Can you cut the front fender pinch weld?

bighause · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 9:52 pm

I just got Rubicon wheels/tires, but no lift till friday. I figured this would be a good time to see where the tires would rub since offroad the tires will be moving up to where they sit right now pretty often even with the lift.

I trimmed in front of the tire, but the pinch weld is still holding me up behind the tire. I have seen guys hammer the pinch weld flat, and have done that on a Samurai I previously owned, but was wondering how bad it would be to cut the exposed pinch weld off and paint it so it won't rust. It is only about 4 inches that would be cut off. Horrible idea or not?

LibertyN8 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 10:23 pm

I think you could cut it but weld the seam afterwards.

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Others have cut it. Over time it begins to seperate though. You're much better off just pounding it down.

bighause · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 11:45 pm

Well, I took your advice since it is usually right and got out the sledge hammer. Worked better than in my previous experience, and I managed not to miss and hit the fender

. Seems to have done the trick since the dont't rub there anymore.

The Rubicon tires/wheels fit with the stock suspension but any large bumps and the tire is going to meet the rear fender which might not be pretty. It already looks sooo much better I can't wait till the lift gets here!

I'll post some pics of the stock KJ with the new tires tomorrow in the daylight.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Tue Oct 11, 2005 11:01 pm

For the rear, you could take a dremel with a cut off wheel, and trim about 1/4 inch off of the inside (wheel well side) of the fender flare. Then you can also trim some of the metal on the wheel well lip. then to keep the gunk out, get some generic clip on door moulding from pep boys/autozone, or what ever your favorite is.

as for the front where the pinch weld was, you can either heat and in essence reweld the fender flare flat. or what I did was spray som tar based undercoat on the folded pinch weld, then get a cheap $1 plastic 3 ring binder (black or other color if you choose) cut to fit to cover the weld. I picked the binder material because it was easy to fold and place under the wheel welland cover what I wanted, basically sandwiched between the metal wheel well, and the plastic cover. Then I used silicone cauking to glue it in place, and viola a covered rust free pinch weld.

dirtykj · **Posted:** Wed Oct 12, 2005 12:13 pm

I don't think I ever rub the pinch weld with my MT/R. Am I just lucky? I looked and I don't see any (obvious) sign of rubbing on the pinch weld plastic. I do rub a bit in front, though.

Can you cut the front fender pinch weld?

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