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How to: modify wheel wells for larger tires/Negative offsets

Leif_Ram2019

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Has anyone powder coated their stock rims?

That's a random question for this thread. But yes.. yes I have.

Back on-topic... I started this on my Laramie yesterday. I followed the 'bend it back' method. I used pliers to first straighten the tab, then I created a new bend at the point where others cut-it-off. It cracked the paint so I sanded with some 320 grit and painted the affected area.

I'm now waiting on new clips to come in the mail so I can put everything back together. But I think it will earn me some decent clearance. I'll take some pics of the reassembly. But here's a short video of what I was dealing with.

My set-up is ORP + 2" ReadyLift with UCA's. Wheels are 18" Rebel rims but with a 1.5" Bora spacer. Therefore it's the equivalent of going from a +19 offset to a -19 offset. Tires are Nitto Terra Grappler 295/70R18 (34.2" x 11.6"). I'd like to go to true 35" x 12.5" tires. So it all depends how much clearance I earn here!

last note: I had already done some trimming to the spat which helped. But on hard braking and turning there was an occasional rub.

 
Last edited:

Leif_Ram2019

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Note: Here are the parts you may need to replace. Kind of surprised the stupid push-pin (black plug thingy that holds the fender liner in place) are $4.14.

Part Number​
Part Name​
Price​
Quantity​
Total​
68499020AA​
Attaching Clip​
$0.41​
5​
$2.05​
6506293AA​
Push Pin​
$4.14​
5​
$20.70​
68349567AB​
Front Fender Spat, Left​
$7.65​
1​
$7.65​
 

Ellisstrong

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Note: Here are the parts you may need to replace. Kind of surprised the stupid push-pin (black plug thingy that holds the fender liner in place) are $4.14.

Part Number​
Part Name​
Price​
Quantity​
Total​
68499020AA​
Attaching Clip​
$0.41​
5​
$2.05​
6506293AA​
Push Pin​
$4.14​
5​
$20.70​
68349567AB​
Front Fender Spat, Left​
$7.65​
1​
$7.65​

Do you know the past number for the right front fender spat?
 

VaBeachRam

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That's a random question for this thread. But yes.. yes I have.

Back on-topic... I started this on my Laramie yesterday. I followed the 'bend it back' method. I used pliers to first straighten the tab, then I created a new bend at the point where others cut-it-off. It cracked the paint so I sanded with some 320 grit and painted the affected area.

I'm now waiting on new clips to come in the mail so I can put everything back together. But I think it will earn me some decent clearance. I'll take some pics of the reassembly. But here's a short video of what I was dealing with.

My set-up is ORP + 2" ReadyLift with UCA's. Wheels are 18" Rebel rims but with a 1.5" Bora spacer. Therefore it's the equivalent of going from a +19 offset to a -19 offset. Tires are Nitto Terra Grappler 295/70R18 (34.2" x 11.6"). I'd like to go to true 35" x 12.5" tires. So it all depends how much clearance I earn here!

last note: I had already done some trimming to the spat which helped. But on hard braking and turning there was an occasional rub.


Can you elaborate on the bend it back method? So you didn't cut that tab at all, just bent it vertically? Did you have to drill any holes, use zip ties, use a heat gun to mold the plastic, etc.? I have 285/65/20 (34.8 x 11.5) and they rub like crazy on stock wheels with a 1" spacer, would be way worse with a 1.5" spacer which is what I want to put on it.
 

VaBeachRam

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Works the same way. But, instead of cutting off the tab just bend it up. Then you can drill a hole on the new vertical surface and reuse the body clip to secure the flare and spat.

Did you have to mold any of the plastic still with a heat gun or did drilling that new hole and using the factory body clip hold it back enough?
 

RebelWraith

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Did you have to mold any of the plastic still with a heat gun or did drilling that new hole and using the factory body clip hold it back enough?
You still have to mold it slightly with a heat gun. If not the spat will try and pull away from the body where it meets the rocker panel.
 

NH_Ram

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I too just bent the tab straight up instead of cutting and painted the cracked paint (its hidden anyways). I also reused the large plastic push pin instead of drilling a new hole in the metal and using a zip tie. I did have to drill a new hole in the plastic wheel well to lineup with the bracket but reused the push pin.

