How did you trim parts

[Big Joe]

I just received my new tires and wheels.....I have a 2001 GMC 2500 HD and bought Weld Stone Crusher Wheels and BFG ATKO's.  The wheels are 16-8...And the tires are 285-75-16...Put them on and tires are rubbing a a few spots....What did everyone use to trim the front air dam.... And can you use a heat gun or something to heat up the mud guards to get them out of the way.....When I say mud guards I mean the inner wheel well linnings......Not sure the proper name....Any help would be greatly appreciated......These new wheels and tires make the truck look totaly different and awesome.....How do you post pics on here and I will post a few before and after shots if anyone wants......Joe

[Cyclic]

I put a larger set on a customers truck and found the major rubbing to be at the front bottom edge of the fender liner just below the plastic retainer. If you will bend the metal that the retainer is attached to it will move the fender liner forward out of the way. The inner fender where you are bending to open up the fender liner might need the plastic retainer replaced by a bolt set up to hold it firmly to the liner.

As for the air dam a razor knife works very well. I used some tape for a guide, starting on top cut at the mold line and angle forward to about one inch at the bottom from the same mold line. After the air dam rolls under cut more toward the front of the truck and it will look fine.  If you have more questions let me know.

[Shaners]

Alot of guys are just cranking up the front torsion bars to fit their 285's on there.  I'm guessing that the new wheels may the reason for the "rub", and you may still have to do a little trimming.

[gmcjoe]

I put those same tires on my 1500 Sierra and have no rubbing.

 

I would think an HD would have even more clearance?

[hogger999]

That's strange. I wouldn't think you woud have any rubbing with the wheels only being 8 inches wide ???

 

Raising the torsion bars should eliminate any need for cutting. If you still need to trim somthing. I have used a Saws-All with a fine toothed blade in the past.

[BDBWTE]

2500HD with 285/75/R16's and a 300lbs ranchand front end replacement up on the nose and she don't rub...it must be the backspacing on your wheels..

[SoMnDMAX]

I used a Sawzall to trim my front air dam. A hacksaw with a fine blade will work too.

 

A Heat Gun works really good to warm up the inner fender. I take it it's rubbing on the front drivers side? Just heat and bend the lower part of the inner fender forward.

 

Otherwise, Cyclic pretty much summed it up.

 

Here's a pic of the trimming I had to do-

 

Picture Trail

[HendyPhoto]

I dont know if your truck is very similar to the 2002's, but I used an exacto knife to cut the plastic parts, BE VERY CAREFUL!!   I accidentally put a slice through my windshield washer fluid reservoir, it sits right behind the plastic in the front left wheel well!  What the heck, just another part to replace!  Unless there is a way to patch the wiper fluid reservoir!

[Woody1]

when I put my tires on, I had to trim a bit off front air dam too. Before I did this, i looked at raiseing it via torsion bars, and if you look at the angle, if you raised it, the dam woluld get closer to the tire. so didnt go that route. Took a white fluid marker ( one used for marking steel ) and just traced same contour of the tire on the air dam. No amount was taken off the top, but same distance was taken off the bottom as the spacing at the top. Once it was traced, took a jig-saw (not sawsall...more control with a jigsaw) and simply trimed the small amount off that was traced. The inner mud shield would rub when the truck was turning, so took a small propane torch, heated it up where it was hitting, and had a cold/wet rag handy and pushed on it when it was warm. Pushed it up out of the way....no more rubbing on front air dam, no more rubbing on inner parts .....life is good! Take your time.