Okay so for reference I have been talking to Jscherb about the creation of both oem style and flat style fiberglass highlines and we both agreed that the best thing to do is bring this to you guys and get your opinions on the matter to make sure this is a worthwhile endeavor. Below are questions that will help us decide if it’s worth it. I also just want to see if there is an interest in this or if AEV’s kit went dead for a reason.
1. What style should the fenders be? Flat fenders or factory-look fenders? I've done design work on both, some concept views:
2. How much tire clearance should the fenders provide? The AEV kit basically left the inner fenders at the stock height so engine compartment accessories that mount to the fenders wouldn't need to be relocated. While the AEV design made the conversion much easier, it doesn't provide the maximum clearance for larger tires. In this image from the AEV instructions you can see how the outer fender is much higher than the inner fender...
3. If the decision is to do factory look fenders, flares would probably also need to be done, and to be complete, matching higher rear flares probably should be done. This is a photo from the AEV instructions showing their hiline rear flares:
4. What about a hiline hood? Many people are hesitant to cut their factory hood, and cutting it leaves a lower edge with no flange so it's sharp and weak. Should a hiline hood be offered?
5. Maybe do just a hiline flare kit? There are lots of ways to do a hiline conversion by hacking the factory fenders and hood, but there's no good solution for taller flares. Maybe just doing hiline flares to go with DIY conversions would be a popular product? Basically similar to the AEV flares, which are highly sought after and extremely expensive these days.
6. Would there even be enough demand for a hiline kit these days to make it worth the effort to get a kit into production? Apparently AEV decided that there wasn't, because they discontinued their kit some years ago. And would people want a fiberglass kit? There seems to be some sentiment against fiberglass body parts vs. steel or aluminum, would people be turned off by fiberglass and not purchase a fiberglass kit?
1. What style should the fenders be? Flat fenders or factory-look fenders? I've done design work on both, some concept views:
2. How much tire clearance should the fenders provide? The AEV kit basically left the inner fenders at the stock height so engine compartment accessories that mount to the fenders wouldn't need to be relocated. While the AEV design made the conversion much easier, it doesn't provide the maximum clearance for larger tires. In this image from the AEV instructions you can see how the outer fender is much higher than the inner fender...
3. If the decision is to do factory look fenders, flares would probably also need to be done, and to be complete, matching higher rear flares probably should be done. This is a photo from the AEV instructions showing their hiline rear flares:
4. What about a hiline hood? Many people are hesitant to cut their factory hood, and cutting it leaves a lower edge with no flange so it's sharp and weak. Should a hiline hood be offered?
5. Maybe do just a hiline flare kit? There are lots of ways to do a hiline conversion by hacking the factory fenders and hood, but there's no good solution for taller flares. Maybe just doing hiline flares to go with DIY conversions would be a popular product? Basically similar to the AEV flares, which are highly sought after and extremely expensive these days.
6. Would there even be enough demand for a hiline kit these days to make it worth the effort to get a kit into production? Apparently AEV decided that there wasn't, because they discontinued their kit some years ago. And would people want a fiberglass kit? There seems to be some sentiment against fiberglass body parts vs. steel or aluminum, would people be turned off by fiberglass and not purchase a fiberglass kit?