I then put the mud flaps in my vice and heated them to make the lower end much less wide. These two changes made it so I have no rubbing at all with my 35x12.50x20's on 20x9 +1mm rims.
 

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DGator

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Has anyone powder coated their stock rims?


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Depends on which rims, if they have any of the plastic chrome plating you are out of luck as most are glued on. I have a Laramie Sport 4X4 and wanted to do that. Now just gonna buy some XD847 wheels and sell my OEM ones.
 

dantheman

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Late to the party...but installed 2" leveling kit and 295/65R20's AT3's (35.1x11.5) on stock 2020 Laramie wheels. Had slight rub on dealer installed RAM splashguards under full turn. Minor plastic trimming on splashguard and spalshshield did the trick. No heating/bending plastic req'd.
 

Millertime157

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I just ordered a 4" BDS, 20"x12" Helo wheels with 35"x12.50" tires. I think those wheels are a -44 offset with 4.5" backspacing. I don't really care about the small OEM mudflap, is that the only rubbing issue? Anyone know if this setup will clear with minimal, plastic, trimming? 2019 Ram 1500 4x4 sport, Laramie, Non ORP.
 

Oldcoons

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Thank you for this write up. I had the 285/60/20 tires removed and put 35/12.5/20 Falken Wildpeaks on today and they rubbed fairly hard on the drivers side. Took me maybe an hour to do it. I had to remove the mopar mudflaps from the front but now have plenty of room for the flat style duraflaps that should be showing up in the mail tomorrow. Truck is a 2020 limited ORP with the links and daystars up front. Love the look.
 

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Carlos.33193

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I have a set of 37x12.5R22 -44 offset tires/wheeks coming in soon. We'll see if this modification works for those.
 

Mountain Whiskey

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It's a shame to have to do all the work to a truck to get a decent size tire on. I put 35/12.5s on my stock rims and suspension on a Jeep Rubicon. Jeeps pass us and laugh at the small tires. Moderate lift and you can stick 40's on it...
 

FuriousDZ

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It's a shame to have to do all the work to a truck to get a decent size tire on. I put 35/12.5s on my stock rims and suspension on a Jeep Rubicon. Jeeps pass us and laugh at the small tires. Moderate lift and you can stick 40's on it...
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve had 3 jeeps with 3” lifts and running 37’s with no rubbing and plenty of travel. However my jeep did not ride anything like my bighorn so I guess there’s a trade off. Plus on a Jeep the wheels are outside of the body and at the corners which helps :)
 

Carlos.33193

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I gotta say, I just installed 37x12.5R22 -44 offset, and no amount of heat gun will get these things to fit without rubbing. I am on a 5 inch RC air lift + custom links giving me another 1-1.5".

I had to use custom Air Links so I could get the already 5" lift even higher, I'm in about Off-road 2 setting (with custom links). I had to trim the front plastic valance, I had to heat gun and zip tie the inner liner towards the back, and I had to trim the inside of the bushwhacker fenders but even then the tires were rubbing on the metal tab. I had to grind about 3/8"-1/2" off to get them to fit without rubbing. With all this said I have about 1/4" clearance on all sides, if I lower the air suspension at all I won't be able to make full radius turns.
 

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RebelWraith

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I gotta say, I just installed 37x12.5R22 -44 offset, and no amount of heat gun will get these things to fit without rubbing. I am on a 5 inch RC air lift + custom links giving me another 1-1.5".

I had to use custom Air Links so I could get the already 5" lift even higher, I'm in about Off-road 2 setting (with custom links). I had to trim the front plastic valance, I had to heat gun and zip tie the inner liner towards the back, and I had to trim the inside of the bushwhacker fenders but even then the tires were rubbing on the metal tab. I had to grind about 3/8"-1/2" off to get them to fit without rubbing. With all this said I have about 1/4" clearance on all sides, if I lower the air suspension at all I won't be able to make full radius turns.
Of course the standard technique wouldn't work. You have a -44 offset and 37s. None of the lift kit manufacturers list that as a possibility that will fit at this time. The 6" lift kits mention you can fit a 37" tire, but with nowhere near that offset.
 

ayoslickxd

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lol should of did 20s. with those 37s get more meat but very nice truck 😎
 

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