Fender Flares
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,637
Likes: 7
From: Mentor, OH
Why I want flat fenders
I hope to do some wheeling, but it won't be an every week thing. My JK is my DD; I have no intention of doing any serious rock crawling with it. Mostly just some off road trails.
I was looking at flat fenders because I like the look over the stock. I am leery about cutting my own fenders - if I screw it up, they are my only set. Plus, the flat fenders give the illusion of a lift. I want my JK to look good as much as I want it to ride/wheel good.
I will eventually lift the JK 2.5" (I am only running 33" ATZ P3s) and would like the added articulation clearance, but that is 6 months away. I have no desire to replace my drive shaft right now, so even a BB may come before a full coil lift.
It amazes me that I can spend as much on 4 pieces of plastic as I can on a 55" flat screen television.
I was looking at flat fenders because I like the look over the stock. I am leery about cutting my own fenders - if I screw it up, they are my only set. Plus, the flat fenders give the illusion of a lift. I want my JK to look good as much as I want it to ride/wheel good.
I will eventually lift the JK 2.5" (I am only running 33" ATZ P3s) and would like the added articulation clearance, but that is 6 months away. I have no desire to replace my drive shaft right now, so even a BB may come before a full coil lift.
It amazes me that I can spend as much on 4 pieces of plastic as I can on a 55" flat screen television.
JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,255
Likes: 11
From: Bellmawr, NJ
The bushwackers are well worth the change. I nick named my rubi "Tree Hugger" because at Rausch Creek last time I kept smacking into trees! Lol I hit the one so hard I knew the flare was smashed..... Got out after the obstacles to look and find just a small scratch on it..... Highly recommended!
Sent from my obama monitoring device
Sent from my obama monitoring device
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Granby, MO
I would just trim your own. I understand about cutting your fenders and messing up. I did mine own and they turned out pretty good. I just took blue painters tape and marked my fenders off where I wanted to cut them. Them got the Dremel tool out and slowly started cutting them. If they turn out good and you like them it saved you 600-1000 bucks to spend on other upgrades. If they don't turn out like what you want them you just by the aftermarket ones if your choice. Here is a few pics of mine.
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JK Freak
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: North East MD
I paid $420 and then sent in a $50 rebate on Bushwackers. Not sure about the rebate availability but there is a vendor on here that offers a great price on them. I got mine about 18 months ago, it couldn't have changed that much. Chris at Jeepaddons.com.
Former Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Nj
Hey shutter, what are you gonna be using your jeep for? Are you gonna be wheeling it? Trail riding? Camping? Or do you want something just for looks? These are very important questions here. If your are gonna be wheeling it around trees and rocks then you need to go with something that is gonna protect your fenders. IE. something in steel, if so look at Poison Spyder or Metal cloak. These other clowns are telling you to get plastic fenders and how they are virtually indestructible but that is not the purpose of sticking on aftermarket flares unless you just need tire clearance. If you need tire clearance and are gonna be riding mostly on the street and want to pay an obscene amount of money for molded plastic then ya go with xenon or bushwhacker. If you go this route they will do nothing to protect your fenders...they are just for looks and tire clearance. If you plan on mostly driving on the street then just keep your stock flares. There is no sense in spending 500-700 on something your not gonna use. If you have any other questions pm me. Ill be happy to help you in anyway i can.
JK Junkie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,142
Likes: 2
From: Rockwood, TN
Fender Flares
Just cut your flares, if you don't like the way they turn out THEN go drop hundreds on something aftermarket. You can literally cut them to any shape you want
Last edited by kh202; Oct 20, 2013 at 07:27 AM.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 14,800
Likes: 374
From: Midwest City, OK
Having ripped off a stock fender not just once, but twice, I have to say this is spot on. Replace or trim the stock flares if you need tire clearance. Not for protection. Besides, the stock flares look better than anything out there. But that's JMHO.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Grapevine Texas
I have personally ripped off bushwackers and bent sheetmetal in the process.
Trimmed stock fenders will bend and flex as they hit things. More sturdy plastic fenders like bushwackers can do damage..
Heres a few pics of the inner braces that come with Poison Spyder flares. I can stand on them and jump and they do not budge.
And two just for fun.
JK Freak
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
The smittybilt flares are nice for the price. If your looking for coverage there are much better options. On my last jeep I had the bushwacker flares but after my first trip wheeling I realized I didnt want flares that stuck out beyond my wheels (made contact with a dirt wall and the way the bushwackers are mounted in the rear they pushed in the body of my jeep.)
I ended up with the smittybilts on my last jeep and now on the new one. Fitment isnt 100% on the fronts, but it would take me pointing it out for anyone to notice.
The bushwackers do fit near perfect, and if you cut the inner liners properly they look OEM.
Bushwackers
I ended up with the smittybilts on my last jeep and now on the new one. Fitment isnt 100% on the fronts, but it would take me pointing it out for anyone to notice.
The bushwackers do fit near perfect, and if you cut the inner liners properly they look OEM.
Bushwackers
