My thinking on this, FWIW, is to pie-cut the forward flange area before painting - rather than pull the driveshaft out of the trans any amount. Unless of course the openings need to be stock size. I've done that on a Duster - flange ended up pretty much flush with the forward area of the wheelhouse. It took close examination by someone who knew the original dimensions to see the opening was modified. I picked up a good 2" of tire diameter room.