Structural yes or no?

[knocksum]

I am installing burandt boards and want to remove the tunnel flat aluminum that collects alot of snow and the toe hook in the front. Thoughts?

 

[SRXSRULE]

My .02 on this is the front loops do contribute to the structure and I would not cut them out. Some guys will raise them, I choose to arch them up in the center with a porta-power.
The rear flat pieces of aluminum i have no problem removing. I did that on my 12 and 14 and it works great. It helps a bunch with snow build-up. Eric

 

[fuledya]

Cutting the rear "wings" off is no problem, just leave a good 1/4" of material after the 90 degree bend.
Do not cut off the front toe pieces, that will significantly weaken the rear overstructure IMHO!

 

[ullose272]

There are poste about the toe hook. Lots of peopl have removed with no ill effect

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[niner]

I'm curious too about shortening the rails. Just picked up a 13 pro and getting ready to do some mods. I would like to shorten them about 6". Looks like it's glued in there or just the rivet? Any problem with cutting some of that extra off? Doesn't look structural? Thanks.

 

[LoudHandle]

I'm curious too about shortening the rails. Just picked up a 13 pro and getting ready to do some mods. I would like to shorten them about 6". Looks like it's glued in there or just the rivet? Any problem with cutting some of that extra off? Doesn't look structural? Thanks.

The ends are bonded, but come out once you drill the rivet and apply some heat. I heat until the adhesive starts to smoke a little and then smack it with a soft face dead blow hammer to remove the ends. Easy

 

[LoudHandle]

I am installing burandt boards and want to remove the tunnel flat aluminum that collects alot of snow and the toe hook in the front. Thoughts?

I have no problem cutting out the triangle of aluminum, nor the last cross piece of the boards to let the snow out. Your toe is too big to get stuck / fall thru regardless and while it may help with rear tunnel side to side rigidity, how often do you land sideways on the rear bumper? As has been stated above, I would leave the break in the edge of the tunnel sheet and just continue that cut line down to the intersection.

 

[mountainhorse]

To add to that... make sure that all pieces cut out have a generous radius in the corners left to minimize stress cracks from forming.

Also.... with shortening the running boards... you will still have to tie the rear suspension brackets into the tunnel well.

Sheetmetal fab has some good ideas on this.


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