Has anyone cut there rear arches to give more wheel/tyre clearance?.

Ive got a set of flared/wide arches that i bought off baz and am gonna attempt to fit them at the weekend.

My query is tho, just how much can be cut out? And how many panel layers is there to weld back up together again?

 

My arches are already rolled

 

 

 

But my wheels catch on the top and rear(on bumper) when going over bumps. So ive done a trial fitting off a arch

 

 

Which i will be blending into the bodywork.

Anyone else done this kind of mod?

I have not widened my arches, but I did have to cut into them so as to cut out some rusty sections.

May be of some help as to seeing how the arch is constructed.

 

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=15465&page=23

 

You will need to page through several pictures but should give you an idea.

Hope it helps.

Thankyou. By the looks of that i can easily cut about 1 inch diameter off and that should be plenty enough to give clearance.

Should just be able to re-weld the panels back together then.

Anything behind there that should keep a eye out on for fire watch while welding back up?

Yes, there are rubber strips about half way up the arch on the inside of the outer skin, both sides of the arch. I think they are for anti panel vibration.

You will just be able to see them once you have cut into the outer panel. In some of the latter picture, you can just about see one from the view of from the inside of the rear arch. I just cut them back by 1/2 an inch or so.

Here are some pictures of the front section cut away.

 

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=15465&page=5

 

Again, hope this helps.

 

By the way, I took the panels out from the boot area, with a bit of squeeze, should the worst happen you can at least get a fire extinguisher in there. I think you might be able to see the rubber strips better from there as well. can not quite remember.