Fender Trimming
#1
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Fender Trimming
Well, had planned on keeping flares but realizing that eventually bigger tires is gonna mean trimming. I didnt plan on it coming so soon but I guess now will work. I came home yesterday and was messing with a few things and noticed my two front flares were just barely hanging on. After trying to mess with the retarted *** brackets the damn things just fell all the way off. So I unbolted one of the brackets and left the other one. Before I trim I have a couple ?s. I know that the rears have the pinch seam.. I dont plan on trimming them much, just a small cut and fold. On the fronts ill prolly cut up to the stock flare line. What do you guys use? I have an angle grinder that ive gotten pretty good with. Im wanting to keep this clean, not jagged, and not uneven. Post up pics and tell me what you did.
#3
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Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I used and angle grinder on mine. I did have a few jagged spots as it really was my first time using it and my hands were getting tired. But to clean it up I used automotive trim from Advance Auto/Autozone that you can get pretty inexpensively. Looked real nice afterwards. Sorry no photos.
#4
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
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You talking about the door trim? I seen that stuff at walmart..that was my idea was to use that. I may coat about an inch of the fender with bedliner to keep the rust away.
#5
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Sawzall or jigsaw with a fine metal blade. Then a angle grinde with a flap disc to clean it up. I don't even understand why the angle grinder to do the cutting. Talk about the worst tool for the job.
#6
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
If you're confident with an angle grinder, go for it. I did it for mine and it turned out nicely. Easiest way to get it perfect is to put masking tape on it and mark when you want to cut, then follow that line. I'd consider using an air saw or an air cut off tool instead of the angle grinder for more control and visibility when you're making the cut (at least for majority of the trimming, use the angle for the pinches).
Last edited by CrawlinPepper; 11-08-2012 at 03:48 PM.
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#8
Use an air saw or jig saw (or any reciprocating saw really) with a fine tooth metal cutting blade, that's going to be the cleanest way. Then, like McCaffrey said, follow over it with a sanding wheel to really clean up those edges.
Taping out a cut line is a great idea as well.
Taping out a cut line is a great idea as well.
#10
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Model: Cherokee
Angle grinder is quick and cuts through like butter, but I don't like the edge it leaves on the front. If you have or have access to air shears they work great, don't leave a sharp edge, and they're just overall easier to use.
Front has too much give for a sawzall but it works great between the pinch welds in the rear.
Front has too much give for a sawzall but it works great between the pinch welds in the rear.
#11
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L straight 6
Angle grinder . . .cut and fold the back and a straight cut in the front. Be careful not to cut too high into the washer fluid tank like I did lol. Turned out decent
#13
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Sawzall with metal blade. I left my flares on and just cut around them. Cleaned the cuts with flap disc on a grinder. Good luck! Forgot to say this works great for the front. Used a grinder w cut off wheel and a mini sledge hammer for the rear.
Last edited by Dr. Doom; 02-23-2013 at 10:23 PM.
#14
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I started with a sawzall and did not like how ****ty the cut was so I switched to an angle grinder. Next time I goto trim fenders I am getting an air nibbler
Last edited by Tom95YJ; 02-24-2013 at 10:56 AM.