Fender Trimming... please help
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 575
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Fender Trimming... please help
I am thinking of cutting the lip of my fender wells out on my 94 F150. For those of you that have done it, what did you use to cut them, what steps/ precautionary measures did you have to take, would you change the way you did it, and most importantly, what did you do/ use to seal the metal and prevent rust?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Like RawPower said, measure.
I haven't done mine yet, but been looking into it for a while. I was thinking off just using a sawzall and then putting some POR-15(already have some, but any plan old rust preventative paint would work). And then JCWhitney has a roll of chromed plastic stuff that would fit on a side of sheet metal for pretty cheap. It was either that or tuck and roll the edge, so it won't cut into your tires when you flex.
I haven't done mine yet, but been looking into it for a while. I was thinking off just using a sawzall and then putting some POR-15(already have some, but any plan old rust preventative paint would work). And then JCWhitney has a roll of chromed plastic stuff that would fit on a side of sheet metal for pretty cheap. It was either that or tuck and roll the edge, so it won't cut into your tires when you flex.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Use a jigsaw with a metal blade rather than a sawzall. Much better control.
Put masking tape down over the whole area. That protects the paint from the saw and give you a good surface to draw your line. Use a compass, point inside the wheelwell, and keep it perpendicular to the edge as you make your line.
Put masking tape down over the whole area. That protects the paint from the saw and give you a good surface to draw your line. Use a compass, point inside the wheelwell, and keep it perpendicular to the edge as you make your line.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
From: OR
ditto. for folding over a bead to stiffen the fender and make it look better use a crescent wrench and just work it over a little at a time, as in dont bend it over 90 degrees at one time take several passes bending it a little at a time. check out my gallery for some pics, I had only done the fronts in those pics.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,976
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From: Rep. of Texas
I like sawzall over my jig bc my jig is a POS. You are right, they are easier to control, but sometimes mine kicks back, even when I go slow... I dunno, Im about to chop my bed 3 feet, ill try it on it...
Edit, thats an interesting idea on the crescent wrenc... Good thinking. unfortunately your pictures dont show the fenders up close. Perhaps some more pics...?
Edit, thats an interesting idea on the crescent wrenc... Good thinking. unfortunately your pictures dont show the fenders up close. Perhaps some more pics...?
Last edited by RawPower; Mar 21, 2006 at 11:03 PM.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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Well when I threw some big meats on once we wanted to go wheeling really bad and not waste time cutting and measuring stuff sooooo...... we grabbed a hammer and beat the you know what out of the fenders until the tires didn't rub. 
Gosh we are bright. Why can't everyone be like this? j/k lol
Gosh we are bright. Why can't everyone be like this? j/k lol
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
sawzall here, cut about 8" of sheetmetal out and prolly have to go some more. it works but it leaves kind of a sharp edge. i just use a grinder wheel on m grinder and go back and touch up the sharp sections.
i wanna try the air shears but no one i know of has one to borrow!
-cutts-
i wanna try the air shears but no one i know of has one to borrow!
-cutts-
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,871
Likes: 0
From: Coutts Canada
PLASMA CUTTER, if you can get acces to one, you'll be done in 15minutes 
This is how i did it, and as a guide i just used the body line and free handed it, turned out not to bad, went over with a grinder to smooth it out then a sledge to roll back the outside edge over the inner fender.
For you get some masking tape (thinner stuff) and mask out what you want cut (again use body line as a guide) and then doible up on the masking tape that is to be you cut line guide to ensure a more accurate cut, and presto hacked out fenders, i think i have some closeup of mine in my gallery of my 80'.
This is how i did it, and as a guide i just used the body line and free handed it, turned out not to bad, went over with a grinder to smooth it out then a sledge to roll back the outside edge over the inner fender.For you get some masking tape (thinner stuff) and mask out what you want cut (again use body line as a guide) and then doible up on the masking tape that is to be you cut line guide to ensure a more accurate cut, and presto hacked out fenders
, i think i have some closeup of mine in my gallery of my 80'.