Trimming for 36's

[chrisman2013]

I had a question for the members here. I have a stock height '73 K10 and plan to lift it soon. My tires are essentially bald at the moment and while looking for a new set I came across a great deal for some 36/12.50r15 tires. I need tires now and would rather buy one set as opposed to some 33's now only to get larger ones in a month or so.

 Would I be able to cut the fenders enough to run 36's at stock height? The sheet metal on the truck is pretty shot as it is, so I'm not too worried about preserving the fenders. What do ya'll think? I know a you won't be able to give a concrete answer, because every truck is different, but some guidance would be helpful. Thanks!

[pholliday1]

Per the Hot Rodding community and I quote" ANYONE CAN RESTORE A VEHICLE BUT IT TAKES A REAL MAN TO CUT ONE UP" LoL . Cut it up! Off road folks have done it for years, looking for more clearance while trying to keep a low center of gravity. Being that the sheet metal is currently "Whooped" I say trim it. If it was very clean I'd try and talk you into waiting. Post some Picts.

[chrisman2013]

I think I'll probably go for it. If anything I can always put new fenders on and have a nicer truck if it doesn't work out. If it was nice I would probably wait, but it's decanted, rusty, and rattle canned haha. I know that I can make the tires fit as far as the sheet mettle goes, what I'm more worried about is running into issues with body/frame mounts, etc. I might have to crawl under the and take a closer look and the structural components around the wheel wells to see how much room I've got to work with.

[pholliday1]

The major of our trucks have spent body mounts. There are a few good poly bushings out there that make for a good upgrade

[fitz]

Google "roadkill Baja truck". A good YouTube video will come up.
On the show roadkill they take a C10 with a LS1 in it and make it a Baja truck. They cut the front fenders & remove the rear step side fenders. They bolt on some off road tires and race it against a Baja bug.
If your truck is rusty, I say go go for it.

[Irish_Alley]

body lift it now then once youre ready put a suspension lift in
my mud trick with trimmed fenders and 6"+3" lift
with 38s

think 40s

and 44s

[Irish_Alley]

i would go with the body lift cause you can turn back from that unless you plan on replacing your fenders anyway.

[fitz]

i would go with the body lift cause you can turn back from that unless you plan on replacing your fenders anyway.

He said his truck is pretty well rusted &  already needs new sheet metal..
I say bring out the sawzall.

[Irish_Alley]

then i wouldnt even worry about lifting it down the road. save that money for the engine

[enaberif]

Google "roadkill Baja truck". A good YouTube video will come up.
On the show roadkill they take a C10 with a LS1 in it and make it a Baja truck. They cut the front fenders & remove the rear step side fenders. They bolt on some off road tires and race it against a Baja bug.
If your truck is rusty, I say go go for it.

And they cried when they did it because that as ORIGINAL sheet metal.

[chrisman2013]

I wouldn't say the truck is extremely rusty, but it's dented up and has definitely seen better days. The front of the iner fenders has completely rusted out, there's rust holes in the doors and cab, and the bed had completely rusted out so the PO replaced it with a later 80's bed. Who knows how much more rust is hiding under the rattle can paint. No one would buy this truck for its fenders or looks. Once I get my Toyota back on the road I will likely just turn this into a street-legal mud truck.

Irish_Alley, I really like the look of your cut fenders. The way they seem to simply expand the wheel wells they look almost like they could have come that way stock. How much did you chop off those? Also, what did you mean by saving my money and not lifting the truck?

Fitz that Roadkill Baja truck is pretty cool, but they're only running 31's up front. I guess with it being a C10 its lower though.

[fitz]

The rims you use play a major part in it also.
Lots of guys here are ,running 33x12.50 tires on stock 15" x 8" rims with no lift.
I say use the stock rims & cut away to fit the 36's.

[Irish_Alley]

i didnt cut them so i cant answer you on how many inches. and i think someone done them professionally cause they are rolled over so it does look bad. but imo it doesnt look right till i put 40+ inches on it. but what i was saying is you could just initially cut the fenders and not worry about buying a lift kit and just keep the cut fenders.