I currently have flat tube style flares on my JK and I’m debating on going back to stock if possible. The holes for the snap fasteners were reamed to install the rivnut/nutserts in order to bolt them on. That being said the stock push clips will obviously be too small. Has anyone doe this before or have an idea on how to go back to a stock flare?

 

Has the factory fender support bracket that protrudes from the top of the wheel well been chopped off? if so, it would definitely mean getting new one welded in place, and perfect alignment with that would be really tricky. It's been a LONG time since i looked at factory flares or that supporting structure under them. I would think that the factory plastic clips would no longer be a great option, but that maybe you'd still be able to use bolts and washers to hold them in place. It all seems like a pain in the ass in my mind tbh.

 

At the end of the day, anything man-made can be fixed or modded - at least this is what goes through my mind (punctuated with a myriad of profanities) when I am brooding for weeks over what was supposed to be a 'simple quick job'.

That being said, the value (or necessity) of the job should be reassessed when the scope of the job reveals itself in it's entirety (yes - that WTF moment).

I find myself in Resharp's camp on this job - the amount of time and effort likely required to reinstall the limiting factory flares seems counter intuitive.

Regardless, if I was gonna do this job, I would find a similar year Wrangler and take a good look (and photos) to see what's what - then you will have a solid idea of the work involved.

My 2 cents ....