Sheet Metal Fender Flares
 

So I made made these a while ago with my dad but I figured I would post up the the build because why not so hear is my story.

I knew I wanted, and kind of needed, new fender flares. The old stock flares, although I think they looked just fine, rubbed too much for my likes and I even managed to rip them off because of too much rubbing:glare:. I looked around everywhere and I hated every option out there. The Bushwhackers and Napier where too big for my liking, plus you could see all the shiny exposed bolts (not really my style). I don't like the look of tube fenders so that option was out for me, also the price was just too much for a set. I was about to just cut the things when I saw a post over on Pirate 4x4. The guy took some old trailer fender flares and started modifying them to work on a Cherokee.

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I thought this idea was kind of cool so I took It and started playing with it. I went to a local trailer shop and had a set of single axle jeep style fenders made to custom size and bend for $50, not to bad a price. I honestly can't remember how big they where but I knew I would still need to modify them if I wanted them to work and look how I wanted.

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Next I went about modifying them to work. First I cut one of the flares in half. Then I taped off where I wanted the flare to be so I could get my measurements. I ended up opening up the angle of the front bend of the flare and then shortening the entire flare by a couple inches. Then I tapered the front in to line up with the body. Before I tapered the edge in I had cut the flare to match the curve of the body. I attached the flare with some tabs that allowed a nut and bolt to go through holes cut in the actual fender of the Cherokee. The last thing I did was had the flares power coated black. For the back edge I ordered some rubber u-shaped channel and pinched it between the flare and the fender. Over all I am very happy with how they came out in the end!

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And don't pay any attention to the misspelling of the title :oops:

Creative idea. They look great.

Badass!! I've been having the same dilemma. I'm running the same wheels and bumper as you and want something that doesn't stick way out and make the narrow offset of the Moab's look weird. I think you just gave me the inspiration I was looking for! They look great, awesome craftsmanship!

X3, stellar work. Looks killer!

Thanks Everyone!

How are they attached to the fender?

Look good.

Very cool. You gave me a idea on how to fix my hacked up rear wheel wells.

Kinda hard to tell but where fender meets overlapping body I think he put bolts. Look at 3rd pic FROM BOTTOM.

I saw that, but was unsure if OP welded tabs or a continuos flange. I was hoping he would chime in by now. I hope he hasn't died, should we send out a search party? :)

I'm here, not dead. I attached the fenders with welded tabs. I have 5 tabs spread along the fender. I drilled holes through the tabs and the edge of the fender. Then I just put some 1/4-20 bolts through :thumbsup:

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I like it. I'm glad you're not dead. Excellent craftsmanship.

Thank you!

Love the fab work. Great job man.

Cool idea and nice fab work. Definitely have me thinking as I was planning on building a set of flairs from scratch, this may be a direction im going to explore.

:cheers: