Recently added TF 2.5 coil lift, and 33" duratracs on Pro comp 98's with 4.25" of back spacing.

I now have a little over 2" of tire exposed past the outer edges of my stock fenders. I really like this look and don't mind the look of the stock fenders but... I live in Northern Canada and man is my JK gettin covered in slush, snow and road grime. I don't really mind but I'm sure over time this is gonna do wonders for the paint. I'm also concerned about doors, locks, windows freezing from the constant layer of moisture on the body.

I've also had a few nasty looks from other motorists as they pass me cause I think I'm flicking stuff at their vehicles.

So I started looking at aftermarket flares... I don't really see much out there that will cover the tires and look good at the same time. There is something about the pocket style bushwacker fenders that just doesn't look right. The flat bushwackers don't look overly bad but I'm running 33"s which look decent under the stock fenders but will probably look small under the flat ones.

So I'm asking for help deciding whether to replace the fenders and if so with what brand/ style and if not why? Any testimonies about long term damage from stock fenders over wider rubber? I would love to see pics especially from anyone running 33"s and after market fenders.

Cheers!

 

Sorry no advice from, I feel exactly same as you, not a huge fan of the pocket flares either, so I'd like to hear what all else is out there for options too, with pics if people got 'em

 

isnt there flare extensions like from the older jeeps?im sure i have seen some, that might be an option

 

Bestop sells flares that connect and extend the stock flares but they stick out over 3" and make the pocket flares look sweet by comparison...

 

i was looking through and not seeing much, but holy crap, when did bushwacker become so damn expensive. i for one sure as hell would notspend that much on those. if i come across anything, i will post it up.

have you considered mudflaps

 

Well, the way I see it there are really four options:

#1. Xenon flat fenders - the wide ones. They add 1.5 inches to your coverage.

#2. Bushwacker pocket fenders

#3. Find a good fab shop. Have them fab up some tube fenders for you. You'll get exactly the coverage that you want, they'll stand up to a bit of bush bashing (important in BC), and you can get them rhino-lined or line-x'd so that they don't get destroyed on Canadian roads.

#4. Get some lawn edging, a cordless drill, and some plastic rivets. Add fender extensions to the factory junk.

 

Ok so it sounds like people feel the way I do about available fender options (that there aren't any). So for those of you that have been running stock flares with exposed tires, have you noticed significant paint/body damage from road debris? And for those of you in winter regions have you had many issues with freezing?

 

I haven't seen any paint issues yet, but I'm in the same boat as you. I've got an inch and a half of stick-out from my factory fenders right now, and that'll only be increasing.

If the amount of slop all up the side of my rig is any indication, I don't want to have much stickout during the winter months.

I'm leaning towards one of two things:

#1. Custom tube fenders, mounted to the frame. I want to be able to lean my Jeep on the fenders if they're gonna be wide.

#2. Some sort of very flexible or remove-able fender extension. Maybe lawn edging, or something like the "Trailmods" removable fenders....when (if?) they become available.

 

I like those trailmod fenders!

 

Dude...you don't live in an area that sees much snow, do you?

You'd have to wash your vehicle three times a day to deal with the crap that accumulates on the side of it after a snowfall...and washing your vehicle when it's -30 degrees out tends to do interesting things like freeze all your doors shut.