Pinch weld......Pound or Grind???

[bsdoig]

So in anticipation for my 285's that have been ordered, I'm trying to get information on the pinch weld mod. I currently have Tundra Bilstein (2nd perch)/890) with 1.25 wheel spacers. I've picked up some tundra split spoke 17" wheels. So I figure I'm gonna have some rubbing on the front bumper flare and pinch weld.

So my question is whats the best method to lay the pinch weld down. Pound it over with a hammer or cut it off. If cut will it expose the seam to try and separate? Just looking for some feedback on the cleanest method??

 

[Scramble]

I did a 1" body lift, easy, cheap, no pounding or grinding. 285-70R17
TRD Tundra Coils- Billy 5100's on 2nd perch.

 

[Ula'Tek]

Pound it with a big ass hammer. No need to open a seam that wasn't there to begin with.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

DO NOT cut it! Pound it with a big ****in hammer. I neatly trimmed my fender liner, and both sides(well, front and back of my front wheel) of the fender flares/valance.
I was fitting 315's... Had to do that just for street/driveway driving. Will tub my firewall and trim more this summer before I do any "wheelin".

 

[T5RUNNER]

If you grind it you won't have a pinch weld any more.

 

[UnderFire]

I've moved my firewall back about 3" with a sledgehammer on both sides at this point, it is definitely an effective method, but it ain't pretty.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

I've moved my firewall back about 3" with a sledgehammer on both sides at this point, it is definitely an effective method, but it ain't pretty.

Hey, local buddy.
That sounds horrible.
Let's see your firewall.

 

[UnderFire]

Hey, local buddy.
That sounds horrible.
Let's see your firewall.

I've done another round of chopping and pounding since this pic was taken...

But who cares what your firewall looks like when it looks this good.:boink:

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I have NO personal experience as of yet. I'm just an engineer. Pound your welds; don't cut them out. If you pound them, the welds do still exist. Cutting them out... well.

 

[bsdoig]

Sounds like pounding is the way to go. Idk....for some reason hitting my 4Runner with a hammer just doesn't sound like fun lol.

 

[VancouverBCJames]

I used a angle grinder and trimmed them back. they haven't separated at all. My tires were getting huge cuts in them from the pinch seam. If you are worried about the seam separating get a muffler shop to shoot a small weld over top.

 

[Black798]

Sounds like pounding is the way to go. Idk....for some reason hitting my 4Runner with a hammer just doesn't sound like fun lol.

I also wasn't a fan of beating on my truck with a hammer. I choose to cut my pinch welds out, grind them down, then weld back over the spots and grind them smooth and seal them with silicone before paint just as an extra waterproofing method.

Just trimming and welding the pinch weld...
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/147275993@N05/41015292731/in/photostream/" title="IMG_7836"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/792/41015292731_d41a2cd515_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_7836"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I ended up having to tub the firewall a bit to not rub under full articulation...
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/147275993@N05/39206389850/in/photostream/" title="IMG_7861"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/39206389850_ccd77425f7_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_7861"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Mark_BC]

Pinch it baby