As an update, I did manage to gain a little over three inches on approach clearance!!! Also, since I have nothing in front of my tires, I can now walk up most obstacles with no fear of damage!!! Yippeee!!!
As far as the cladding, its never going back on, cause I sold it.I have no desire to have it back on, I like functionality, and with Jack's recommendation to make it step-on-able, it will be sweet.
I know not everyone will like it, and I understand why, but I am ok with that. I hate the VXs with street tires and the ones that are lowered, but eh, to each their own.
You guys will sheet when I get it painted flat forest green or maybe charcoal, never wax it again!!!! But that is a ways down the road, like next year sometime.