1st Gen Tundra/Sequoia Pinch Weld Mod

916z06

New Member
Nov 14, 2019
17
3
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Well since there isn't much info on this or photos to help with the visualization of this mod, I thought I would give some input on this. I mounted up some 285/75-17s on 17x8.5 -10ET and had some rubbing on the pinch welds. So I've done this mod on my 02 Tacoma back in the day and 92 4runner on 35s. This is what I did to remedy this issue and hopefully can help someone else as it may seem daunting without any info. Now this is how I completed this mod and others may have done it another way, Great. Please share you info if you would like.
*** I am not responsible for any damages you may incur while performing this mod, if you feel it is too difficult for you to perform, take it to a professional to complete for you.

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Tools needed -
Jack
Jack stands
Lug wrench
10mm wrench or socket
Big Hammer
Snips or cut off wheel - something to trim the lower fender and/or cut slits in the pinch weld
Heat gun (if you are trying to keep the liner intact and remold it
Phillips screw driver & flat head

- Jack the front end of the vehicle up, place jack stands underneath to hold up the front end of the truck.
- Remove wheels and set under the truck
- Remove mud flaps, 2 or 3 10mm bolts - No pictures and pretty straight as I had already removed them
- Remove the 10mm bolts along the fender flare and splash guard. Remove or pull splash guard to the side to reveal the pinch welds
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- Remove this 10mm bolt below the fender, 10mm holding the pinch welds together, pulled the lower fender out of the way and re-install the 10mm. Now you can cut slits in the pinch welds with a cut off wheel to help aid with the folding of the pinch weld, but my neighbor borrowed my cut off wheel and was not home. So I had to do without the slits and you can too.
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- Now your ready to introduce the HAMMER and go to town, I started out slowly to make sure I started the folding and once it was going, HAMMERTIME.

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- Then went to the lower fender by the bolt hole and used snips to cut the front area of the fender and left he part in front of it.

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- Bolt the fender back in place, with some pliers, straighten this piece out by pulling it downwards towards the front. With the hammer, start by slowly banging the the end of the flattened end upwards towards the pinch welds, wants it starts to fold and push flat against the pinch weld you are good. Forgot to take pictures of the fold but you should get it.
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- Once it looks good enough for you to approve of it, apply seam sealer or under coat spray liner & let dry, re-install fender liner, bolt on where you can or cut the lower portion off and leave exposed. If you leave the lower portion of the liner on, you can use a heat gun and try to reform it. Below I applied heat and tried to reform, used a self tapping sheet metal screw to hold the lower portion to fender that I folded upwards. Trim side steps to clear, don't mind the ugly trim job as I will be replacing it with some sliders soon.

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- Re-install your 10mm bolts under the fender with liner in place, bolt the wheels back on, torque to spec and take it out to flex and check clearance.

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- You may need to go back and massage the pinch welds some more if you didn't folding the welds over enough. If you did, great job. Now go and enjoy the fruits of your labor, hope you found this helpful in some way.

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OldManTan

Active Member
Apr 7, 2020
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I’ll be trying this/something close to this when we put the 315/75 R16s on my 16x8 -6 wheels. Will share the results as well since my tires are a bit wider. I also have a steel front bumper and will be adding some forward camber if clearance isn’t good enough.
 

DBGone

New Member
Sep 28, 2020
5
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I’ll be trying this/something close to this when we put the 315/75 R16s on my 16x8 -6 wheels. Will share the results as well since my tires are a bit wider. I also have a steel front bumper and will be adding some forward camber if clearance isn’t good enough.
Please let me know how it goes. I was looking at 295/75r16 because I know the fit on the stock wheels. I have 2 spares and don’t want to have to buy 6 new wheels. But if the 315/75’s fit that’s what I’ll go with.
 

falconc_

New Member
Mar 9, 2019
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0
1
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I’ll be trying this/something close to this when we put the 315/75 R16s on my 16x8 -6 wheels. Will share the results as well since my tires are a bit wider. I also have a steel front bumper and will be adding some forward camber if clearance isn’t good enough.
Any updates on the 315/75's? I was looking at getting the same size. Thanks
 

OldManTan

Active Member
Apr 7, 2020
41
28
18
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Update. Running the Camburg arms and a 16x8 -13 wheel (I clear the UCA by about 5-7 mm with the 315/75 R16) and after getting the alignment it rubs fairly bad. I’ll be honest, I don’t know how much lift I have up front since I’m running stock springs on 5100s on the second notch with a steel bumper until my FOX struts arrive. So about to rent a welder and go to town. Alignment specs I’ve dialed in for as much clearance as I can muster and the specs are abysmal so...chopping will be the only answer.
 

p0st4L

New Member
Mar 14, 2021
1
0
1
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Thanks for this! Putting 285/70r17's on my billy 5100 (3rd notch) '03, and have slight rubbing. Gonna go bang on some stuff tomorrow. Cheers