Flat tube fenders?

[lovemachine]

So I think I'm starting to like the looks of the flat tube style fenders. I'm not sure why, but they are growing on me. Sort of.

I was always a fan of the factory stock style fenders flares before.

So, who makes them? I know of Poison Spyder and Metal Cloak. Is there anyone else?

Which ones can be mounted without welding?

What's the general opinions of them on this forum?

And how about making this a picture thread? I'd love to see pictures of them.

 

[Fouledplugs]

JCR
Gen Right
TNT Customs

 

[derekmac]

I love my Black Widow Gear fenders. I went with the DIY kit, but you can get them premade as well.

http://shop.blackwidowgear.com/YJ-TJ-88-06_c44.htm

 

[crackedcornish]

the thing I like about the metalcloaks is that the flares are a separate bolt on piece that's available in several different widths.

I have 4" flares on my YJ and 6" flares on the TJ

 

[05 Blue Unlimited]

I just discovered these. I have not found the rear though.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B3VH9PC/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[JMT]

Don’t count out MCE

https://mcefenders.com/product-category/tj-fenders/

 

[glwood]

I just discovered these. I have not found the rear though.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B3VH9PC/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Rear:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079HX71F8/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Nathan Stanfield]

I really like TNT customs. I have been researching fenders and theirs seem like they would be less of a hassle to install than others I have looked at.
I'm also a little biased because their shop is here in town so I don't have to pay shipping. I can just drive over and get stuff. They are really good folks to deal with too and stand by their products.

 

[JMT]

I really like TNT customs. I have been researching fenders and theirs seem like they would be less of a hassle to install than others I have looked at.
I'm also a little biased because their shop is here in town so I don't have to pay shipping. I can just drive over and get stuff. They are really good folks to deal with too and stand by their products.

I've been thinking about their rock sliders for months and talked to Tyler??? I think is his name, multiple times. He is very nice and pretty helpful. The sliders have a double bend, which is wonderful, because a 90* bend is a deal breaker for me. The only thing I wish is the slider did not have the TNT logo cut out. Maybe I could talk them into forming one without their logo. I don't mean anything negative toward them, I just prefer a flat side.

 

[05 Blue Unlimited]

Ok so this will kill it for me. I just got a reply from a e-bay seller who states "Yes, extensive cutting and drilling will be required for installation of this fender as well cutting to your own fender."

 

[JMT]

Ok so this will kill it for me. I just got a reply from a e-bay seller who states "Yes, extensive cutting and drilling will be required for installation of this fender as well cutting to your own fender."

Try MCE. They're a poly type of flare, but they don't require cutting. Price is still unreasonable ($738 front and rear for 4.5"), but not near as high as something like MC or JCR. Also, because they are plastic, they will flex and not transfer a hit to the body. Lifetime warranty too, you break it, they buy it! I think you gain 2-2 1/2" of up travel, which can accommodate larger tires. All in all it's reasonable and gains you some function in addition to form. After all my research 8 months ago, I settled on these as the best overall flatty. I also like that they maintain the same OE finish as an option. That connects them to the TJ tradition and the flatty to the original Jeeps. MADE IN THE USA. How can you lose?

https://mcefenders.com/product/tj-generation-ii-front-fenders-with-rear-flares-4-5-width/

 

[jjvw]

The key to understanding all these fender options is to understand the existence and impact of the hood line.

MCE is very similar to Metalcloak in that it allows the tire to flex above the hood line. If you are currently bump stopped to keep the tires out of the factory steel fenders (ignore the flares) at full flex, then MCE and MC will allow for less bump stop.

Metalcloak goes a step further and opens up the back side of the wheel well. If you have large enough tires where rubbing in that spot is an issue, then there is a benefit. If your tires don't rub in that spot, then there is no benefit.

A true highline fender that requires cutting the hood goes yet another step further. This will allow for more clearance at full flex and at full hard bump because now the hood is not in the way.

The dirty secret of all the flat fenders you see that keep the hood intact and don't allow the tire to rise above the hood line is that they offer no more clearance than the factory fenders do. Jeep already made the most of what is there. Reach under the flare and feel for the indentation that the Jeep engineers put in to make room for the tires.

In fact, if the outer tube section of the flat fender is larger than the stock fender lip, then all you have done is reduce clearance.

