You could take um off and pop rivet them back on to keep the same size screw hole. Gotta make sure you get the pop rivets tight though, if not, they'll get loose and start to spin later.

 

This comes from alotta pop riveting experience on my cj, if they do get loose, a small drill bit and they come right out, and you can re-rivet

 

Thanks for the tip. I dont understand why AEV would not mention to seal them in their instructions..

 

I dunno either, most of the good rock rails that come up with some type of armor screwed to the sheet metal come with some sort of seal, at least if I remember correctly.

 

wow those are fugly and why would you need to to protect your cowl? I dont think I've ever seen one damaged, and cant say I've even seen diamond plate up there before.

 

That looks like sumthin you'd see on a Hummer.

 

You need to protect your cowl from your mirrors when you forget the strap has been removed from the door and let go of it.
I know I'm not the only one here who has done this.
Or this could be used to cover that nasty dent up.

 

NO, people need to work on their frikkin memory and quit forgittin the straps are disconnected. Maybe they need to put those blunts down.

 

I asked AEV about this when I went to install mine, and they said because they are stamped they fit close enough to the body that I shouldn't have a problem. I have taken them off a few times to check and all I am getting in between the body and the guard is the really fine dust from some of the gravel roads.

 

Water will mix with the fine gravel dust and other grit work like sandpaper under there . Let us know how it's holding up in a few years. If dust gets in , so can other stuff, it needs to be sealed. Our jeeps are gonna rust enough on their own, don't need any extra help.I'm not blasting AEV or anyone, just speak from my own experience with a cj that regularly saw mud, water and sand. Washed about once a month.