how I shaved my fenders

I finished up the UAS install on my 97 LS400 the other week-and definitely want to push the wheels out more since they suck in on full deflation.  I would have to modify the fenders to get the clearance I want (1 inch in the back~25mm), and 3/4 inch in the front~20mm-may go 1 inch here as well depending on clearance).  I was going to roll the fenders-but I want them to be rolled as flat as possible on the inside.  No matter how much you heat, there is bound to be some paint cracks and dimples if you want to roll that much.  After searching, I did what many others have done for their Toyotas/Lexus's-cut the fenders.  Sounds scary-but its honestly very simple with the correct tools and the results are pretty good.  Here is how I started:
Get an air body saw-I picked this up on the cheap from Harbor Frieght for under $20.00

[IMG]http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr110/polobai/LexusMay09011.jpg[/IMG]

Then take your time and tape up your fenders-this serves two purposes-one is a guide to follow with the air saw, and the other is to protect what you dont want cut/damaged.  In this pic, you can see I already started to cut the fender.

[IMG]http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr110/polobai/LexusMay09009.jpg[/IMG]

Continue to cut-take your time with it.  Here you can see that I placed my tape line on the edge of the yellow screw holes that used to hold the black fender trim on.

[IMG]http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr110/polobai/LexusMay09010.jpg[/IMG]

Here is what I cut out-honestly, taking my time it took no more than 5 minutes to cut this off with the air saw.

[IMG]http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr110/polobai/LexusMay09012.jpg[/IMG]

Here is how it looks completed

[IMG]http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr110/polobai/LexusMay09013.jpg[/IMG]

And the top of the fenders 
[IMG]http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr110/polobai/LexusMay09014.jpg[/IMG]

what I did to combat the rust is to spray on a rust preventive primer on the cut surface of the fender.  I wanted to use Etching primer-but could not find any handy, so I used some "Rust proof" primer from Duplicolor.  This should work fine.  Here is the drivers side cut and primed up.
[IMG]http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr110/polobai/LexusMay09015.jpg[/IMG]

A quick hint when priming-leave the tape on you used as a guide-this will keep it off the paint of your car.    As you see, I got some on the inner fender lining-but I will clean that up later.  Also another note is that I left the fender lining on for the front-seems to hold pretty well with the other bolts.

I hope this helps some others that may be a little skeptical on cutting up their cars-but try it and I think you will be satisfied with the results!  Now the rain needs to let up so I can do the rears!

Nice. I never seen that air tool b4. I used a cordless reciprocating saw for my rears. It was like  cutting butter with a hot knife. Be careful though.

Thats a mean gap. Git er filled! Awesome job!

i couldnt see myself chopping my shit like that.

[QUOTE=urmyhero4now;249238]i couldnt see myself chopping my shit like that.[/QUOTE]

Understandable...but dont pay someone else to do it for you-they will do the same thing and take your money-LOL!

[QUOTE=Lexus Soarer;249209]Thats a mean gap. Git er filled! Awesome job![/QUOTE]



Thanks, Ichiba spacers on order-decided to go with the 25mm v2 series (about 1 inch)-i hope my wheels clear with the current tires!

OK, i did the rears after work today.  They are way more thick than the front-two pieces of metal with rubber undercoating on the back side.  Taking my time, it still took less than 10 minutes per side to cut.

[IMG]http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr110/polobai/LexusMay09017.jpg[/IMG]

Pic of the drivers side completed

[IMG]http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr110/polobai/LexusMay09018.jpg[/IMG]

Drivers side front in comparison to the wheel fully deflated

[IMG]http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr110/polobai/LexusMay09019.jpg[/IMG]

passenger side rear

[IMG]http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr110/polobai/LexusMay09020.jpg[/IMG]

Good job but with a title like that, I was expecting to hear something ridiculous like you shaved them with a butcher knife.

well that looks like the perfect tool for it...'
 
good job....keep us updated

Thanks, I think I am going to finish it off by putting some black door edge molding on it to prevent cutting up the tires on the side(this will also help keep the water out)...but I have to wait for the spacers to get in to see if I have any room for it (hopefully I should).  I will post pics when the spacers are on with the new fitment.