 

[bobthetj03]

Try MCE. They're a poly type of flare, but they don't require cutting. Price is still unreasonable ($738 front and rear for 4.5"), but not near as high as something like MC or JCR. Also, because they are plastic, they will flex and not transfer a hit to the body. Lifetime warranty too, you break it, they buy it! I think you gain 2-2 1/2" of up travel, which can accommodate larger tires. All in all it's reasonable and gains you some function in addition to form. After all my research 8 months ago, I settled on these as the best overall flatty. I also like that they maintain the same OE finish as an option. That connects them to the TJ tradition and the flatty to the original Jeeps. MADE IN THE USA. How can you lose?

https://mcefenders.com/product/tj-generation-ii-front-fenders-with-rear-flares-4-5-width/

Don't you have to cut up the outer portion of the fender to install them?

 

[jjvw]

Don't you have to cut up the outer portion of the fender to install them?

Yep. Most of the outer portion goes away. It's a feature of the MCE fenders that I'm not sure very many know to take advantage of.

 

[JMT]

Don't you have to cut up the outer portion of the fender to install them?

Yep. Most of the outer portion goes away. It's a feature of the MCE fenders that I'm not sure very many know to take advantage of.

Ooops...If I go this route, I may find an old damaged set, as long as the inner is good, you could use that and save your stock...

 

[Nathan Stanfield]

I've been thinking about their rock sliders for months and talked to Tyler??? I think is his name, multiple times. He is very nice and pretty helpful. The sliders have a double bend, which is wonderful, because a 90* bend is a deal breaker for me. The only thing I wish is the slider did not have the TNT logo cut out. Maybe I could talk them into forming one without their logo. I don't mean anything negative toward them, I just prefer a flat side.

You could probably call and talk to Bob or Marry and ask them if they would make a set without the logo.
I have thought about that too and wondered if I could just use my welder to fill in the cut out and then grind it smooth.
There are really helpful, so you might give it a shot. I cant even go in the place without staying for at least 45 minutes and talking Jeeps.

 

[FTI76]

These flat fenders were $300 to the door from ExtremeTerrain. They are Barricade branded (cheap stuff from China) but they have served me well and after a few winters still no rust. The inner portion of the factory fender is retained and these bolt onto that part. I did this myself with a $30 body saw from Harbor Freight. I understand not everybody likes this look, but I was not a fan of plastic on my TJ and happy to be rid of the factory flares. For reasons mentioned previously in this thread these cheaper solutions are more for aesthetics over function.

 

[ac_]

I understand not everybody likes this look, but I was not a fan of plastic on my TJ and happy to be rid of the factory flares.

I am with you!! I bet you really hate the JK's and JL's those fenders are all plastic. I am not a fan.

 

[Fouledplugs]

The dirty secret of all the flat fenders you see that keep the hood intact and don't allow the tire to rise above the hood line is that they offer no more clearance than the factory fenders do. Jeep already made the most of what is there. Reach under the flare and feel for the indentation that the Jeep engineers put in to make room for the tires.

In fact, if the outer tube section of the flat fender is larger than the stock fender lip, then all you have done is reduce clearance.

It has always been my understanding that the whole point of a flat fender originally was to support a front wheelbase stretch. Taking away the front downward curve with the turn signal in it allows a YJ/TJ owner to run a front stretch while still allowing uninterrupted up travel and not interfere with the front part of the fender...Hope that makes sense.

I believe people just picked the flat fender craze up because it "looks" good. Pure looks these days, unless you are stretching the front to the point where up travel impacts on the fender portion of the fenders with the turn signals.

 

[jjvw]

It has always been my understanding that the whole point of a flat fender originally was to support a front wheelbase stretch. Taking away the front downward curve with the turn signal in it allows a YJ/TJ owner to run a front stretch while still allowing uninterrupted up travel and not interfere with the front part of the fender...Hope that makes sense.

...

It is plausible. This is the first I've read of flat fenders being intended for a front stretch.

I believe people just picked the flat fender craze up because it "looks" good. Pure looks these days, unless you are stretching the front to the point where up travel impacts on the fender portion of the fenders with the turn signals....

I would think that if one gets to the point where the tires are hitting the front face of the stock fenders, hi lines would already be in place.