Help me plan my van build

[sixstringsteve]

I know Chris has experimented a little on the fender trimming. Anyone else have any input? What's the biggest limiting factor in trimming the fenders? Are there body mounts in the way, inner fenders, outer fenders, not enough room in the front or back of the wheel well, are the rear fenders the problem?

I'm confident I could rework the rear fenders to fit anything I needed. It's the fronts that I'm worried about. I wonder if I could get a set of leaf springs with the center pins drilled 1" farther forward from normal. It'd limit flex, but these things aren't exactly known for their articulation.

 

[Sheep Shagger]

cool, thanks Lance. Those steps look great!

From the looks of it, I'd guess that your rig's lift is comparable to Chris' 6" lift (just a guess). I'd love to have that ride height with 37s (so a 5" lift). I'll be fabbing my own sliders/steps, so I can make them the dimensions I need. I wish I had a van to experiment fender trimming on...

Not really, about the same height I *think*, but Chris put's his axle 2" forward and SMB 1" forward (I could have that backwards), the leaf mounts are also reversed on the SMB, which obviously make a difference to the direction the axle moves when suspension is compressed. Chris obviously knows the full details.

 

[18seeds]

Here is what Larry from Quigley sent me when i asked about fitting 35's. He also suggested 4.5 BS

I've got 33 BFG AT's. IMO the BFG AT's are the best AT tire for winter use. I have yet to find another AT with siping comparable to a BFG AT.

 

[sixstringsteve]

interesting, so SMB is running the shackle in the front? Even though that pulls the tire away from the body at stuff, I'd rather have the shackle in the rear.

 

[Sheep Shagger]

I know Chris has experimented a little on the fender trimming. Anyone else have any input? What's the biggest limiting factor in trimming the fenders? Are there body mounts in the way, inner fenders, outer fenders, not enough room in the front or back of the wheel well, are the rear fenders the problem?

I'm confident I could rework the rear fenders to fit anything I needed. It's the fronts that I'm worried about. I wonder if I could get a set of leaf springs with the center pins drilled 1" farther forward from normal. It'd limit flex, but these things aren't exactly known for their articulation.

Pic is worth a 1000 words.

Limiting factor is if you want to cut the inner fender, and if you want to cut the bracing on the fender. Cutting 1" out is about the max without serious work, but even that requires you to cut / modify the fender bracing. Also if you have fender flares, they come close to touching the door as is, so you would have to re-shape them as well.

 

[sixstringsteve]

IMO the BFG AT's are the best AT tire for winter use. I have yet to find another AT with siping comparable to a BFG AT.

I completely agree, one of the best tires I've ever run (assuming you're talking about the newer tread that's been around for a couple years). Mine started chunking a little, but other than that they've been amazing.

 

[sixstringsteve]

thanks sheep shagger. I'll have to get up close and personal to one, because it looks like I could cut about 3" more with that. Yes, I know it'll require substantial work, but it's worth it to me. I've tubbed enough fenders to know how bad it sucks, but I've gotten better through the years. Thanks for that pic.

 

[Sheep Shagger]

thanks sheep shagger. I'll have to get up close and personal to one, because it looks like I could cut about 3" more with that. Yes, I know it'll require substantial work, but it's worth it to me. I've tubbed enough fenders to know how bad it sucks, but I've gotten better through the years. Thanks for that pic.

You can easily cut more than the 1" I said was easy. Welding everything back on the inner fender since you've now cut-off the spot welds is not so easy, but still doable. I will be doing mine oneday, just not very high on the list at the moment, that and I hate bodywork.

 

[sixstringsteve]

that and I hate bodywork.

you and me both. But it'll be worth it in this case. That's good to know that I can cut more. If I could do 4" with 37s that would be amazing. Even a 4" lift with 35s would be great.

 

[sixstringsteve]

here's my idea. Sorry to the owner of this van for butchering it. Fortunately my fab skills are better than my photoshop/paint skills.

I'll learn how to use gimp better and I'll make it look good. Just seeing that gets me excited.

 

[ujoint]

I don't think Craig will mind the rendering

There are things to consider once you get into the inner fenders. Some things will have to be re located, like the ABS motor. There is probably more, but I haven't done a full inspection to see what needs to be done. It's on my list of future projects.

And for the record, I move the axle forward 2".

Here's a pic of my front fenders, which were trimmed to the max. I've had several vans trimmed, usually less than this to keep the fender line close to stock.

If you get aggressive in the rear, it will most likely need to be tubbed.

 

[sixstringsteve]

thanks Chris. So, it'd be impossible to tub any more in the front? I don't mind relocating stuff, as long as it isn't too invasive.

I don't mind tubbing the rear either, that's nothing compared to my last tranny tunnel and flat belly I worked on. Now THAT was a pain.

 

[ujoint]

Not impossible..... but not easy up front. The ABS module is all that scares me, re routing those lines doesn't sound fun.

 

[sixstringsteve]

hm... good to know. Anyone happen to have any pics of the abs crap in there?

 

[dsw4x4]

Don't get me wrong I have a been takeing a sawzall to fenders since i was 16, I am all for bigger tires and less lift. It makes a way more practical vehicle if you are wanting to really explore the unknown. You can trim the front fender up but it does not really gain you anything because your up travel it limited by the frame and cross member. So in the stock location the tires rub the back of the fender first when you trim back as far as possible 1 to 2 inches you then run into the floor board and doors, the top of the fender is never an issue if you move the axle forward you can now fit a larger tire because in order to move that axle forward you have to lift your van a lot to clear the chassis components (in terms of up travel). Like Ujoints van you no longer have the up travel (in relation to the fender) that you had in the stock location so again the tires will not rub the top of the fender. Just my observations thought it might save someone a lot of trouble of relocating and rebuilding an inner fender when that effort could go towards something more use full and effective towards your build. i have never seen a van that rubbed the top of the fenders.
Derek