Would you replace these flares

[mde8965]

looking to do a 2” lift and 32x11.5” tires on my Columbia Edition. I have some Dick Cepak wheels with 3.625 backspacing that will ensure no rubbing. But they will stick out beyond the factory flares at least 1.5”

Question is if it were your choice would you replace the stock slate grey painted flares with one of the 7” flares offered by extreme terrain or similar which come in black ABS? I know that would require replacing (I will not eliminate) the small flares behind the front wheels too

See pic of vehicle/flares below

 

[glwood]

I personally like either the black or body color flares. If you are set on wider tires & want wider flares, and want to keep the color, there are several choices for flares, and you could find argent colored paint, that would be very close, to paint them with.

 

[mde8965]

No I’m not married to the idea that the flares have to be slate grey painted. But they are a nice touch. I am caught in paralysis by analysis right now. I keep going back and forth between 31x10.5 tires with will likely stick out about 1/2 to 3/4 inch from the stock flares or going with the 32x11.5 tires which will stick out over 1 inch. 2” lift either way. I like the idea of the wider stance. But with the narrower tires I probably would not worry about new flares. Wish there was a 32x10.5 tire.

I’m new to this. Even if I replaced the flares not sure if I would want ones that look like stock black ones but wider or ones that have the “ridges” in them.

 

[glwood]

No I’m not married to the idea that the flares have to be slate grey painted. But they are a nice touch. I am caught in paralysis by analysis right now. I keep going back and forth between 31x10.5 tires with will likely stick out about 1/2 to 3/4 inch from the stock flares or going with the 32x11.5 tires which will stick out over 1 inch. 2” lift either way. I like the idea of the wider stance. But with the narrower tires I probably would not worry about new flares. Wish there was a 32x10.5 tire.

I’m new to this. Even if I replaced the flares not sure if I would want ones that look like stock black ones but wider or ones that have the “ridges” in them.

You can also buy replacement Rubicon flares, which are 1" wider. Look through some of the threads like "2" lift w/ 31/32" tires"...you'll get some good ideas of what that looks like; some wider, some narrower.

 

[cliffish]

No I’m not married to the idea that the flares have to be slate grey painted. But they are a nice touch. I am caught in paralysis by analysis right now. I keep going back and forth between 31x10.5 tires with will likely stick out about 1/2 to 3/4 inch from the stock flares or going with the 32x11.5 tires which will stick out over 1 inch. 2” lift either way. I like the idea of the wider stance. But with the narrower tires I probably would not worry about new flares. Wish there was a 32x10.5 tire.

I’m new to this. Even if I replaced the flares not sure if I would want ones that look like stock black ones but wider or ones that have the “ridges” in them.

I think the 31 x 10.5 are going to stick out more than .75" mine are much more than an inch at 90mm offset (3.54331")
I also like the ridged or pocket flares with TJ's just makes it kind of "period" correct" to me

 

[mde8965]

I think the 31 x 10.5 are going to stick out more than .75" mine are much more than an inch at 90mm offset (3.54331")
I also like the ridged or pocket flares with TJ's just makes it kind of "period" correct" to me
View attachment 34018

You might be right on the amount they stick out. I might be looking at a full 2” with the 32x11.5. Which would be about perfect for a 7” aftermarket flare. I like the pocket ones too. Thanks!

 

[cliffish]

MY problem is I kind of like the "skateboard" look of the wheels sticking out, so I do not want a wider flair so any of the cheap versions are 6". Mine came with 6" stock type flares when I bought it and it looked really dumb, the pocket type at least give it a "dimensional look" not sure how the pocket type would look painted body color though.

 

[mde8965]

MY problem is I kind of like the "skateboard" look of the wheels sticking out, so I do not want a wider flair so any of the cheap versions are 6". Mine came with 6" stock type flares when I bought it and it looked really dumb, the pocket type at least give it a "dimensional look" not sure how the pocket type would look painted body color though.

I am not totally against the skateboard look (in moderation), but don't like the idea of having the side of my Jeep and rear fender flares pelted with debris, small rocks, and water (on wet roads). And although I do like the pocket flares look...my whole premise with my TJ is to keep as many things stock appearing as possible (with exception of the wheels and tires). I think what I will do is after I have my lift and my tires installed, I will decide if I can live with the skateboard look and pitfalls, and if not will order something like this (unless somebody knows of a better kit that is similar). Likely will NOT paint these, unless I decide to respray the entire body later on...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010DMXYM/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[cjaama]

Have you seen photos of 7" stock style flares? They look pretty ridiculous IMO and I think they'd be overkill with 11.5" tires.
I'm in the market for wider stock style flares for the same reason you've mentioned, but I wouldn't really want anything over 5".
I posted a thread on another message board soliciting photos and someone shared this of his 7" flares. I'm pretty sure these are 12.5" wide tires.

