VE Rear Guard Modifications.....


So, as many people have tried, fitting anything under a +40 wheel on the back fo a lowered VE is a big NO-NO. The tyre rubs the guard and the rear bumper mount fouls on the tyre pretty hard. The guards can be rolled and pulled about 1cm but anymore leads to a kinked guard up top. Having rolled the guards is only have the step. By modifying and relocation of the rear bar mount you can atcheive a much better offset wheel and lower the car much further. The factory size wheel is 19x8 +48 whereas I am running a 19x10 +34. At standard height this is atcheiveable, but if you wanna go low.... then read on!


The first 2 pics show where the area we need to modify is. I am doing this on the drivers side, but follow the same steps for passenger side. As you can see I've already had some severe rubbing. :(

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/226038_10150171576188680_597448679_6725748_7237307 _n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/218133_10150171576303680_597448679_6725753_6775409 _n.jpg

This next pic shows the 2 plastic reatiners you need to loosen and then pull the inner guard out of the way. I tucked mine behind the brake caliper.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217754_10150171576243680_597448679_6725751_6022727 _n.jpg

Now you undo the retaining phillips head screw and pull the rear bar out sideways, I just clips out.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/223387_10150171576418680_597448679_6725754_6846128 _n.jpg

Next step is to cut away like I have in the pic below. There are 3 stages of cutting.... The rear bar, the plastic reinforcement and also the metal guard.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215759_10150171576503680_597448679_6725756_1195536 _n.jpg

The next 2 pics are the plastic reinforcement before and after to show you what to cut.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/230872_10150171576568680_597448679_6725757_7242147 _n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227193_10150171576638680_597448679_6725758_7919285 _n.jpg

Now its time to cut the metal, I used a Dremel and made 2 cuts. The first section as shown below and then also another section which extends to the lip on the guard as well. You can maybe do it all in 1 go, but this way is a bit easier. The pics will show you where to cut. Its important to wear safty glasses when cutting...

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/229673_10150171576858680_597448679_6725764_2535697 _n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/222478_10150171576708680_597448679_6725760_2089403 _n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227769_10150171576793680_597448679_6725762_2225198 _n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/223045_10150171576903680_597448679_6725765_8121576 _n.jpg

After you have cut the metal away, we need to make a new mount for the rear bar, cut away some of the reinforcement and leave a plastic tab there.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/229733_10150171576948680_597448679_6725766_1392569 _n.jpg

Push the rear bar back on and drill a hole for the new mount.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/230793_10150171576978680_597448679_6725767_351358_ n.jpg

Phillips head screw back in and rear bar secured with LOTS of room for tyre!

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/225079_10150171577008680_597448679_6725769_4115650 _n.jpg

Finished with a coat of paint to stop rust.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/224820_10150171577078680_597448679_6725770_4267718 _n.jpg

This is the end result. Epic low with NO SCRUBBAGE!

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/224957_10150171577103680_597448679_6725771_6354401 _n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217022_10150171577163680_597448679_6725772_6109039 _n.jpg

Great info on where to molest. What size tire are you running on those 19x10 wheels?

-Todd...

245's on a 10" wheel? Seriously? No thanks.

How are those 522s working out for you with that offset after you cut the fenders?

I am getting some and was curious. My drop will be more conservative with H&R's and I will be running 275's. Also post a side profile for me.

Thanks.

Holy crap!!! That tuck looks awesome!

took a pic @ the cinemas

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/226818_10150171750153680_597448679_6727231_2165977 _n.jpg

How's the rubbing with the offset and cut fenders now?

none

Looks good man!

none

Great. The fronts here are a very popular import application so most everyone selling them at a good price has them sold out. There are plenty of the 10" rears to be found though. Car looks great and thanks for the write up.

Do you have any more pics of the whole car?

Ill have my 10" front on in a few days! I can't wait

Take some more pics today guys

this crossed my mind but i didnt feel safe cutting the metal like that. i drive my car in the winter also.

LOVE the wheels!

wow that looks great!! thats the real jdm style to do it!! i love it

but ok, so i have 19x9.5 +35 all around.. are you running spacers at all? they look like they poke more

not bad are you going to try and get the front to do the same thing??? that is what i want for the front to be as low as the rear

Very nice, thanks for the DIY

I didn't follow all the way since my car is not that much slammed down. I did a little maneuver and have just cut like 3-4mm of the corner extended beyond the clip. This could do even with the tire in place and gives equal space and more safty from tire rubbing at this specific point.

took a pic @ the cinemas

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/226818_10150171750153680_597448679_6727231_2165977 _n.jpg

Thats the drop I'm going for but Im going with a little more poke and stretch in the back.