Trimming Fenders on a D2?

[Riflman]

I've got a 3" RTE and Bilstein 7100's. I have RTE Sliders (vintage 2004) and 285 SSR's. I was rubbing a bit on the rear fenders but trimming them for the GD bumper helped with that. THE RTE front bumper means no rubbing on the forward portion of front fenders. They are still rubbing a bit on max flex though (rear swaybar is removed and front is disconnected with QD's). The weak points are where the sliders are. I've been told I should chop the sliders, but just had them powder coated. Now I'm determined to do it. That doesn't make much sense though without trimming the fenders; however, I can't really see a way to trim them without losing all of my weather sealing around the rear doors. If anyone can share their wisdom in the area it would be appreciated.

As for flares after the hatchet job, I might just lose the flares completely since the damn things won't stay on anyway. I like the way flares look and they add a bit of scuff protection from smaller trees and brush. Ideas are welcome there too.

 

[leeawalden]

get the flexi flares from Justin at Lucky8, I know there are several guys that have trimmed their fenders to fit these flares...Here is a guys truck with 34x10.5 swampers, close to a 285/75 with 3" RTE lift and 7100s, and then the white truck is the lucky8 truck with their new springs, shocks, and bumpers, with 35s...

 

[Riflman]

get the flexi flares from Justin at Lucky8, I know there are several guys that have trimmed their fenders to fit these flares...Here is a guys truck with 34x10.5 swampers, close to a 285/75 with 3" RTE lift and 7100s, and then the white truck is the lucky8 truck with their new springs, shocks, and bumpers, with 35s...

The guy with the truck on the left would rub on the sliders FOR SURE. He's got less room there than I have and you can tell that if he tucks he'll rub trimming and flares or no.

I like the look of Justin's truck. Hard to see the sliders but I thought he was running RTE. It would be nice to see some pics of the trimming job before the flares if anyone knows where to find the pics. Justin?? You on here?

I'd hate to lose that seal on the bottom of the rear door. With slush, sand and salt spray in the winters and water in the summers, I could see a lot of leakage into the cab and a BIG problem during wading. It's not hard to get to the bottom of the doors sometimes and while it's brief, without that seal, it will get in FAST. I'd have to tape up the doors with black duct tape. Believe me I've thought about doing it. I swamped one rover already and don't want to kill this one. I WANT to cut but need to be confident that I won't turn it into a bathtub or shower. :coffeedrink:

 

[michaels]

The guy with the truck on the left would rub on the sliders FOR SURE. He's got less room there than I have and you can tell that if he tucks he'll rub trimming and flares or no.

on the contrary. that truck is owned by mike fisher, a.k.a. flyfisher11 on dweb. i wheeled with him all summer and they don't rub anywhere. he trimmed the sliders accordingly. he's now on 255/85 KM2s, which are actually larger than those 34s with wheels that have 4.25 backspacing. no rubbing at all, and i have verified this in person.

 

[Riflman]

on the contrary. that truck is owned by mike fisher, a.k.a. flyfisher11 on dweb. i wheeled with him all summer and they don't rub anywhere. he trimmed the sliders accordingly. he's now on 255/85 KM2s, which are actually larger than those 34s with wheels that have 4.25 backspacing. no rubbing at all, and i have verified this in person.

I took another look and I see now he has trimmed quite a bit off the sliders in the front. I'm assuming at the rear also. I'd like to see some pics of the trim job if any are around. I'd also like to hear more about the wheels and backspacing if you have any more info on that.

 

[michaels]

I took another look and I see now he has trimmed quite a bit off the sliders in the front. I'm assuming at the rear also. I'd like to see some pics of the trim job if any are around. I'd also like to hear more about the wheels and backspacing if you have any more info on that.

as far as i know they're AB wheels with 4.25 backspacing. i could hook you up with his email if you want. he's on facebook too.

 

[LandyAndy]

It's not hard to get to the bottom of the doors sometimes and while it's brief, without that seal, it will get in FAST.

Yup.... tell me about it..... took 3 weeks to dry out the rear carpets..... and that's with the seal :snorkel:

 

[R_Lefebvre]

The Genuine Land Rover door seals only slow the water down. Ask me how I know.

I was too lazy to take the carpets out to dry them, and it took so long to dry, I should have just done it. Frankly, I wish there was a good way to put a hard surface down that wouldn't look too bad, and keep the noise down, and just pitch the carpet. It gets at least a little wet every time I go out.

I have had the carpets out before, and driving around, it's amazing how much louder it is.

 

[bobtail4x4]

On my 71 range rover "bobtail" any water over a couple of feet deep means a spray of water up the drivers side, as the seals are less of a seal, more a restriction.

the 94 discovery has much better door seals but if left in water any lenght of time they also leak.

have yet to try the wifes discovery 2:snorkel:

 

[bobtail4x4]

here is a pic

or not?

 

[Fivespddisco]

The guy with the truck on the left would rub on the sliders FOR SURE. He's got less room there than I have and you can tell that if he tucks he'll rub trimming and flares or no.

I like the look of Justin's truck. Hard to see the sliders but I thought he was running RTE. It would be nice to see some pics of the trimming job before the flares if anyone knows where to find the pics. Justin?? You on here?

I'd hate to lose that seal on the bottom of the rear door. With slush, sand and salt spray in the winters and water in the summers, I could see a lot of leakage into the cab and a BIG problem during wading. It's not hard to get to the bottom of the doors sometimes and while it's brief, without that seal, it will get in FAST. I'd have to tape up the doors with black duct tape. Believe me I've thought about doing it. I swamped one rover already and don't want to kill this one. I WANT to cut but need to be confident that I won't turn it into a bathtub or shower. :coffeedrink:

Riflman
1) pics
I am swapping the flares over to the new 75mm and will try to take some pics for you of the open cuts.
2) cutting
If your cutting the door just give in and do it. In the past I did not want to cut my door and saved all the metal I could but after a bit wheeling the tires ripped the fender and the fender cut up my brand new tires. It was a complete lose lose.
3) seals
If your using the truck as a Uboat water will get in. Trust me on this one. the seals only slow it down a tad. For day to day driving I do not get any spray in the truck and we did not get any snow or mud inside last weekend during the winter romp.
4) bath tub
The flares will not turn your truck into a bath tub. You will be able to do normal water crossings with out an issue but if you get suck the water will come in faster but at that point it will not mater.
5) pics here are some pics of Mikes truck that he is doing now. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lucky...=ts#!/pages/Lucky-8-LLC/123570148926?v=photos

 

[Fivespddisco]

Sorry it a camer phone pic from back in the Treo days :Wow1: