u need to gut no matter what, i had 16" with 40's and it still rubbed, i didnt cut anything until i got my 17"s and now when the front is layed out the tirs sticks through about 2-3 inchs, i think your going to cut no matter what
i have the same size tire, (3" white wall on smoothies... old skool hot rod s***)
and it doesn't rub till the frame hits the ground. granted, i'm not turning ANYWHERE when i'm that low, but straight out, it doesn't rub.