I'm not a newbie to Cherokees, or Jeeps in general. I have owned 2 Comanches, a 99 Cherokee, and a 92 YJ. My current ride that I LOVE, newly acquired, is my 98 XJ with a 5.5 Rubicon lift. I AM a newbie to aftermarket parts to add to the Jeep, such as fender flares, and snorkel kits. I went to Quadratec and saw that ARB snorkels were in the 600.00 range, and Bushwhacker cutout fender flares were right around the same dollar range. But on eBay, I found clones, what look to be the equivalent products, for around 80-150 bucks delivered for an ARB snorkel clone, and around 200 bucks or less for Bushwhacker clones that appear to be exactly the same. Has anyone used these clones? I know, you get what you pay for. And look at my hat in my profile picture...America first whenever possible. But isn't ARB an Australian product? I thought Bushwhacker was as well. Anyhow, anyone use them and have any problems with them? I want fender flares to keep my new Jeep cleaner, and a snorkel in case I ever have to cross a flooded wash in Arizona. But the huge difference in prices has me wondering. These are plastic parts...how different can they be, except in the durability of the plastic? Which is why I am asking this question here...has anyone used the cheaper equivalents, and what is your experience with them? Thanks

Kev

 

From numerous experience with friends of mine, the abay clone fender flares are hot garbage. You don't have to go bushwacker. Napier makes a great product as well.

 

Thanks Martlor! This is an important thread to keep going for the majority of us that are on a budget, and it is plastic...we should get the cheapest quality product for an injected plastic device as possible.

What were your friends experiences, Martlor? Bad fit? Brittle plastic? Easily broken? And have they owned the real version of ARB snorkel or Bushwhacker fender, and can give us their experience to tell us the difference in durability and ease of installation?

These are the things we need to know when it comes to plastic parts that should only be almost 700 bucks for a DAMN good reason.

Kev

 

For instance...these fender flares are about 180 with shipping...and look exactly like Bushwhackers. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pocket-Style...FZFVhE&vxp=mtr

And this snorkel system is around 75 bucks! http://www.ebay.com/itm/84-01-Jeep-C...tZVG6V&vxp=mtr Seriously! What makes the ARB so much better that I should pay 6-800 bucks for it?

Kev

 

I would think the snorkel kits would be about the same ARB might be slightly better but not $500 better. The reason ARB is so expensive is because you are paying for the name, and they can get away with charging that much because people will pay that much for it. Same thing with Snap On Tools or any other big name brand product, people think its the greatest on earth just because it has name brand X on it and they are willing to pay big money for it.

 

I bought the eBay flares about two years ago and the plastic is weak and has cracked in several places around the mounting holes (hardware was NOT overtightened). I'm an avid ebayer, but I definitely struck out on the eBay flares. Haven't gotten around to getting another set but will likely go with Napier

 

All plastic products are not made the same. Just like not all wood or metal products are....the bushwacker and Napier flares are far more rigid. The quality of the plastic is seen right away....the eBay products are flimsy out of the box....4 different friends, 4 different eBay products.....all were brittle and cracked 1 or 2 trips in.

 

Thanks for the replies!

Kev

 

I think it depends on your environment. I personally wish I would've just built some steel flares because (in my opinion) the Bushwackers just aren't worth what you pay for them. If you're going to be brushing trees daily, get a cheap set so they're easy to replace. If the tight squeeze is a seldom thing, get the Bushwackers but don't plan on standing on them or expect them to protect your quarter panels.

In the case of Bushwacker and ARB, I agree- you're buying a name to put on your rig. ARB's roof top tents are exactly the same as the cheaper brands, but their onboard air pumps stand alone in the industry and I'll vouch for them as the best OBA systems around. But look at some of the other CherokeeForum members' snorkel systems on here. Half of them are PVC or ABS with dryer vents as top caps and they work great. When it comes to a plastic tube to direct air past water, it shouldn't cost an arm and a leg.

 

I bought pocket flares for a truck I once owned off of eBay. They suck! Sun faded in about a year.