Trooper - cutting wheel wells

[Rip DeLips]

The ol' Trooper is about to go in for surgery. Anybody got any decent pics of hack jobs? Especially near/into the bottom of the rear door (I have the 4 door)??? Just want to do some comparisons before I start cutting into it.

TIA

[Kilby]

I thought you said you didn't care what it looked like? :flipoff2:

When you starting the surgery? Gimme a buzz if you want some assistance or heckling. I might be able to swing by tonight or tomorrow.

[Rip DeLips]

Probably start on it this weekend if you're gunna be around. I 'think' I have to go pick up tires/rims in Richmond on Saturday if ya want to ride.

[Kilby]

So yer not ridin' the river w/ me on Saturday?

[Rip DeLips]

Originally posted by Kilby
So yer not ridin' the river w/ me on Saturday?

I'll be back by noon o'clock dude. Everything is still on. :flipoff2:

[Kilby]

Well, then COOOL!

How come you're not getting any help from the Isuzu guys? Are they all out at the mall or something? :flipoff2:

[Rip DeLips]

Originally posted by Kilby
Well, then COOOL!

How come you're not getting any help from the Isuzu guys? Are they all out at the mall or something? :flipoff2:

I dunno where they are. Hey, you wanna just sit here and shoot the shit till somebody gets pissed? :flipoff2:

[Kilby]

Ha ha...

It's not like there could be any TECH in an Isuzu forum anyway!

:flipoff2:

[Independent4x]

i could help you out if i could keep my computer bug free........hey microsoft :flipoff: .........clean install...real fun .............again :rolleyes:

anyway

i doubt you will need to cut yours as much as i did, but the front is a single lip...just ditch that inner plastic liner

the rear .....i cut the back edge back about 2.5" and bent a lip on the inner well.....bent it together w/ the outter and rivoted it togehter....herculiner over that...and viola...looks tight :D

here you can see how i cut the front:

[Independent4x]

process:

[Independent4x]

another

[Rip DeLips]

Thanks Matt...but you didn't have a rear door to contend with. :flipoff2:

[Kilby]

Nice, Matt...


Rip - It's not like it's a Cherokee where if you cut too much, you start taking out STRUCTURAL SUPPORT. :eek: :flipoff2:

[Rip DeLips]

Originally posted by Kilby
Nice, Matt...

Rip - It's not like it's a Cherokee where if you cut too much, you start taking out STRUCTURAL SUPPORT. :eek: :flipoff2:

LOL. Sounds like you speak from experience. :flipoff2:

[Kilby]

no experience yet... i've got a cherocar that's waiting to be hacked up, though. :D :D

[Grampa]

I'd like to see a few pics too, but I doubt there are too many that have done it yet... I figure just keep cutting til the tires fit, and add a few plates here and there to keep most of the dust out. I plan on hacking into the doors as far as need be, as long as the rear windows still open. The major issue will be making the wheel tubs longer front to back, but thats still no biggie. Another issue is the body mount right behind the wheelwell, but I think it can be cut off and relocated a bit further rearward, if it gets put back on at all... I'm also playing with the idea of bobbing it a bit... maybe 4-6", and continue the wheelwells straight back, and putting lights in the rear doors.

[Rip DeLips]

Well grampa, looks like I won't have access to the shop till Monday evening. Gotta a few other things to take care of on the truck first, but I'll try to get some pics for you once the knife comes out. :D

[Independent4x]

i hear you guys.....i don't see the mystery of cutting the doors.....i know Land rover guys do it all the time on Discos and Rangies

you may want to look for some rover sites, or pop over to the rover forum and search.

here is a good example.you can see how much was cut out of th back doors:

[Kilby]

Ripper,

How's it coming along??

[Rip DeLips]

Originally posted by Kilby
Ripper,

How's it coming along??

Shitttaaaaay. Worked on it till about 11 or so Tuesday night. My junk is now on the back burner so 3 other trucks can get ready for a trip next weekend. Whole bunch of dammit.

[Eric D]

I'm sitting here wondering to myself, "gee, why haven't many/any isuzu guys hacked their fenders... "

and then it strikes me

OH YEA! our trucks came with bigass wheel wells that swallow 33" tires stock and much bigger with only minor lift.

