Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: Xj matt on August 27, 2012, 10:03:00 AM

Title: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: Xj matt on August 27, 2012, 10:03:00 AM: Hi guys, just a quick one, has anyone ever removed the inner arches on an xj. I have a 93 model 4.0l ho and want to fit some custom wheel arches, I have done the front no problem as this is obviously a separate panel and holds no real support to the shape of the car.
When I looked at doing the back the skin inside the arch is spot welded right arOund the edge of the arch and I'm worried if I cut into this to open the arch up it's going to weaken the structure.
I have looked at numerpus website where people have fitted Napier fender flares and one said he had to weld the inner skin back together once it was cut enough to fit the fender.

http://www.bc4x4.com/pv/xj/napier-flares/rear.cfm (http://www.bc4x4.com/pv/xj/napier-flares/rear.cfm)

Am I right to worry or am I being paranoid?

Any help is always appreciated.

Matt.
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: Mike Pavelin on August 27, 2012, 11:40:26 AM: If you're talking about the rear, they need to be welded properly.
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: Xj matt on August 27, 2012, 04:46:20 PM: Ok thought so. So if I cut and hammer my slots then weld the outer skin to the inner that should keep the strength?
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: Dave69 on August 27, 2012, 05:53:57 PM: once you start cutting you will realise where the body seams are, you cant cut that far back but seam weld what add on.

look at pirate4x4, NAXJA for ideas or should that be extremes of xj body modification
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: JamesH on August 27, 2012, 06:12:46 PM: I cut mine back to where they separated in a lot of places and just clamped them back together and welded them. If going this route take care not to set the interior on fire :icon_twisted:

For bigger than 35's look into the pirate4x4 and NAXJA forums where they do new rear arches.
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: Xj matt on August 27, 2012, 06:18:27 PM: Lol yeah I'll be sure to remove the carpets and plastic. Won't be going bigger than 35s tbh. Just need to open them up about an inch or two and wanted to check whether welding would defo be needed. How far back did you cut yours?
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: JamesH on August 27, 2012, 08:12:36 PM: Almost as large as the TJ flares I fitted and it was the sealant and paint that caught fire on mine.
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: Xj matt on August 27, 2012, 09:36:12 PM: Oh haha I'll get the hose ready then. :lol_hitting:
Are they the fenders in your pic? If so uv cut loads back!? What size tires you running?
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: JamesH on August 28, 2012, 10:30:09 AM: 33s in my avatar pic, 35s now. The most separation I got between inner and outer was about 2cm when I cut back and I could pull the two together and weld in most places - I think I used some sheet steel to fill 2-3 wider gaps but nothing more than about an inch
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: Xj matt on August 28, 2012, 10:05:18 PM: Sweet cheers mate. R u going to cf?
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: JamesH on August 29, 2012, 08:14:49 AM: Yep - no scrutinising my shitty bird dropping welds though :003:
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: Xj matt on August 29, 2012, 05:18:32 PM: Haha as if you haven't seen mine yet. Gonna try and get the rears done before cf but not looking good tbh. Where r u from?
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: JamesH on August 29, 2012, 05:35:50 PM: Northampton / Milton Keynes area. TBH I find the best approach is to attack with a jigsaw / grinder / reciprocating saw early in the morning and then spend the res tof the day trying to fix it. You might get the room you want by just slitting up to the seam and folding the metal over.
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: Xj matt on August 29, 2012, 09:40:40 PM: Haha yep that's pretty much my method of work. Seems to have worked so far.
I think that should give me enough space tbh cus I'm hoping to get sum new leafs soon so they will give a bit of extra space and I won't be going over 35" tires!

Have you re geared your diffs or replaced them?
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: JamesH on August 29, 2012, 10:18:43 PM: Currently on 4.10 gears with lockers, going 4.88 over the winter.
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: Xj matt on August 30, 2012, 12:42:37 PM: How much does re gearing roughly tend to cost?
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: JamesH on August 30, 2012, 01:10:55 PM: I do it myself but basically (unless you are lucky getting deals, discounts and lucky eBay purchases):

Gears 150-250 per axle
Master Re-build kit 100 per axle
Carrier / Locker 100-1000 per axle
misc. seals, oils, cleaning gubbins and gasket materials 20-50 per axle

Labour ?? I think I was quoted about 200 per axle cash with the axle stripped from vehicle and delivered to the guy it.

Prices above can be GBP or USD, shipping big chunks of metal from US adds a bit but can be cheaper than UK purchases.
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: Xj matt on August 30, 2012, 05:04:41 PM: Oh ur lucky enough to do it urself. Fancy doing mine? :icon_jook:
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: JamesH on August 31, 2012, 10:42:42 AM: If you want to go big then consider buying Mike Cuff's axles
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: Xj matt on August 31, 2012, 12:11:07 PM: Is that sum1 on here or is that sum1 who makes them?
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: JamesH on August 31, 2012, 08:18:13 PM: Look at the jeep tj caliper upgrade thread in this section, mikec gives specs
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: Xj matt on August 31, 2012, 09:58:52 PM: Oh cheers would they fit straight onto and xj or would they need quite a lot of customising to fit?
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: JamesH on September 01, 2012, 07:07:40 AM: Front axle is fine, rear axle would need shock and spring mounts changing
Title: Re: Xj rear inner wheel arch wells.
Post by: Xj matt on September 01, 2012, 11:21:35 PM: Ah cool have to look into that then. Cut the 1 arch out today, got some welding to do now but looks way better already, just got to get the new fender on then do the same the other side.
Cheers for your advice on all of that mate really appreciate it!