I have a 98 XJ with a 3" lift and 31's. building up as I have the money and the time. Recently bought a set of rims with some offset so my tires now stick out a little more than before. But now I have the problem of the tires rubbing on the plastic factory trim while turning and wheeling. I plan and extending my lift to a 4.5" next summer. But until them I am debating whether or not to either trim the plastics on the front or to take off the trim all the way around. Any advice or ideas or pictures would be very helpful!

 

Try it with out the factory fender flares first,If your going to cut the fenders think if your going to run aftermarket fender flares or not.Reason i bring that up they all want you to cut where they say so the fender flares fit right.If you cut before them your on your own to make them fit and look right.

 

I'm glad you mentioned that about how the aftermarket flares fit. I think I have decided to take off the factory flares tomorrow and see how it looks. I'll post before and after pictures tomorrow.

 

Anything I should be concerned about after taking off the fender well liner?

 

Trim and dont bother with the 4.5" lift.

Unless you just love the looks. 3in of lift is all you need for almost any size tire. And its the max I would go off road. At least more technical stuff.


But as far as trimming goes if you take your time and do it right, you wont even notice it. I personally like the stock flares.

 

I trimmed the front fender an inch, raised the flare. And trimmed an inch off the flare also.

Mine is the black one to the right. 3" lift

 

Very minor trimming, and bumpstops, and you could shove 33's or 35's under it no problem with 3" of lift. If its only rubbing the plastic crap, take it all off imo. I took the flares and all plastic trim off mine, it looks much better imo.

 

I couldn't wait any longer so I went out this evening and too off the plastic that was rubbing while turning. I like the look of the stock flares but I also like the look without the flakes or trim running down the sides. But I'm not sure as how to remove the trim on the doors.

 

I have an '88 so yours may be different. I just pulled the side trim off, it was only held on by 2 sided tape. some goof off and copious amounts of elbow grease should remove the tape residue.

 

Up to you but the side plastic trim has actually taken some hits and scratches from trails, that would have wrecked my doors.

 

If you want cheaper pocket style flares https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f10/to...res-xj-121035/