I've been tossing around the Bushwacker fender flare idea and I was torn between the cut outs of flats. I like the look of the flats much more but didn't know if they would provide enough space so I called Bushwacker. The representative told me that with the flat fenders you cut out about 1/4" of sheet metal so they don't do much other than look good. They said if I have any sort of oversize tire the cut outs are the way to go. I couldn't help but be suspicious so I tore all the flares and bumper end caps off my XJ. From there I followed the Bushwacker online installation instructions and went to drawing on the Jeep. The blue line is for the cut out fenders and the red line is for the flat fenders. On the front there is very little difference between the two. The cut outs have maybe a 1/4" gain over the flats. The rears are another story all together. The cut outs seem to remove a lot of sheet metal. It appears to the point that you would lose some integrity due to cutting so far past the pinch welds that you would be creating voids behind the door and behind the rear tire. My impression was that some welding would need to be done add the strength back to the panels. You gain about 1 1/2" in the rear with the cut outs vs the flats but I have to wonder about the trade off. The front is where I was hitting anyway and that is pretty much the same between the two. I hope the lines are visible enough with my camera phone. If anyone has some more insight on the installation and pros or cons please let me know.

 

Looks great

 

looks great thanks for the comparison. I'm sure when cutting out for the rear though you could just cut and fold the pinch seams right? that way you don't lose any structural integrity or open up the body?

 

Mines welded Along the seem and grinded smooth

 

I have the cut out on my 96 Cherokee and I will say that I was verrrrry hesitant about cutting that much sheet metal out.... that being said, I am glad I did. IMO the cut outs look better and I think that they function better ( mud and other "stuff" does not stay on the lip, like it would on a flat fender). I followed the directions that Bushwacker had and then I coated the inside with a rubberized undercoating (Auto....Zone) it has been 2 yrs since I did this and I have not noticed any rust of the body or other issues... Hope this helps your decision...

 

Now I feel like a sissy. I just ordered the flat fenders. FYI Bushwacker has a $50 rebate going on right now.

 

If u cut the seem above the holes and leave that bit it's look really good that's how mine are I'd take a pic but it's dark out

 

I personally like the look of the cut outs better... Just me though.

 

I'm still up in the air about the cut outs vs the flat fenders. I didn't find the flat fenders appealing at all when I first saw them but they have grown on me, i'll be ordering mine soon so comparisons like this are good to see.

 

i love my BW flat flares and they clear my 33's just fine and im only running a 4.5" lift...i wanted the cut outs at first but i heard that they broke around the bolt holes very easy...

 

I can't imagine them breaking so easily. Unless you're smashing them into things. From a geometric standpoint; they're arched, which usually equates to more structural integrity. Debris SHOULD glace off them. Whereas the flats are really only weight bearing at the top. Side-ward impact would destroy them. I've never used them however, so I couldn't tell you for sure.

 

I'm running the flat flairs, I've rubbed them against a couple of trees and a rock ( not smashed them just rubbed them ) and they held up just fine.
What I like about them over the cut outs is there is no lip on the flat flairs to keep limbs etc. from hooking and ripping the flair. jm .02

 

I like just the cut and roll... the plastic ones do break..

 

Well, I got started today on the flat fenders but got busy doing other stuff. I ended up cutting 2" in front of the tire and 2" behind the tire with about 1/2" cut out above the tire. I just slid the flare on the mounts for a test fit to get an idea how they look. I'm very impressed with the quality and I like the look too. More to come.....

 

looks great...they make a big difference in tire clearance dont they