Fender trim... with a stock look

[Geo Fry]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Geo_Fry/1996%20Cherokee/IMG_3728.jpg

For those of you who want to gain more clearance while keeping a stock fender look here is my write up on my front fender trimming of a pre '97 cherokee.

I'm sitting at 4" of front lift and have some extremely bald 32" BFG ATs. And let me first say that if I stay at the current lift height with the same size tires, I will probably have to trim more than what I show in this write up. Ideally I want to be at 4.5 in the front, in which case it would work I think. But either way, if you want a stock look, this will give you more clearance and you can prevent rub using bump stoppage or more trimming (obviously :hmmmm2:) So enough with the talking :indifferent0020:

Remove the flairs and cut here first

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Geo_Fry/1996%20Cherokee/IMG_3683.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Geo_Fry/1996%20Cherokee/IMG_3686.jpg

Then cut just below the holes

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Geo_Fry/1996%20Cherokee/IMG_3688.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Geo_Fry/1996%20Cherokee/IMG_3690.jpg

I also cut the lip that goes in towards the center of the jeep on the flairs. After that I just painted them with some Duplicolor spray on bedliner.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Geo_Fry/1996%20Cherokee/IMG_3694.jpg

And then, using some simple bolts and nuts, I mounted them to the fender without using the silly retaining strips

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Geo_Fry/1996%20Cherokee/IMG_3727.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Geo_Fry/1996%20Cherokee/IMG_3726.jpg

It kept a decent stock look and in my opinion more aggressive

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Geo_Fry/1996%20Cherokee/IMG_3728.jpg

However, even at partial stuff, I can already tell that I will either need to go up another .5" or trim some more.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Geo_Fry/1996%20Cherokee/IMG_3730.jpg

And please excuse the extremely bald front tires lol

Kyle

[modestmar00xj]

nice man! i cant wait to do mine!

[XJ408]

That looks good man!!!!! I can't decide on putting my flares on or off.....would those fender flares fit my 98 XJ????:thumbsup:

[toebee97]

Dude... that looks totally awesome with a stock bumper! I'm totally freakin doin this to my XJ asap.

[cjxjclassic]

I just did this on my XJ. A buddy and I went to the junkyard up in Houston and took the flares off a 1992 XJ...$7 a piece (CHEAP!!!). So I cut the flares to fit the 2000 body style, painted them, and bolted them with 5/16X1in bolts. Perfect fit, minor trimming other than the way it goes to the body of a 2000. I sure hope these hold up on a trail! :patriot:

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh82/EwwwE07/image.jpg

[907_jeep]

dude...very nice looks like i found another simple yet fun project to do to my xj..its very clean !!!

[bluedragon436]

going to try and look for a set of these flares as well as the newer 97+ for this project... see which turns out looking the best..

[jccatt]

Great job guys. Like it.

[muzzaz41]

That looks really kool quick and easy, have to do that to my 96XJ.

[panama red]

You should cut more and move the flairs up at the same time. Would give even more clearance.

[melitonxj88]

nice work bro

[Excoasty]

That looks really good, what did you use to cut the fenders ?

[cjxjclassic]

Just used a dremel with a metal circular cutting blade. Worked perfectly.

[jeepxj95]

how long did it take? and you have to remove the flares?

[Skipper51]

Added this to my favorites to do later. Still a little nervous about cutting as you can not go back. How much bump stop did you add?

[cherokeewrecker]

This is gonna be the next thing I do to my jeep.

[dagr8tim]

I haven't psyched myself enough to trim. But I've got 4 rear TJ flairs that I'm dieing to put on.

[prcjeep]

I also havent got the nerve to cut yet... Really want to but just not yet... My fenders are bend to hell anyway so I really dont know why I dont just trim away lol

[cherokeewrecker]

Kinda excited about doing it but Im not really wanting to cut my fenders yet. Think I might try it on another set of fenders I got first.

[BrianXJ]

looks great... and as far as the tires.... another 100k

[Skipper51]

Great idea man. I love the way it looks too. :thumbsup:

I am going to keep the endcaps on and just move the flares up a little to acomidate 32's on a 3" lift. I have smacked the endcaps on trees and rock and they just bend. A little touch up paint and they look almost new. Trying to keep the stock look as long as I can because they dont make these anymore. ;)

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k500/Timothy254/Detours%20Backbone%20-%20Super%20Wench/792011SierraButtesEmail11.jpg

[bluedragon436]

Kinda excited about doing it but Im not really wanting to cut my fenders yet. Think I might try it on another set of fenders I got first.

I thought about doing this as well.. on a set of fenders.. or at least one fender.. figure if it turns out in good shape then I'll take my chances on my XJ.. Hope it turns out as clean as the ones on here did..

[Skipper51]

I love the front trim job. Now what aboout the back?
I am looking to raise my rig one inch and put 32's and still want to keep the stock look

[ColbyAttack]

How long did this project take?

[Rayburne]

Looks great, I'm gonna hit up a junkyard and get a set to install until I get the money for a set of Napier V2's