I love the pocket-style and have been debating getting them for awhile now. They look tough, meaner, beefier, and simply cooler than stock IMO. However, it seems like the majority of people are getting flat-style flares or chopping/trimming their stock flares to make them more flat. Why has the flat style sudden become so popular recently? Is it mainly because of clearance issues? Is it simply the "fad" right now? I was under the impression the pocket-style gives an extra 2". I'm curious what are the pros/cons to pocket-style and flat flares?

 

I'm sure price plays a factor for some. The Pocket style are much more money. About $700 for the pocket style vs. $450 (or less) for the flat...

Personally, I think the flat flares make the JK look more aggressive/meaner. The pocket style keeps the OEM look to a point but I find the bolt look (or whatever you call it) kind of distracting to me.

The flat flares are definitley not beefier so i agree with you on that but most of us that go off-road are looking for maximum clearance and, in most cases, want less coverage in order to make the Jeep narrower. The JK is already wide enough and while I would prefer the extra coverage found in flares like the XENON (with 1.5" more coverage), I can barely fit through a lot of the trails I go on now!

 

considering the very first jeeps had flat fenders, i kinda look at everything else as being the fad. flat fenders allow you to fit more tire without needing more lift. of course, by doing this, you can keep your center of gravity lower and that's always a good thing to have when wheeling. with flat fenders, i am running my white jk with very large 40" tires and i can still fit into my garage and often times sit about as high if not a bit lower than most guys running 37's.

 

Makes a lot of sense!

 

I was like you once. I LOVED the bushwackers because any really cool rig I had ever seen had them. I was having my local shop install some 38s and kept begging/arguing with them about the fender style. They kept telling me to get the flat fenders, but refused to budge. Personally, I always thought the flat flares make the JK look less like a jeep and more like a buggy whereas the pocket style made it look even more like a jeep.

HOWEVER, it all depends on the TIRE SIZE. If you are going with 37 or less inches the Bushwackers are really awesome. Just know that the WILL break on any respectable trail (aka "Bushcrackers"). Despite this, I forced them to order in the Bushwackers anyway and when they put them on the rig, yes it looked amazing, but they rubbed like mo fos.

So I ordered Metalcloaks and no more rub. I still like the Bushwackers and I will likely put them on my next JK but the tires decided this one form me.

Hope that helps.

 

instructions say not to install unless the temperature is 65 degrees or higher? It won't bet that warm until June-ish... think I can install them if I put a heater in the garage and go after it?

 

Hey dirtman,

Nice rig! what size lift and tire combo is that?

(sorry for the hi jack. He won't accept pm's)

 

bumpy, any1 install these in the cold?

 

Ok, I'm leaning towards the flats now.... dammit.

 

I'm in the same boat. I have a set of flats in my living room just waiting for that 65 degree day!