Legato1982

Hi guys! Got a 98 XJ with a 4.5 Zone lift and 33x10.5 MT but I bought it as is. When I need to change my tires I'll be getting 33x12.5. My XJ came with no fender flares so I can cut them off, put stock on them or some bushwackers I guess. But not sure if I'm safe on clearance if I decide to go with bushwackers. I was thinking also of cutting and putting on some edge protectors like people use on the doors. Any ideas?

Xj88

Just trim them.
Here is 3" lift and 33x12.50s

caged

bushwackers look clean and finished.

you will have no problems with them running 33's.

KeepOnJeeping

I like both trimmed fenders and bushwhacker but sometimes bushwhacker looks too big and bulky.

Legato1982

I agree. I have seen both options to look pretty good but I think bushwackers look better with 35's. With 33's sometimes the fender looks bigger than the tire. I actually think the stock fenders look pretty good but I think I need to cut the fender a bit to have a bit more clearance. Just in case. If I did cut the fender can I move the stock ones up?

Legato1982

If I trim them temporarily can I put the bushwackers later on? I love a clean look but don't want to think I'm gonna be on a trail and my flare breaks.

KeepOnJeeping

Idk bushwhacker gives you a measurement to cut the STOCK fender if you cut past their measurement it might not fit properly. But if you do mess up you can always get another fender online or in the junkyard. You could cut your fender bigger than what the bushwhacker fender flares are or you could cut up your fender too much to where the bushwhacker fender flare will not fit properly.

caged

yeah, bushwackers work best with 35/36 inch tires that are at least 13.5 wide. otherwise they do look a little silly. you also want to have minimum 3 inch backspace or run spacers so the tire sticks out past the flare slightly. otherwise you risk cracking the flare off a tree or rock.

when i ran my 36's for almost 10 years, the tire rubbed the tree and protected the flare. as soon as i took those off and went to 33's, i broke 2 flares.

yes, before i got the bushwackers, i just cut and trimmed my stock flares and moved them up a couple inches. looked pretty good, hid the cut marks and kept the cops happy.

Legato1982

Thanks for the response very detailed and I think we have the same point of view. I was curious, I ordered some stock fenders just cuZ I saw them cheap. Do you think with the 4.5 lift and 33's I have, keeping in mind I will change from 10.5 to 12.5, do you think my tire will eventually rip off the fender? Or should I just cut and sell those stock fenders?

Gimpy

Nice truck, hoping mine gets their soon. So for me, i am running on 31s and want to go to 33s. How much did you cut off the wheel wells?? 2inches, 3 inches or just that lip thats their??

PocketsEmpty

Consider the flat style Bushwackers. They look 100x better than the big dorky ones.

caged

if you just want to run your wheels you have now and don't want to possibly damage your bushwackers, you can just cut like everyone else does, and relocate your stock flares up to cover the cut lines, then when you move up to bigger wheels, install the bushwackers. you do need to cut some fender for them anyways, so for now you will be fine.

or you can still use the bushwackers with the wheels you have now without flexing the wheels into them, but they will look huge with the small wheels, and will be riskier rubbing them into trees/rocks until you get wide enough wheels to hit the tree first.

if your tires don't stick past the bushwackers by at least an inch, i wouldn't run them on tight trails yet. or get spacers to help with the backspacing some.

XJ-92

Here is 4in with 35's and a little bit of trimming. never hit the fenders due to proper bumpstopping.

Little Red XJ

Go with the Bushwacker Flat Fender Flares.

Look at this thread....first pics are with the flat style flares and smaller wheels and tires
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/bu...-wells-181714/

I had to take one of mine off to fix a mounting bolt, if I remember right the actual flare is hollow, so you might be able to actually trim it down (make them narrower) so it doesn't stick out as far.

That same thread I posted the installation PDF instructions that show how you need to cut and trim the stock fenders.

Legato1982

OK so I went ahead and trimmed the front fenders for now, as soon as I finish moving it up a bit and put on the stock flares I will post a picture, first time using a angle grinder! Something about doing stuff yourself, its an accomplishment... i know many here know their way around powertools and handy work, well, I don't at all... but came out pretty good I think... I'll keep you guys posted. Decided to go with the stock flares, I like them more than the bushwackers, I think those look good with 35x12.5" tires at least, other than that looks a bit weird IMO.