So I'm debating on cutting off my fenders.. I've seen some really nice XJs without them. I have a 4.5'' lift with 31s. How do you think it'd look?

One of the best side shots I have:

 

do it

 

It's up to you man I'm at 4.5 with 32's and didn't have to trim anything. I did anyway though but just in the front along with angled bumper
Sorry about the pics I used my phone and its 1:30 sooo lol

 

Yeah? So you think it'll look fine? I personally like the look. I just want some more opinions.

 

I personally like the look of the stock flares but its your jeep

 

Thanks for the pics! That looks nice! I just like the look of it, and I actually have a bit of rubbing when on some trails.

Yeah, I like the stock flares too, just can't decide if I want to cut them. I think I'd like both actually haha.

 

I have heard of guys cutting and then moving the flares up and back a little

 

and that's b/c you need to figure out your bump stops. I'm at 4.5 with 32's and can bury any tire without rubbing; but that's b/c I've got my stops worked out.

Why is this is "Fabrication" again?

 

That dont look like 4.5 with 31's.

Here is mine with 3" of lift and 32's

 

Here's mine 5" w/33's before cutting and TJ flares.


Cut out fenders:


TJ flares installed:

 

Still need to cut my pinch seam and fold it and ya, gotta repaint the flares. Don't mind my axle being too far back either... waiting on a cad... and swap the spacers for 7.5" springs.... work in progress but you get the idea.

 

It appeared to be the best place to talk about this. No one else seems to mind..

 

^ And it suprises me, I always assumed this section title was synonymous with "look what I made"

 

So I ended up getting 33s for the coming months, and they're going to be my main tires until Summer, when I throw my MTs on for mudding. As you can see they fit fine, and only rub when I'm doing sharp turns, which is quite often. So I was thinking of removing my flares and trimming the fenders a bit just to accommodate the new tires, and give it that 'look' that I like.

I've been considering this trim for a while, and I've come across a bunch of guides. I just have a few questions.

For the rear, can I trim below the spot welds and be fine? Or will I have to reweld stuff together? Also, a guide said a nibbler would be the best choice for cutting, opposed to a sawzall or angle grinder. Or are they all fine?


I'm rubbing towards the bottom, since it's only happening on sharp turns. I probably don't have to remove the flares, but I might as well. So should I just cut and fold the flare section? And just trim/cut the bottom section to stop the rubbing?



Here's how it looks on the 33s at the moment:



Thanks

 

I cut thru the spot welds after drilling and riveting above the welds. This held up un my '88 XJ for over 6 years till I junked the body. I did the same on my current '99 XJ. When I broke a shock mount and leaf spring the tire tore up the fender & rivets, so I welded that side.

The cut and folt method is very popular. Just make sure to seal up the inside area before folding so that mud & water don't get in.

I use a pneumatic air saw that uses hack saw blades. It cuts easy and is very controlable.