Or black mud that makes everything looks new. lol

 

I am officially doing this tomorrow. I predict a string of posts on the what did you to to your xj today thread about this. Looks great.

 

How are you going to do it though? I have a cut off wheel and tools and what not.

 

XJ?2010 said that there are 3 rivets holding that middle piece on. I'm going to crawl under there tomorrow and see if I can get them out without taking off the bumper. As for cutting the endcaps, just park in the sun for a while and you can cut them with a razor or a sharp knife easy as butter. My heep isn't quite as clean as yours, so I'll do it tomorrow and let you know how it goes. I don't think it should require more than hand tools.

 

I used a dremel and my black n decker mini saw. Took off the end caps and sat em side by side to draw the line to cut. The center piece can be easily removed.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/de...rite-up-17619/

about half way down that writeup you'll see info on how to remove both end caps and the center piece.

 

I was going to use masking tape of where I want to cut and then cut away after the middle piece have been removed 1st.

 

I knew I had seen how to do it somewhere. Yah it looks like the centerpiece is held on by three rivets or bolts to the bumper and another one to each endcap? shouldn't be too hard to get off.

 

I know mines are held by plastic push in's.

 

It had a lot of rust under the jeep, been sanding and painting. If you don't keep up with it around here in Ohio with the salt they put on the roads your vehicle won't last long.

 

Looks good though.

 

I replaced my end caps with pre 97 XJ end caps. They fit flush with the front fenders and work well with cut fenders. Also have the factory front skid which will be gone soon due to my recent winch bumper purchase.

 

Have you been pulled over for having your turn signals blacked out?

 

Nope (knock on wood)

 

kinda reminds me of Big Blacks 'murdered out' Pinto!

 

So I pulled that center trimpiece / thing hiding my suspension components out today. it was held up by 2 bolts to each fender flare, through this little tab that extended down from the body, and 6ish screws mounting it to the frame. Came out easy with a ratchet, but I had to take off the grill to get at some of them. Then I just bent the metal tabs back that were at the ends, you can't see them now, and I trimmed the front fenders level with the bottom of the endcaps. Looks stock.
I have the old style encaps / flares / body though so I don't know how applicable this will be.