extending factory wheel wells, '84 ranger

[Ty84]

so here is my solution to a common problem, my 33" tires wouldnt fit under the factory wheel wells so i decided to make em 3 inches taller and 3 inches longer while still maintaining the stock look.

so first i cut the fenders out in big squares with plenty of extra to trim if i wanted a bigger opening, then i cut the piece in half and mounted it where i wanted it on the fender using butt weld clamps. i dont know if you have ever used butt weld clamps before but they are a life saver when it comes to this type of welding!

then i started stitch welding it back together, i used a MIG welder on this side but once i start on the drivers side im gonna try to TIG it

here are a few pictures of the fender after all the welds, you can see the patches i had to make

and yesterday i finished all the grinding on the welds

so today im doing a little bondo and primer then on to the other side, so hopefully ill have pics tonight! if anyone has any questions or suggestions feel free to post em!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I wonder how fullsize wheel wells would compare?

Otherwise it does look very good

 

[jhammel85]

That looks great! I like the idea of the clamps. I was going to use magnets myself but I like the idea of those more.

 

[Ty84]

hmmm... those are both good ideas with the magnets and also the full sized fenders!

anyways i didnt get enough time to spray on the primer before i had to leave my grandpas shop but the bondo is done!

here it is with bare metal

and this is how it is now with all the bondo done

since i have all day tomorrow to do primer i decided to just do the whole truck, itl be nice to see it a solid color for once haha

 

[Ty84]

so here it is with primer, looks like it was supposed to look like that haha

 

[Insanejughead]

Agreed. Awesome.

 

[Ty84]

thanks! i need to fix a few little electrical things on the ranger but i think ill be done with that and busting out the TIG welder to start on the drivers side fender by tuesday im not doing the rear cause im planning on making a custom bed by the end of summer

 

[Ty84]

also if you guys wanna check out the whole build thread for my ranger heres the link http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128624
at least i hope thats the link... iv never posted a link before haha

 

[Snoranger]

That looks pretty good. I've stretched wheel wells on a few cars we back-halved at the chassis shop (a 33x15x15 slick doesnt just fit in a cars wheel well very easy, LOL), it can be a very time consuming process.

 

[Ty84]

yeah it took a while, the grinding is the worst part by far tho haha

 

[Snoranger]

yeah it took a while, the grinding is the worst part by far tho haha

TIG will help with that.

 

[4.0B2]

i LOVE it.. I'm thinking of doing this to a set of junkyard fenders for mine, have them ready for whenever I wanna repaint it again. matching my paint wouldn't be easy lol

 

[Ty84]

thanks! your b2 would look sick with stretched fenders like this! and yeah im hoping that the TIG cuts out a lot of grinding and itl be a softer weld so i can do a little hammer work while welding

 

[Ty84]

i started on my drivers side fender yesterday, and TIG is working pretty dang good on it

so i got it all tacked in, hopefully the gaps will be filled by tonight or tomorrow

 

[Chevelle Kid]

That's some damn good work you're doing there! Keep it up, I want to see how it looks with the whole truck in frame.

Ben