Lund FX flat fenders with AEV bumpers
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Lund FX flat fenders with AEV bumpers
I've had the AEV front and rear bumpers for a while now with stock flares, but have been wanting new flares for a few reasons. Mainly more clearance at full flex,as I didn't want to add more bump stop and reduce my articulation. The stock fenders were badly faded and required a good amount of Back to Black or other product to make them look nice. I wanted something which flowed nicely with the AEV bumpers, which was pretty difficult to find a flare that fit well. I could not find one single image of these flares installed with someone that had an AEV bumper. Finally decided to order them and try them out. Another option I've seen people run with the AEV bumpers were the Bushwacker pocket flares. IMO they're a little bulky for the look I was going for.
As for some install tips.
I usually layout the parts, make sure I received all the install hardware and get a quick idea on what needs to happen. Take your time. Measure nonce, cut once..or something like that. I added a drop of oil in each rivnut before installing them. Used neverseize on all the bolts. The rivnut install is the biggest error point on the install, if you think it's secure it is. Don't over tighten or they'll strip out. Then you'll need to drill them out of you can't tap the threads out and then find some new ones. A quick zip with an electric impact is all it takes.
My rock rails hit the end of the flares so I needed to trim the flares slightly to make them fit.
In short you,
-remove the flare with the splash guard. Save your plastic "push pins"
-drill out the plastic rivets that attach the fender to the splash guard.
- reinstall splash guard or hold up to where it fits in the wheel well.
-along the edge of the jeeps body, Mark a line on the splash guard flush against the jeep body. So no splash guard sticks out past the body. Sharpie worked well or paint marker.
-take back off the jeep and cut the splash guard so flush with body. I used a sawzall and it worked great. You could use a Dremel with a plastic cut off wheel and that would work well too.
-install trimmed splash guard.
-for front flares cut and splice new turn signal wires.
-attach rubber trim along the edge of plastic flare
-line up the flares to see what holes you'll use for the RivNuts. The rear has two large holes you'll use which include two larger rivnuts, you'll use the longer bolt in your rivnut tool for these two. There will be 3 holes you don't use, I covered them with tape so mud doesn't get in. The flare sits against there so you won't have to worry about it coming off.
-install RivNuts in the holes where the factory flare plastic mounting pieces were. I used an electric impact but a drill or ratchet will work. Don't over tighten or the threads will strip easily. I believe it's aluminum. I ran a tap through a few to clean out any alum shaving debris. I believe the size was 1/4-20.
-put fender liner in fender and install fender with the supplied bolts and washers.
Fitment of the product was a 9/10. The led marker lights didn't line up with the predrilled holes so needed to drill them out a bit. Other than that I didn't have any other fitment problems caused by the quality of the product.
The rear flares gave me about two more inches of clearance, shown in photos. I didn't measure the fronts as I did the front install on Sat night in the rain and in the dark...I'm super impatient and neededdddd to see how they looked on the jeep.
What do I think of them?
The rear fit great, give me much more clearance, flow with the AEV rear bumper perfectly. The new black plastic makes the jeep look refreshed. I wish the front flares had a little more length to them as to go over the front bumper a little more. Since the stock fenders sit pretty flush against the front bumper, these flares make the front bumper look like it's got a little overbite. Bulldog style bumper fitment. I like how they're wider as my paint on my doors doesn't have any scratches and I try to keep it that way. Yes i know it's a jeep, but i just like to keep it looking nice. I've had my pure trail jeeps, and this isn't one of them. I would definitely buy the kit again and recommend it to AEV bumper owners looking to venture into some new flares.
*mods if this is in wrong section please move it. Not much of an in depth install thread.
Please let me know what you think! But in all I'm happy with the turnout
As for some install tips.
I usually layout the parts, make sure I received all the install hardware and get a quick idea on what needs to happen. Take your time. Measure nonce, cut once..or something like that. I added a drop of oil in each rivnut before installing them. Used neverseize on all the bolts. The rivnut install is the biggest error point on the install, if you think it's secure it is. Don't over tighten or they'll strip out. Then you'll need to drill them out of you can't tap the threads out and then find some new ones. A quick zip with an electric impact is all it takes.
My rock rails hit the end of the flares so I needed to trim the flares slightly to make them fit.
In short you,
-remove the flare with the splash guard. Save your plastic "push pins"
-drill out the plastic rivets that attach the fender to the splash guard.
- reinstall splash guard or hold up to where it fits in the wheel well.
-along the edge of the jeeps body, Mark a line on the splash guard flush against the jeep body. So no splash guard sticks out past the body. Sharpie worked well or paint marker.
-take back off the jeep and cut the splash guard so flush with body. I used a sawzall and it worked great. You could use a Dremel with a plastic cut off wheel and that would work well too.
-install trimmed splash guard.
-for front flares cut and splice new turn signal wires.
-attach rubber trim along the edge of plastic flare
-line up the flares to see what holes you'll use for the RivNuts. The rear has two large holes you'll use which include two larger rivnuts, you'll use the longer bolt in your rivnut tool for these two. There will be 3 holes you don't use, I covered them with tape so mud doesn't get in. The flare sits against there so you won't have to worry about it coming off.
-install RivNuts in the holes where the factory flare plastic mounting pieces were. I used an electric impact but a drill or ratchet will work. Don't over tighten or the threads will strip easily. I believe it's aluminum. I ran a tap through a few to clean out any alum shaving debris. I believe the size was 1/4-20.
-put fender liner in fender and install fender with the supplied bolts and washers.
Fitment of the product was a 9/10. The led marker lights didn't line up with the predrilled holes so needed to drill them out a bit. Other than that I didn't have any other fitment problems caused by the quality of the product.
The rear flares gave me about two more inches of clearance, shown in photos. I didn't measure the fronts as I did the front install on Sat night in the rain and in the dark...I'm super impatient and neededdddd to see how they looked on the jeep.
What do I think of them?
The rear fit great, give me much more clearance, flow with the AEV rear bumper perfectly. The new black plastic makes the jeep look refreshed. I wish the front flares had a little more length to them as to go over the front bumper a little more. Since the stock fenders sit pretty flush against the front bumper, these flares make the front bumper look like it's got a little overbite. Bulldog style bumper fitment. I like how they're wider as my paint on my doors doesn't have any scratches and I try to keep it that way. Yes i know it's a jeep, but i just like to keep it looking nice. I've had my pure trail jeeps, and this isn't one of them. I would definitely buy the kit again and recommend it to AEV bumper owners looking to venture into some new flares.
*mods if this is in wrong section please move it. Not much of an in depth install thread.
Please let me know what you think! But in all I'm happy with the turnout
JK Newbie
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Athens, Ohio
Thank you very much for posting this. I have a 2012 JKR COD with AEV bumpers and have been looking for replacement flares that would give me additional clearance. I have been doing a lot of searching and this is the best option I have seen so far.