Modifying Pinch Weld for oversized tires

[jcoulter]

OK so to get ready for the bigger tires I took tonight to work on the pinch weld.

Most important tool is your BFH, that's my 1/2" drive ratchet next to it for scale purposes. A close second is the pry bar made for removing the plastic rivets. Don't do what I did. I looked at it and thought I can do it without that. I did get the job done but that tool is definitely money well spent.



Jacked up, wheel removed



Wheel well liner removed



Close up of pinch weld and coolant lines



Pinch weld bashed over



After all that I used a can of bedliner I got at Harbor Freight. Gave it three coats and put the liner back in. Since I do not have a rivet gun for the plastic rivets I was only able to put the two on the back and the one that holds the liner to the running board back in. I will be visiting Harbor Freight tomorrow to fix that issue.

I didn't do anything with the coolant lines yet. I am going to wait and see how bad things rub.

[jcoulter]

Here is one of the new BFG mud terrains 255/75R17 next to the stock Fortera.

Yikes!!


I rolled it in front for a quick guesstimate.


Man I LOVE that tread pattern!!

[a49erFan]

You will not have any problem with the A/C lines, I didn't.

[06REDCUBE]

has any one grinded there pinch welds in the front flush with the body have you had any problems with the body separating. if anyone has pics or any tips that would be great

[adamag25]

I think it is safe to hammer them but grinding them completely off may not be a good idea. If you grind them down they may not split right away but road vibration may make the whole thing fall apart.

[06REDCUBE]

so how about grinding them down and then weld the body seams together

[jcoulter]

I thought about grinding them off but when I saw them I realized that it wasn't anything to pound them over.

[adamag25]

You may need to add a piece of plate to the ground down area and make a sort of lap weld. I don't think a butt weld will hold up driving down the road if you hit a big bump.

[06REDCUBE]

As you can see i neet to cut them off. at full lock and you hit a good size bump you can feel it my wife hates it and wants it fixed LOL. I forsee it will still rub when i waste 2-3 hours or more to pound them down

welding a plate after i cut thim flush sounds like a good idea

check out the pics and tell me what you think
they have been cut a bit to help but I just want to hack them the rest of the way off

[06REDCUBE]

so i ground the pinch welds down today beause im tired of it rubbing here are the pics

now to do something about those hoses im thinking about re-running them



insted of a 1/4 inch of clearance i now hace about a 1 inch