Wheel well gap

[Mikey1989]

Still working/learning on my new Comanche... I noticed there is a large gap in the rear wheel wells. At first I thought maybe this truck got rear ended, but the gap is identical on both sides and looks it might be by design. Both gaps were pretty much full up with years of mud/dirt/rocks. So I cleaned that out, but it will build up again.

 

Wondering the purpose of this if it is indeed a design feature, does anybody know?

[89 MJ]

I think that is just the way things ended up for them. My truck is the same way. Give it a rinse whenever you wash the truck and you won’t get much, if any build up. 

[Mikey1989]

Thanks - what I expected and appreciate knowing for sure.

[pizzaman09]

I've been eyeing up the idea of making a guard for that gap for a while.  Haven't put any pen to paper yet but if really like to make some rear wheel well liners.

[Mikey1989]

Given as it seems by design, I still can't figure out what possible utlity that gap could have.

[89 MJ]

Part of it is that the fuel filler neck passes through that cap. 

[89 MJ]

I went back in my photos to see if I could come up with any more reasons. Part of it is the frame has to be that low to fit under the cab. I would guess that the curve to get the top of the frame higher couldn’t be quicker because it wouldn’t have been as strong in the event of a rear end collision. Now why they didn’t just make the frame rail taller right at the rear of the cab, I don’t know, other than possible cost. 
 

 

[ghetdjc320]

That gap makes it easier to clean . It's going to get dirty one way or another, better to keep it accessible. 

[thehomelesdepot]

There's a bird that's makes a nest in that spot on my truck a few times

[Mikey1989]

At risk of beating this to death, took a look while the truck was up on a lift and can't see that the gas filler neck uses that gap, rather it is actually slightly forward of the gap. But, yeah, no big deal really as there are plenty of other actually useful things to worry about or work on. Not like I have to find make work!

[ghetdjc320]

30 minutes ago, Mikey1989 said:

At risk of beating this to death, took a look while the truck was up on a lift and can't see that the gas filler neck uses that gap, rather it is actually slightly forward of the gap. But, yeah, no big deal really as there are plenty of other actually useful things to worry about or work on. Not like I have to find make work!

I think that may be a difference between long bed and short bed

[Pete M]

chances are that the gap is simply there because AMC was struggling for its very existence and filling the gap was deemed unnecessary to sell trucks.  plenty of shortcuts occurred.  I mean, there's literal factory duct tape in places.   

[watchamakalit]

1 hour ago, Pete M said:

chances are that the gap is simply there because AMC was struggling for its very existence and filling the gap was deemed unnecessary to sell trucks.  plenty of shortcuts occurred.  I mean, there's literal factory duct tape in places.   

Only on important things like wire splices......