Fenders, Plastic or Painted

[Timmyjoe]

I've got a 2019 Wrangler Sport S 2-door with the black plastic fenders, and I'm a bit confused. I see many Jeeps with body color fenders and many with the black plastic like mine. I always thought the more expensive Jeeps had the body color fenders, in particular the Rubicons. But I keep seeing Rubicons with black plastic fenders like mine, and some with body matched painted ones. I thought Rubicons, being high end, had the color matched painted fenders standard. Are the painted fenders an option across the Jeep line?

Best,
-Tim

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[Bryce]

IAre the painted fenders an option across the Jeep line?

Best,
-Tim

Painted Fenders are an option on Rubicons.

 

[FitBliss]

If you off-road allot, totally worth it! to skip the paint pinstripes. If you just city drive, I would go painted. I have the painted with my Rubicon and I really like how they look when the doors and top are off, but my top is matte black and it has been great on the trails, if it was painted it would have been a waste of money.

 

[Arterius2]

Yes I like the painted fenders and hardtop on my Sahara.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Sahara comes standard with painted top and fenders, both are options on Rubicon, neither available on Sport. Some people prefer the black to the painted ones.

 

[Pig-Pen]

I like the painted fenders but i have scratched my black fenders on the trails a few times. Scratched/scraped painted fenders would look worse than plastic.

 

[Strommen95]

Sahara comes standard with painted top and fenders, both are options on Rubicon, neither available on Sport. Some people prefer the black to the painted ones.

Painted top is not standard on Sahara's.

 

[Roky]

+ one on the plastic if you’re gonna be wheeling in the woods......

 

[HealthRebel]

I prefer the Ocean Blue painted fenders on my Rubicon but with the non-painted black top. My last 2 Wranglers, 2002 and 2012, had the non-painted fenders. They faded to grey pretty quickly in the Texas sun unless you kept them conditioned.

My plan is to have my fenders Line-X coated down the road if or when they get scratched up. But... it's all about personal preference.

 

[SecretAgentMan]

Keep in mind that Rubicons were never meant to be "high end". That's what Saharas/Overlands are for. Rubicons are specially equipped with upgrades for off-roadability. The Jeep Engineers helped convince Chrysler to create a special "off road upgrade" package after hearing request after request at events like Camp Jeep by customers who wanted lockers, sill protection, beefier tires, and lower gear ratios right from the factory. As a result of the add-ons, Rubicons come at a higher price, but it isn't because they are "higher end".

 

[303rider]

Agree with other posts. I was bummed I did not get painted. But after hitting trails every weekend in Colorado and seeing the scratches on the paint and the plastic fenders, I am happy with the black plastic.

 

[Sean L]

Keep in mind that Rubicons were never meant to be "high end". That's what Saharas/Overlands are for. Rubicons are specially equipped with upgrades for off-roadability. The Jeep Engineers helped convince Chrysler to create a special "off road upgrade" package after hearing request after request at events like Camp Jeep by customers who wanted lockers, sill protection, beefier tires, and lower gear ratios right from the factory. As a result of the add-ons, Rubicons come at a higher price, but it isn't because they are "higher end".

It's worth noting that all of the luxury options available on the Sahara are also available on the Rubicon. Both of the Rubicons I test drove were quite a bit nicer than my pretty basic Sahara, at a cost of about 13 grand more (per the MSRP) Painted fenders and hard top (power top on one of em) leather seats, 8.4 navigation, heated seats ect... So "High end" is still a fair term for a Rubicon, If equipped.

 

[Gellie]

I went back and forth on the option when I built my 20 JLUR. Ultimately went with the non painted fenders. I thought they look sportier. The painted ones on my 2010 JKU always looked scratched/faded after a short while.

 

[FitBliss]

Have to admit there are also allot of really cool aftermarket fenders out there if the plastic non painted ones aren't for you after some time.

 

[flot]

I ordered a "high end" Rubicon and went with plastic fenders. I like the contrast and IMO the plastic fenders look good in that they match the soft top, bumpers, plastic grates, etc.

The good news is that there seem to be plenty of take-off fenders (both kinds) out there if you change your mind later. I'm actually surprised i don't see many JLs with different-color painted fenders on them. (IE a white jeep with orange fenders etc)

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