helmut

I don't think there is a thread on these yet so here it goes. Thor fender skins for the front. I bought them to cover up some ugly fender trim on my Xj and to have some armor. They look pretty sweet an install is a breeze. Pretty pointless as far as armor goes but look good. After a few times out they are dented and mangled. they are not much thicker that the stock fender. You could bend them with your bare hands but look pretty cool. Here are some pics

MannyLedezma

Yeah they hold up a lot better bedlined. Not much need for them, but they do cover up nice and protect from pin striping.

helmut

They make more sense on your jeep as you probably don't bang into things with your fenders due to the expensive bushwakers anyways. When I was buying them I still cared about the sheetmetal on my Jeep. Now that the things got a lot more careless (on my part) I see that there is no need for them. They got bent and dented just like regular fenders would.

MannyLedezma

Yeah I'm waiting to see how long the Bushsmackers will hold up. I actually am just getting a lot of that done. Haven't done any wheeling with her yet. I don't see myself as a careless skinny pedal kind of guy; but I'm sure with the places to wheel around here, I could end up on my side pretty easy. At least if I do smash off the flares, I will already have the armor under there to clean up my ugly trim job.

helmut

I really like the roof rack with the slider. I could use that where we wheel. Its really tight and I rub against trees.

Jeepjunky

you guys honestly paid $160 for that?? what a waste when you can make them for 10x cheaper

MannyLedezma

I'm sure I could if I had the resources to do so. I was fine for paying for them though.

xjbeadlocks

CPLSeraphim

LOL. Yeah, you will learn once you get further into working on your jeeps that a welder is a very worthwhile investment and will save you hundreds of dollars if not more over time. Building a bumper, at most, half the cost of buying one. roof rack... at most, 1/4 of what you would buy one. etc...etc.

They look nice on your jeep, but seeing as how they provide no real protection, although i am sure they can handle a scratch, which is probably about it, i wouldn't buy another set.

But, for starting, they look good, and we have all made the mistake of buying something we though would work better.

They look nice though.

helmut

True that. Welder is in the works this spring after I clean up my garage. I started looking into hybrid cages and quickly decided that I am making one myself. Even frame tie in brackets are a hassle for me without a welder. I dont think I will ever do anything with the front fenders though. Its kind of pointless in my opinion. I dont mind that the skins are bent anymore. It does not bother me. Plus I like that the wheel is the first thing to touch in any situation right now. We dont have to have flares in Illinois so I really dont see the point of making tube flares etc.

helmut

Yep, I did pay 160. All the beer I could have had for that.

CPLSeraphim

Yeah, here im PA, and i think the police are Jeepists (racist for jeeps) love pulling over lifted Jeeps for everything. And flares is a big one.. no tire beyond a fender flare. mubdlaps, covers on light bars, etc etc.

Anyway, yeah, since getting a welder, I have just been having lots of fun welding, and i won mine on ebay with a bid i never really though would win. $235 for a 135 hobart handler, does everything i need it to. shipping was $100, from texas to Pa, but the thing was practically brand new.
Good luck.

helmut

Exactly. Even if I dont build the cage for a while, I still need a welder. I wish I had one right now. I need to cut and reweld my rear shock mounts as the pinion rotated after a shimmed the rear axle, also I want to tie in my rear bumper to the frame and weld in frame stiffeners. All that work will probably cost me near a cost of a used welder. But unfortunately I only have a 1 car garage that is full of stuff, so no room for now. And if I do it outside my condo association menager will have a heart attack.

MannyLedezma

Yeah I can't wait to have a place I can really work on my Jeeps and store tools.