 

[CodaMan]

Have you seen photos of 7" stock style flares? They look pretty ridiculous IMO and I think they'd be overkill with 11.5" tires.
I'm in the market for wider stock style flares for the same reason you've mentioned, but I wouldn't really want anything over 5".
I posted a thread on another message board soliciting photos and someone shared this of his 7" flares. I'm pretty sure these are 12.5" wide tires.

View attachment 34021

Those flares just look too wide for my taste.

 

[cliffish]

Those flares just look too wide for my taste.

that is what was on mine when I got it...terrible. I found a stock set to get me to when I can figure what i really want.

 

[JMT]

I think 7" is way too wide. I would never go over 5", as someone mentioned previously. Your stock are 3.25".

I have the DC-2's with 3.625 BS and ran 31x10.5r15's for a year. I was absolutely fine with the stock flares. Yes, they stuck out some. No, it doesn't rain a lot here. So I didn't have to deal with flying debris much. Here's a pic of that setup coming in a few minutes.

I now run 33x12.5's. I am still absolutely fine with the stock flares. They stick out 1 more inch than before. It doesn't bother me at all, but I would probably grab some Rubicon flares if I found some for $100 or less. A pic of the current setup coming in a few minutes.

 

[Jeffreybomb]

If you're getting a suspension lift, the geometry between the frame and the suspension will change. Your TJ will sit further to the driver's side, which means the tires on the passenger's side will stick out further than the tires on the driver's side. To correct the positioning, you'll need adjustable track bars to replace the stock front and rear.

Don't forget to keep that in mind when you consider fender flares.

 

[mde8965]

Ha ha. You guys are right. The 7 inch ones look kind of ridiculous. Don’t know why I thought the stock ones were 4 3/4 inches. That said 5 inches would probably be about perfect. But I’m not going to do anything with the flairs until after I have my lift and my wheels and tires on there. Then I will determine how much they stick out. And then if I can live with them sticking out or if I want to replace them. The Rubicon flairs might be an option too. But my OCD would not let me get any of those and less they were in perfect condition. Hey maybe I’ll just go with 14 1/2 inch wide tires. LOL. That would look cute.

 

[mde8965]

If you're getting a suspension lift, the geometry between the frame and the suspension will change. Your TJ will sit further to the driver's side, which means the tires on the passenger's side will stick out further than the tires on the driver's side. To correct the positioning, you'll need adjustable track bars to replace the stock front and rear.

Don't forget to keep that in mind when you consider fender flares.

The OME 2.5 inch lift kit. Doesn’t that come with Track bar brackets? I’m not saying that that would stop the shift towards the passenger side but would it be as bad?

 

[Jeffreybomb]

The OME 2.5 inch lift kit. Doesn’t that come with Track bar brackets? I’m not saying that that would stop the shift towards the passenger side but would it be as bad?

I'm assuming this is the kit you're getting? If I'm reading correctly, that bracket should be all you need to get the body back in place.

 

[mde8965]

I'm assuming this is the kit you're getting? If I'm reading correctly, that bracket should be all you need to get the body back in place.

The light duty version of that kit with the same brackets, yes. But going to a local Jeep shop today to get their thoughts.

 

[JMT]

The OME 2.5 inch lift kit. Doesn’t that come with Track bar brackets? I’m not saying that that would stop the shift towards the passenger side but would it be as bad?

The OME kit comes with a rear trackbar relocation bracket. It is a bit of a PITA to install, but I did it with a pair of helping hands. It also steals some clearance in the rear as the raised trackbar will now be closer to the tub. For the front you would need an adjustable trackbar if the amount of shift toward the driver's side was not acceptable.

 

[Jeffreybomb]

The OME kit comes with a rear trackbar relocation bracket.

I thought it was a bracket for the front, but you're right — it's for the rear.

However, in searching for the bracket on Quadratec's site, this is the bracket listed in the lift kit, which looks a lot different from the one in the kit. Not sure why that is.

 

[mde8965]

The OME kit comes with a rear trackbar relocation bracket. It is a bit of a PITA to install, but I did it with a pair of helping hands. It also steals some clearance in the rear as the raised trackbar will now be closer to the tub. For the front you would need an adjustable trackbar if the amount of shift toward the driver's side was not acceptable.

Good to know. Not worried about the rear clearance for my application. However I hope the front end shift isn’t bad. Thanks