I thought I'd share what I did in just under 2 hours

with these tools:

Inner fenders removed...

First cut

I used the plyers to fold the lip straight

I cut in as far as the seam sealer

Then folded the 2 pinch welded pieces of metal back(but at the firewall)

The plyers got it to the point where I could use the hammer

Self explanitory...

I then folded that piece up and even with the other pieces, then cut a triangle piece off the bottom of the fender, and made a new lip with the plyers, and the hammer

The finished product

And an inside shot

Inner fenders re-installed, and the tires straight. There's a good 2.5" between the tire and the inner fender. My current worn tires measure 28" exact, and I'm mounting used 31-10.5's which measure 30.5", that's just under 1.5" more in radius, plus some extra width. I've already mocked up a jig on a piece of cardboard that fit around the tire to check for clearance. The tightest spot was .75", and I'm not worried about that for street driving, I'm mounting the tires in the next couple days, so we'll see what happens!


I have about 2" of lift with coil spacers, and 15"x7" wheels. I'm going to be able to run a 31" tire for street driving, and very mild wheeling. I have a 2" body lift I bought from Sky Manufacturing(not installed yet), that will help for heavier wheeling, but I wanted to do this first to show that it doesn't take much cutting to clear the tire with the right rim, and you don't have to sacrafice the outer fender if you're like me.

The 31's fit great, the shop I went to let me try one first, before they installed the rest, they were excited and said - "Yeah! put them on!"
So, here's a couple pics, I had a chance to work the suspension a bit too, and turn the wheels to check for clearance.

I like it.  Skip the body lift.

Wow I'm jealous of your kick!! That looks awesome, and I like the way you did that. I just put the calmini 3" body lift on my kick and I'm looking to put some bigger tires on it. i'm hoping 30's but I don't know how easily they'll fit. I'm hoping for no rubbing, but I'm willing to have minor rubbing.

Just to let ya know.
Trimming the Inner fender for daily Driving is Okay.
Once ya wheel it, You'll notice (after the fact) you'll also need to trim the Outer fender.
I Know, I did that.
wheeled, found out the wheel actually moves reword into the outer fender.
Trimmed outer fender back as much as the inner fender.
Remember,
Knowing is Half the battle.
Doing, is the other half.
 

Thanks for the useful writeup with good pics. I'll keep this handy for when I get 31's.

Just to let ya know.
...
Once ya wheel it, You'll notice (after the fact) you'll also need to trim the Outer fender.
I Know, I did that.
wheeled, found out the wheel actually moves reword into the outer fender.

The closest the tire comes to the outer fender is slightly over an inch, at the largest part of the tire. That's fine for me for daily driving... and to be honest, I would wheel it this way, I wouldn't suspect my tire to move back an inch under stress and compression... that would worry me a little  I understand the tire will move back some on compression, but at less than 2 degrees caster, it's minimal. The only thing I'd be worried about is the tires hitting the top of the fenders.

if your like me the outer fender will be sacrificed wheeling anyway...

Looks good!!