Is there a pinch weld grinding video for the Mav out there?

[syd-jai]

Hi all,

I’m going to be installing a Fordrangerlifts kit soon, and I have been investigating tire sizing and fit/rubbing, and while I understand what pinch welds are, and I have read some about either grinding them back, or notching them, pounding them over, and possibly welding them, I have looked for a video specifically on this for the mavericks and I haven’t found one.
Anybody have a link? Would the video for the F150 be close enough?

TIA!

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[Surly Old Bill]

Transit owners also attempt to use oversized tires by bending over or grinding down the pinch welds. Some have reported that disservice center says grinding them off voids the warranty.

The pinch welds are where the unibody is...welded...together, so cutting them off or grinding them is not recommended. Always attempt to bend them over if trying this at all. It should also be noted that trying to put on oversize tires that require a lift or bending of the pinch welds will almost always result in tire rubbing. It might be fine on a flat road going straight, but a few bumps, uneven surfaces, side-sloped surface, or turning tight corners will result in the tires rubbing. That's perfectly fine if you're only interested in cosmetics; looking like it's a rugged offroad vehicle, but it actually reduces the truck's capability to do any rugged offroad driving. And the new angles for the CV arm can cause premature wear of parts and tires, or failure. Again, it's ok to pursue this route if it's for looks, but don't believe anyone who says it increases capability. Usually they are only trying to justify the thousands and thousands of $ they spent trying to fit oversize tires (don't tell their wife it was all in vain!). These unibody vehicles are NOT like the body-on-chassis vehicles of the past.

 

[Waterick]

Probably not, the Maverick is a unibody vehicle. The F-150 has a full frame under it's body. If you can find a pinch weld on one, I doubt it has much to do with being structural.

 

[Carlitos_92]

You might try sifting through Bwicka’s old posts… He is no longer of this earth, but from what I remember he took his truck about as far as anyone has. People with the same goals may have chimed in on his posts as well.

I’m having trouble tagging his username, but here’s a start: https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/search/5209759/

 

[Master Blaster]

The pinch welds are the structural rigidity on the Maverick, so grinding them down or flattening them would seriously compromise the vehicle.
Take the lift stuff designed for a vehicle with a frame that has a different setup for structural rigidity and throw them away.

 

[Waterick]

This is probably a pretty common mod on XJ Jeep Cherokees and Grand Cherokees used for serious offroading. I would think if you can't a Maverick that has had this done yet, then all you can lean on is what should be a vast amount of experience the Jeep XJ crowd has most likely had. Look at some of their videos.

 

[Escapologist]

Yeah I was figuring if there was any "Poking the Gods of structural integrity in the eye with a sharp stick" going on, the XJ crowd would be in the thick of it.

Maybe the Bronco Sport dudes have done something too.

 

[syd-jai]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I understand the risks of messing with the structural integrity of the frame and I accept them.
Thanks for the XJ suggestion, I will check that out.

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