Offroading Subarus

Where we modify and drive flat fours

83 Subaru Leone 4dr 4WD – Fender Cutting to fit Kumho 27×8.5R14’s

Because I decided to do this project without a lift kit I needed to do a lot of fender cutting. The main reasons for this was to be original, affordable and I can fit the tyres without a lift so why? Luckily because of my custom radius rods the tyres fit in without rubbing the back of the fender wall (where you feet are). Unluckily the wheel sits to far forward now and rubs on the battery tray area on both sides.

First up I took the front air dam piece off and cut below the bumper.

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I then cut what I thought needed to be cut out of the fender. This is what it looked like with the 27mm longer radius rod and no cutting. Then the first cut

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Although after that cut I found the tyres would rub the top of the fender. So I measured the shock absorber travel and measured up the fender how far I need to cut.

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With this amount chopped out the tyres fitted and only rubs on that battery tray area. But because I chopped the flared out part of the fender off the tyres were now sticking out about 55mm. This requires rubber flaring to fix. My brother used this stuff on his 4runner and I quite liked it. And at $13 a metre its a steal of a price.
Using short metal “tech screws” and a hole puncher its a simple job of just holding in place and screwing it on.

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I thought while I was at it I may as well set up some mud flaps. And why stop at just rubber flaps when you car go the whole hog and chain them up

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using 12x3mm aluminium with some pop rivets and small chain I held the mud flaps away from the tyres so they won’t get caught up and ripped off.

The rear clears alright, but does need bump stops to stop the tyres hitting the top of the fender.

Pervious Page – 4WD 5sp Conversion | Next Page – Radius Rods

Phizinza

I bought my first Subaru back in 2005, it was a 89 Brumby, flair red. I lifted it, fitted Kumho 27″ MT’s. After a while I swapped the dual carb EA81 it had with an EJ22 bolted on a custom gearbox which used EJ D/R casing, EA82 5sp low range and an RX centre locking diff. Once I sold the Brumby I got a 83 Leone. Converted it to 4WD, put the Kumho’s on it, added a 5sp and drove it like I stole it. I then upgraded to a 99 Outback. It was hail damaged so I repaired it myself. I fitted it out with some storage and a mattress. I now have a 87 Brumby that I’ve resprayed with two pack urethane in Waratah Red. I am planning to fit an EJ with PT gearbox and a little bit of lift. It’s another project in progress.

Phizinza – who has written posts on Offroading Subarus.


November 8th, 2008 by Phizinza
Posted in Project 83