dinky fenders tips?

[grunt95]

I just bough the dinky fenders for the honcho and i am struggling on how to cut out the curve of the fender. I dont know where i should start or how high it should be either. I will be using treps if that helps. Though some people who have already does this could chime in and help out a noob.
Thanks in advance.

[ROLANDROCKSHOP]

look closely and you'll see a line to follow for the cut...

[grunt95]

wait really? I have the clear ones and i really cant see a line i guess maybe i need glasses.. thanks for the help!

[TacoCrawler]

My first set had a definable line...
but a new set I obtained recently is even less distinct.
Probably the mold is old...
or the vacuum forming process was too hurried.
My new set seems to have more flaws as well.
Including flat spots on the exterior surface

If the wheel wheel markings are not definable...
then another method will be required.

I used a plastic lid off a food product jar...
that was close to the tire diameter I was using. (4.25")
But it was drawn slightly undersized to my exact tire diameter.
^ I wanted my wheel well openings to be a very close fit
to the tire diameter at full compression. (without rub)


* a compass comes in handy for drawing circles... if ya have one.

I then traced/transfer'd that outline of the circular lid
onto a piece of paper to become my pattern.
pattern cut out... was used at both sides.

Then I installed the bedsides to the rear cage/flat bed surface.

After the bedsides were mounted...
I then measured for my specific wheel base... 12.3"
Measuring from the center line of the front wheel well
back to the bedsides.
At the 12.3" point I made a vertical mark on the bedside(s)
designating that as the center line of my wheel well openings
on the Rr bedside(s). (wheel well height will be determined/adjusted later on)

With my undersized paper circular pattern (marked on center)...
then aligned with the centered markings on my wheel wells...
I used that to trace a half circular pattern
at the lower edge of the bedside(s).
* Initially lower then what my tire height required.

* I used small pieces of spray painting masking tape
to hold the circular paper pattern into position
while I traced around that.

This method offered a rough estimate as to where the well's should be.
I only used the upper half of my paper circle pattern initially.
Later when I needed to increase the rise of the wheel wells...
I used the same paper pattern, raising that slightly
and retraced new lines.

* using a non-permanent marker would be of help.
so if ya fubar that initially... it could be erased and redone.

* there is a protective film on the exterior of the bedsides
so the marker is not actually marking the lexan surface.

Once the wheel well openings were initially established
and marginally cut out... (half radius).
I mounted the body to the chassis with the tires installed.
This allows one to be sure their wheel well opening is centered
correctly to the tire positions...
and if it's off a little... can be trimmed either forward
or rearward some. (one of the reasons for the smaller circle pattern diameter)

To trim the wheel wells better...
was time to break out the dremel.
I used a barrel sanding bit to open the wheel wells even further.
I also reused my paper pattern for redrawing the lines
when I had to enlarge the wheel wells slightly.

If you don't have a dremel... get one...
or at the very least... use curved lexan cutting scissors.
Trimming off small increments for each adjustment.

IMO... cutting the wheel wells to their full opening the first round...
is a permanent deal. And if fubar'd... well...

so start with a smaller opening then needed...
and enlarge and recenter that opening where necessary.

Keep in mind... patience is a virtue
Measure twice, maybe 3 times, before you cut.


and good luck

edited for: some "dinky" entertainment

[grunt95]

THANKS! i can kinda see the out line so i might try to wing it. also like the rear bumper too! Say what did you have to do to make that light bar fit up there?

[TacoCrawler]

It's the Axial 5 led universal light bar kit.
with optional stand off links and other optional mounting parts included.
It will bolt on easy to the Honcho's rear cage assembly.

the Part # is... AX30709

It will also bolt to the... wraith, Dingo, Honcho and Exo (terra) directly.

could probably be adapted to others as well.

[grunt95]

ok cool thank you again!