anyone regret hacking the flenders???
06-19-2009, 05:20 AM
#12
no regrets - chop away!
06-19-2009, 12:00 PM
#13
JK Super Freak
I tried every tool imaginable during cutting all four fenders, here's my tips
- I didnt see a reason to take the fenders off to cut them. When still on the Jeep they're supported and you can better see the cut lines you like.
- Best tool was an Angle Grinder with a thin 1/8 inch metal/ceramic cut-off wheel for slicing cleanly through. The plastic fenders are pretty thick and a dremel doesn't havnt enough oomph and a jigsaw cannot be well-controlled for a clean cut. Wear gloves, the angle grinder melts the plastic as it cuts through the line. I used a small hacksaw instead of grinder to cut through the plastic when near metalwork.
- Apply masking tape along the entire line of the fender including the radius and angles you'll be cutting. It's tempting to cut using sight only but tape will ensure straight lines and stop you hacking too much. My only regret is I hacked a little too much from one rear inner fender (I kept the inner pants to keep out rain and winter slush).
- Cut off the vertical overhanging plastic first and the bulky parts of inner fenders, then slice along your tape line for final cut. I kept the entire horizontal part of fender (keeping the radiused edge to retain fender strength) and sliced off the vertical part, and my tires still stick-out 2inches. Others have sliced the horizontal part much skinnier, but I'd guess their's bend and flex more at highway speed.
- Use a cheap heat-gun to melt the glue on the inside of the door-edge beading as you apply it. If the beading comes off later, add Gorilla glue. The beading does contract when hot (from heat gun or sun) and will then pop off the fender at the angles, so dont' stretch it to fit.
- WOL's write-up is excellent, much more detail than I wrote above.....
- I didnt see a reason to take the fenders off to cut them. When still on the Jeep they're supported and you can better see the cut lines you like.
- Best tool was an Angle Grinder with a thin 1/8 inch metal/ceramic cut-off wheel for slicing cleanly through. The plastic fenders are pretty thick and a dremel doesn't havnt enough oomph and a jigsaw cannot be well-controlled for a clean cut. Wear gloves, the angle grinder melts the plastic as it cuts through the line. I used a small hacksaw instead of grinder to cut through the plastic when near metalwork.
- Apply masking tape along the entire line of the fender including the radius and angles you'll be cutting. It's tempting to cut using sight only but tape will ensure straight lines and stop you hacking too much. My only regret is I hacked a little too much from one rear inner fender (I kept the inner pants to keep out rain and winter slush).
- Cut off the vertical overhanging plastic first and the bulky parts of inner fenders, then slice along your tape line for final cut. I kept the entire horizontal part of fender (keeping the radiused edge to retain fender strength) and sliced off the vertical part, and my tires still stick-out 2inches. Others have sliced the horizontal part much skinnier, but I'd guess their's bend and flex more at highway speed.
- Use a cheap heat-gun to melt the glue on the inside of the door-edge beading as you apply it. If the beading comes off later, add Gorilla glue. The beading does contract when hot (from heat gun or sun) and will then pop off the fender at the angles, so dont' stretch it to fit.
- WOL's write-up is excellent, much more detail than I wrote above.....
06-19-2009, 12:17 PM
#14
JK Super Freak
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Aguada, PR
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I knew the idea would grow on you
I want to do mine soon as well, but not until after I upgrade my tires to 37s which will be very soon. Hopefully before the end of the month
I plan to do a Crash version chop
Need to keep the flow of my ARB front bumper.Besides, if you change your mind the stock flares are cheap. Its not like if you were to chop a set of Bushwackers
06-19-2009, 02:41 PM
#16
JK Super Freak
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: South San Diego
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Chop away!!!!! It is the cheapest mod on my JEEP and probably the best. No more rubbing! I also did both bumpers. Lots of room when fully articulated. Here are some pics.
06-19-2009, 02:53 PM
#17
I drive on dirt roads that are sprayed with magnesium chloride. The mud from that turns to concrete under my fenders. Does the fender hack help keep that crap from building up?
Also does the hacked fender flap in high speeds?
Also does the hacked fender flap in high speeds?
06-19-2009, 03:51 PM
#20
JK Jedi
Thread Starter
that is it!!!! Im sold. I am gonna do the front like JK marine, the width of planmans (when he has a chance to measure) and the taper like the planmans. I like the flat front on yours JKmarine. Great work. After I chop I am pulling out my bumpstops. Those 35s are gonna mega stuff.