4x4 Sheet Metal ?

Ok when is it ideal to switch over to 4x4 metal on the Mazda ? For a 20' plus wheel or a 18' wheel? I was told that I cant lay frame out on a 18' wheel with stock front fenders, that I would have to go with a 17' wheel or a 16' wheel. Plus if I ran a 18' wheel with factory fenders how close would I be to the fender while turning with a 35/40 series tire ?

gotta have a high offset 18 to keep 2wd sheetmetal. i dont know the numbers right off my head but there are measurments in the form somewhere. im laying frame on a 255/30/24 with 2wd sheetmetal. but i have a ton of work into my frame and suspension.

josh

Edited: 11/21/2008 2:44:56 PM by low mazda

to run 2wd sheetmetal you need atleast a 38mm offset. a 42mm is great. You can run 22s with stock sheetmetal. The 4wd stuff only gives you an extra 3/4 of an inch anyhow, but the top of the fender is what you need to be worried about anyhow, not the opening.

IMO 4wd stuff is ugly, but alot of folks like it. You don't ever really need to run 4wd stuff, it's just what some people like. The primered mazda from D.I.B. has 22s with 2wd stuff, and most people with 20's still have 2wd stuff. It's mainly just for looks.

I have a 4.5" bd on a 225/40r18 and am running the 2wd just fine, I also have a 45mm offset on an 18x7.5" rim. I did switch over to a 5 bolt to find that size wheel though. That is also using Can-Do arms, which give the same dimensions as the stock 6 bolt as far as offset goes.

Edited: 11/21/2008 8:09:05 PM by tuckntiremaz

4x4 fenders give you 3/4 inch more space each side to turn while tuckn a little tire and they tuck 3/4 inch more too.

Oh yea, a 205/40/17 is the same size as a 215/35/18 so a 18 with the same offset as a 17 will tuck. its all about offset. 31mm+ offset on a 7.5 wheel will tuck on 2wd.