CountryXJ

I was thinking about getting cut out fender flares, either Bushwackers or Napier V2. I was wondering if any of you have heard or seen anything wrong with cutting away at your body.. Any input is welcome thanks!

Chuck82

I've never cut mine but I'm going to when I get the bushwacker ones but nothing should happen if you follow the measurements and directions and don't cut to hard cause it could probably bend I've seen that before haha

CountryXJ

Alright! Thanks! I'm just a little worried about cutting at my body.. I've been doing lots of research and I haven't seen anything bad about cutting away as long as you do it right.

CherokeeOutlaw

Front fenders are no problem at all. It's the rear that scares me because you create a gap between the inner and outer flare allowing the elements to get inside. I did the cut and fold method and then I bondoed and bed lined the cuts. The only down side is on some spots it "warped" the outside fenders a little bit but the flares cover it for the most part. That's also because I didn't do it exactly perfect.

pickles

I regret my flares

CountryXJ

Pickles - why?

pickles

I can never take them off again because of all the holes. And after a few years brushing against things, the metal has pulled out a bit and the screws holding the flares on are not biting into the metal anymore, especially at the bottoms and causing 1/4 to 3/8" gaps. I'm worried eventually some of them are going to rip right off if caught the wrong way against tree's/brush. Splash gaurds have to be cut/modified, and even then I still can't keep mud out of the door sills. I had to use spray foam to try and seal it up, which helped a lot but its still not 100%

CountryXJ

Okay I see. Do you think it would still gap like that if they weren't being hit and taking abuse? I don't do any hard cord wheel and don't really plan to. But I do take my jeep hunting and camping and like to take different road and trails, so you do think it would still gap?

CountryXJ

.

pickles

I think the bushwacker flat flares look better and probably work better overall. My pocket flares fill up with mud and dirt, which also pushes trys to push them away from the body

CountryXJ

okay thanks pickles for the input!

andrewmp6

If you want the flat flares take a look at https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/bu...enders-128610/

Illuminator

I have the bushwacker flat flares on my xj, the install wasn't too bad. In the rear you cut up to where the inner and outer wheel well separate but stop there so you don't open up a gap, then you bend the metal over. Bushwacker has really good instructions on their website, if you want to see what's involved with the install.

Slimgoaty

I have the Napiers, love them. As far as the bolts of screws ever ripping out as the other gentleman said, I would just change over to nuts and bolts with washers, and run it another 15 years lol.

andrewmp6

Rustys has some cut out style flares too.