plan to jump up to 35's and will need to trim for sure. But not yet

your going to have to push your LCAs rearward as far as possible, so your not cutting into your door but into the rear portion of the wheel well exclusively. Being that the door is part of the fender shape, it will never have a symmetrical clean look after the trim job. Id like to think it will still look good though.
A wider rear axle (part of my plan) will keep your tires out of the inboard portion of cab when articulating.

Get it done, take lots of pics. Do a nice detailed writeup and include all the beta you find. Then i can avoid all your mistakes :coffee drink:

A good resource for what i consider the most hardcore 4th gen guys is RockSolidToys. They've got SAS, trans swaps, dual case option writeups on their forum. http://www.rocksolidtoys.com/forum/forums.php Wyatt may have your answer too.
 

Webfoot

Observer
zidaro, I have maybe 1/16" between the tires and the rear mudflaps under moderate compression. Pulling the mudflaps would gain maybe a third of an inch, not nearly enough to run chains, and I believe by law I need mudflaps anyway, so whatever trimming I do I'll need room to put on some generic ones. I won't be able to fully stuff a 33" tire with a chain on it, but looking at the space I have I should still have usable articulation.

If I do this trimming I'll try to remember to take pictures, but I won't make promises because I'll probably be stressed and tired. Also I may not get around to it any time soon.

I only recently became aware of RockSolidToys and yes they are totally hardcore. I guess I could ask over there but they will probably assume fabrication skills I do not have, like welding and glass work.


wrenchMonkey, I was just reading that thread! It's actually what inspired me to start this one as I realized how useful pictures would be. The area I am concerned with (behind the mudflaps) is quite unlike that Tacoma.
 

zidaro

Explorer
there are 3 pieces of body panel that meet inside the rear wheel well. you would need to remove all plastic, in and out, trim metal to fit your tire, then resheet the inner fender with a new sheetmetal panel.

Ive never dug into the 4th gens., but i moved the fender opening back 7" on my 1st gen. Lots of sheetmetal work. i used 20g sheet cuz it is tolerable to weld, but OEM toyota is 22g and sucks ***.

DSC_0009_zpsa71f9959.jpg


patching it in

DSC_0002_zpse10fde69.jpg


pre finish

DSC_0006_zps6119a88b.jpg
 

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