Sponsored

Metal/Steel Fender Flare Regrets????

rkwfxd

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rich
Joined
May 24, 2021
Threads
37
Messages
1,117
Reaction score
2,115
Location
Whittier
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLR, 2020 Tahoe 4x4, 2006 Tundra, 1990 964
Occupation
Unemployed
Anyone install metal or steel fender flares and then regret doing so later?

I know the plastic ones, both factory and aftermarket, are designed to mount with plastic pins and pop off if you bump something. The metal ones that I have seen are all bolted solid to the tub. I prefer the looks of the metal ones on the market over the plastic ones, but I am concerned that if I bump a rock or a tree I will damage not only the flare, but the tub they are bolted to. On the other hand, I know a person with metal fenders on her TJ and she has flopped and even rolled it and the fenders actually held up great and probably protected the tub from any real damage.

Would just like to hear from folks that have bolted on metal fenders and what kind of issues they may have had.

Thank you
Sponsored

 

GATORB8

Well-Known Member
First Name
Matt
Joined
May 30, 2021
Threads
19
Messages
7,023
Reaction score
9,081
Location
CLT NC
Vehicle(s)
21 JLURe
A consideration for me was offset/poke and coverage. With low offset (+18mm) I don’t have enough tire poke to protect the fenders with stockish coverage. I went plastic because of that. If we were good with reducing coverage enough for the tire to provide protection, metal would be higher on the list.

Another option is KBD poly’s that can flex.
 

DWaX

Well-Known Member
First Name
D
Joined
Jun 7, 2018
Threads
1
Messages
184
Reaction score
533
Location
Wilmington, NC
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLUR
All your concerns over steel fenders are valid, in most impacts you will transfer that force into the body panels and the JLs are thin and easily dented.

If you wheel in rocks and trees, I'd go plastic, cheaper and very easy to replace cheaply.

WaX
 

crudesolo

Well-Known Member
First Name
Christian
Joined
Sep 28, 2021
Threads
0
Messages
53
Reaction score
137
Location
New York
Vehicle(s)
2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2 dr
This was a consideration of mine as well. I do a lot of driving in NYC and don't want to be tagged by a car or delivery truck and have to worry about bent body panels. The KBD polyurethane flares are perfect. I probably don't have to worry about tires rubbing at full flex on the stock suspension when I eventually go to a bigger tire.
 

Sponsored

rohdawg

Well-Known Member
First Name
Matt
Joined
Sep 18, 2018
Threads
6
Messages
1,640
Reaction score
3,709
Location
Long Island, New York
Vehicle(s)
2024 JLUR Anvil / 2021 JLUR Hydro Blue
Occupation
Merchant Marine
Here is an old before and after of the KBD's

Jeep Wrangler JL Metal/Steel Fender Flare Regrets???? 20220908_195254


Jeep Wrangler JL Metal/Steel Fender Flare Regrets???? 20220908_195254
How much lift are you running, Wax? I keep looking at the KBD’s… can’t make up my mind.
 

mnjeeper

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dave
Joined
Oct 5, 2020
Threads
14
Messages
936
Reaction score
1,676
Location
MN
Vehicle(s)
98 TJ, 2021 JLUR
I know a person with metal fenders on her TJ and she has flopped and even rolled it and the fenders actually held up great and probably protected the tub from any real damage.
TJ front tube fenders replaced the existing metal where today it's metal flares using the same mount point the plastic flares use.
 
OP
OP
rkwfxd

rkwfxd

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rich
Joined
May 24, 2021
Threads
37
Messages
1,117
Reaction score
2,115
Location
Whittier
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLR, 2020 Tahoe 4x4, 2006 Tundra, 1990 964
Occupation
Unemployed
Here is an old before and after of the KBD's

Jeep Wrangler JL Metal/Steel Fender Flare Regrets???? 20221023_180757


Jeep Wrangler JL Metal/Steel Fender Flare Regrets???? 20221023_180757
Pretty sure (IMO) those are the best looking plastic fenders available.
 
OP
OP
rkwfxd

rkwfxd

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rich
Joined
May 24, 2021
Threads
37
Messages
1,117
Reaction score
2,115
Location
Whittier
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLR, 2020 Tahoe 4x4, 2006 Tundra, 1990 964
Occupation
Unemployed
TJ front tube fenders replaced the existing metal where today it's metal flares using the same mount point the plastic flares use.
Great point.
 

Sponsored

The Chubbernaut

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2023
Threads
7
Messages
135
Reaction score
280
Location
Modesto, CA
Vehicle(s)
2018 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Occupation
Substance Abuse Counselor
Clubs
 
This is something I've been wondering as well. As much as I would like to replace the fenders for better clearance, I really dislike the look of thin or minimalist aftermarket flares.
 

Zandcwhite

Well-Known Member
First Name
Zach
Joined
Sep 4, 2019
Threads
10
Messages
4,249
Reaction score
7,579
Location
Patterson, ca
Vehicle(s)
2019 jlur
If you are going for tire coverage, plastic is probably the better option as contact with obstacles is likely. If you're running a minimal fender and a bunch of tire poke, I say go with whichever fender look you like the most. You'd have to try pretty hard to get into the fender and not the body at that point. Some budget steel fenders off amazon. The 38s did a great job of keeping the fenders off obstacles through dozens of trails including the Rubicon trail. Even the stock plastic fenders are bolted on and rigid enough to bend the fenders up front if you're bashing them into obstacles.
Jeep Wrangler JL Metal/Steel Fender Flare Regrets???? 20220624_111249
 

DWaX

Well-Known Member
First Name
D
Joined
Jun 7, 2018
Threads
1
Messages
184
Reaction score
533
Location
Wilmington, NC
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLUR
How do you like the fenders so far?
I have no complaints at all, they have been on since early September 2022, and been through all of Moab and Colorado. Tomorrow when sun is up, I'll send some better unwashed pictures, so you can see the plastic condition.

But overall they are great, lights have been 100% reliable, very bright and haven't turned yellow at all. More than I can say for the AAL high-lines.

WaX
 

BigBruse

Well-Known Member
First Name
Robbie
Joined
Apr 7, 2019
Threads
33
Messages
299
Reaction score
61
Location
Va
Vehicle(s)
2019 Jeep rubicon
I have no complaints at all, they have been on since early September 2022, and been through all of Moab and Colorado. Tomorrow when sun is up, I'll send some better unwashed pictures, so you can see the plastic condition.

But overall they are great, lights have been 100% reliable, very bright and haven't turned yellow at all. More than I can say for the AAL high-lines.

WaX
Awesome thanks! That’s exactly what I have on now and they are almost completely yellow
Sponsored

 
 



Top