You know, unlike cherokees that need 6"+ lift and fender trimming to fit 33s without rubbing, and a new front axle to keep from snapping it with the same tires.

I knew it was something simple like that.

;) ;) :flipoff2: :D

[Independent4x]

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

[Grampa]

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Poor Jeepers, and all we have to do to get better gearing to turn those 33"+ tires is rob a bank to pay for the teras or swap the whole drive train:flipoff2: Sucka's;)

I was looking at my troop today and I doubt I'll have to trim much in the front of the rear wheelwell because I'll be moving the axle back ~2"-3", but I'll still need to hack the shit out of the rear area and the front fenders are going to get hacked very similar to Matt's. I guess thats kinda the last thing I need to worry about though, seeing as the new motor, tranny, transfercase and front axle havent been installed yet:( :D

[paulevans76]

gotta watch that body mount back there at the rear of the wheelwell

[Rip DeLips]

Originally posted by paulevans76
gotta watch that body mount back there at the rear of the wheelwell

Oh. Is that the thing I cut through last night??? :flipoff2:

[Kilby]

Originally posted by Eric D


You know, unlike cherokees that need 6"+ lift and fender trimming to fit 33s without rubbing, and a new front axle to keep from snapping it with the same tires.



That's why the cherocar is WAITING to be hacked up... And after looking at it again this weekend... It's gonna keep on waitin'. :flipoff2:

But if you want a drivetrain... Maybe we could work out a deal! ;) ;)

[Grampa]

Originally posted by paulevans76
gotta watch that body mount back there at the rear of the wheelwell

My plan is to lose that body mount all together...

[Independent4x]

and of course it also depends on your width............as to weather it is a factor at all. My rear axle is back about 3" or so and i cut a bit off the rear end of the fenders............with the 39.5's the tire now looks like it is basically centered.

[Rip DeLips]

Originally posted by TrooperRS
and of course it also depends on your width............as to weather it is a factor at all. My rear axle is back about 3" or so and i cut a bit off the rear end of the fenders............with the 39.5's the tire now looks like it is basically centered.

Without extending my axle and 33's...mine is NOT centered...but will be after some cutting. BTW, a sawzall does not appear to be the best tool for the task. :D

[Independent4x]

i am going to agree. i prefer the right angle air grinder w/ a 3" cut-off wheel for the more precise outer fender stuff


then sawzall for the under fender stuff
;)

[Grampa]

I have a sweet air powered shear that cuts body metal without a single ripple... I used to build custom camperized and touring-style vans and used them for cutting out the sides and roofs for windows and pop-tops etc.

I plan on moving the axle back 2" and the front forward ~4" to net me a 110" wheelbase. The reason I need to remove the said body mount is tire interference because I'm still going to run the stock rear axle, and under full stuff I'm pretty sure the tires will hit there.

I'm trying to decide if I should stick with the stock leafs in the rear and just move the mounting points, or go with the longer chev leafs. The trooper springs flex quite well and I'm even considering running a set up front, but I'd like a little input on this before I make a final decision

[paulevans76]

thought about yota rears in the front? pin is offset to shoot yer axle forward pretty good.

[Grampa]

As of this weekend I picked up a set of 1/2 ton 2002 Ford rear springs. Very long, with an offset pin to move the axle back ~3" to the rear while maintaining the front spring mounts. For the front I will either use my rear Troop leafs or go with the 92+ Yota rear springs.

[paulevans76]

I don't know from experience, but was thinking about this: yota rear springs aren't meant to hold too much weight and seem to sag after awhile in their stock config. In an up front application, maybe think about adding an extra leaf to the pack.:confused:

[OverThrottle]

Originally posted by Grampa
As of this weekend I picked up a set of 1/2 ton 2002 Ford rear springs. Very long, with an offset pin to move the axle back ~3" to the rear while maintaining the front spring mounts. For the front I will either use my rear Troop leafs or go with the 92+ Yota rear springs.

I am swapping in a dana 44 into the fornt of my 87' trooper. I was also considering using the stock trooper rear springs up front to save some cash. I am planning to get some junkyard Chevy 1/2 ton springs for the 14-bolt going in the rear. Has anyone seen anybody use the stock rears up front before? I am hoping it will still sit pretty level, but am worried if it will sit too tall.

[paulevans76]

so rip, what the fawk is taking so long:flipoff2: