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BUSHWACKER CUT-OUTS
OK....here we go.
I special ordered my truck, and I got it straight from the plant,..brand new...
A month before I received the truck, I already had a plan,...I wanted NO lift, 36's and Bushwacker cut-outs....so I had the parts in the garage,...before I even owned the truck.
My wife told me I had to wait a week,...before I dove into the project,...I lasted 6 days, before I started cutting.
Now...for the record...I have NEVER modified any vehicle before this point,....so everything I have done to my truck up to now,..has been my first time....
So... if I can do it....anyone can do it.
First off...have someone help you...it's easier,..they won't have to do much,..if anything they'll be there for moral support,...and to fetch you beer.
Things you need,...
1. Standard garage tools....wrenches, sockets, utility knife, screw drivers,..etc
2. Nibbler....to cut the fenders...NOT A SAWZALL!!!!!...
3. Sawzall...to cut the bumpers
4. heat gun...to custom mold the inner fender well liners if needed
5. 3lb hammer...short handle
6. misc...tape, paper, rags, sharpie, tape measurer....and maybe a grinder(make things easier).
stock vs 36's (no lift)
This is how much room I had, trying to stuff 36's under the stock suspension,...obviously something had to go....turning radious was....ummmm....yeah.....ZERO...lol
Now the nerve-racking part....like I said...I had never done this before,..so I was cautious.
They send FULL directions and a TEMPLATE with the Bushwackers...so don't worry.
The first fender took about 4 hours,.,...I cut a little,...had a beer, cut a little , had another beer,...etc etc etc
In this pic,...I was no where near the "actual" cut line...I was just testing the nibbler, and getting used to it at this point....so don't freak out...lol
After doing the testing,..and knowing what I know now...IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SCREW THIS UP....there is soooooo much room for error...a monkey could do this entire thing blind folded.
OK....here are some pointers.
tape off to prevent accidental scratches.
I also used HENRY 208 Roofing Mastic(brush on roof tar) to treat the cut edges....I HIGHLY recommend you do the same....3 years...not one spot of rust...do it.
Don't worry...the flares completely cover it.
As for the bumper...you have to do that last,..and you have to "eye-ball" a good line to cut,...use a grease pencil to draw a line that you'll want to cut....try to follow the arch of the flares...I didn't get mine exactly how I wanted it....but I made my own bumper...so it doesn't matter about matching once you put an aftermarket bumper on.
The flares come with a rubber edge molding, that goes between the flare and the fender,...I had some left over,... so I glued it to the cut area on the bumper.
Finished product:
Before:
After:
Schrapnel:
I think I covered everything,...hope so.... but if ya need anything else...let me know.