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After installing our Peak Suspension 2.25" (front) and 2" (rear) lift kit, we thought we were going to have enough clearance all the way around for our 35" tires, but a little trimming was still required.
Here is a look at exactly what it takes to trim the front bumper and the rear fender near the rocker panel.
If you have not already read the post on how to remove the components inside the wheel well, read this post:
Crash Plate and Splash Guard Removal.
Once you have removed those parts, you can proceed with the following trimming process.
We had the most rubbing on the front bumper, which is a good thing in my opinion. It's always easier to take off material in the front than in the rear near the firewall. You have plenty of options on how you want to cut these lines, but we tried to be as conservative as possible. I think these cut lines would work for a 34" tire, but eventually I am going to have to come back and recut lines further in, as we're still slightly rubbing at full lock reverse on the bumper coming out of the driveway and dropping off curbs. And, we have not fully cycled the suspension without the coilover installed to test true fitment and clearance. For now, this was a quick and dirty cut to get us daily driving. Furthermore, we do not have aftermarket UCAs installed at this time, and we set our caster pretty far forward to prevent rubbing in the rear - which is what caused all the rubbing in the front. Regardless, something has to give, and if you plan on running 35" tires on the 6th Gen 4Runner, you will need to trim the front and rear.
Front Bumper Trimming Steps:
The plastic fender flare and sheet metal fender near the rocker panel are easier. Cut your preferred line as you see fit at an angle, removing a corner piece of sheet metal (pictured above). We didn't trim any of the fender flare, but we may in the future. With this cut and our caster set far forward, we were able to clear at full lock in reverse and forward.
Here is the cut line from underneath the 4Runner looking up at the bumper. You can see the previous bolt holes where the felt fender liner sat. We removed those hardware/holes and now only have the two hardware/holes remaining.
You can see we have plenty of clearance where the fender meets the rocker panel, but it's still pretty tight at the front bumper.
Here is a look at exactly what it takes to trim the front bumper and the rear fender near the rocker panel.
If you have not already read the post on how to remove the components inside the wheel well, read this post:
Crash Plate and Splash Guard Removal.
Once you have removed those parts, you can proceed with the following trimming process.
Front Bumper Before Trimming
We had the most rubbing on the front bumper, which is a good thing in my opinion. It's always easier to take off material in the front than in the rear near the firewall. You have plenty of options on how you want to cut these lines, but we tried to be as conservative as possible. I think these cut lines would work for a 34" tire, but eventually I am going to have to come back and recut lines further in, as we're still slightly rubbing at full lock reverse on the bumper coming out of the driveway and dropping off curbs. And, we have not fully cycled the suspension without the coilover installed to test true fitment and clearance. For now, this was a quick and dirty cut to get us daily driving. Furthermore, we do not have aftermarket UCAs installed at this time, and we set our caster pretty far forward to prevent rubbing in the rear - which is what caused all the rubbing in the front. Regardless, something has to give, and if you plan on running 35" tires on the 6th Gen 4Runner, you will need to trim the front and rear.
Front Bumper Trimming Steps:
- Remove the three bolts underneath the bumper and push the felt liner forward until the back of the felt liner reaches the forward-most bolt hole.
- Punch a new hole in the felt liner and secure it in the new location using existing hardware.
- Now you have a guide for what to cut first. You should have an exposed 1" line that can be cut off first from the flare all the way down the bumper, just on the edge of where the felt liner now sits.
- Clean your lines as needed with a flap disc, sandpaper, or fine file.
Fender Rocker Panel Before Trimming
The plastic fender flare and sheet metal fender near the rocker panel are easier. Cut your preferred line as you see fit at an angle, removing a corner piece of sheet metal (pictured above). We didn't trim any of the fender flare, but we may in the future. With this cut and our caster set far forward, we were able to clear at full lock in reverse and forward.
Front Bumper Underneath Before Trimming
Here is the cut line from underneath the 4Runner looking up at the bumper. You can see the previous bolt holes where the felt fender liner sat. We removed those hardware/holes and now only have the two hardware/holes remaining.
Final Fitment After Trimming
You can see we have plenty of clearance where the fender meets the rocker panel, but it's still pretty tight at the front bumper.
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