Flat fenders V1.0 (DONE w/PICS!!!)

durangotang · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:42 pm

OK so I finally decided to get off of my lazy @$$ and see how the KJ does with some flat fenders. This is my second attempt at finding a deign that will work. The first ones I made were a very traditional angular model that just didn't work with the curvy KJ. So this time I'm going about with a very curvy design and trying to have it match the contour of the KJ....

This is just a mockup that I am doing out of materials that are easy to work with.... if I like it when it's done then I will go and weld up a sturdier version. Any feedback and design noted you guys have would be greatly appreciated.

The bumper obviously doesn't fit in with the fenders and that will be something to figure out later.

I'll tell you guys that I am sick of these compound curves!!

:roll:

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:50 pm

Man, I hope you come up with something. It looks like you got something going there. Keep working with it.
I know what you mean about the freaking curves. I was trying to come up with something and gave up because NOTHING came out rite.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:56 pm

Great start! I know I have looked, measured , looked some more and what ever I come up with that looks good in one area in another its not right. I need to find some more junk conduit to play with.

riptricket · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:56 pm

looks different, but cool different!
i like it!

durangotang · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:10 pm

OK so it started getting cold outside so I am calling it a day.

Here's what we have thus far (and honestly they are surprisingly sturdy)

You still can't see them from the driver's seat but they are looking pretty cool....

And now for the clearance measurements:

Stock

New fenders

So maybe tomorrow I will start attaching this stuff permanently and start forming some sheet metal on this thing

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:15 pm

so how will you cover the fender that you can see back there? Cant wait to see how it comes out. I think the rear maybe a little easier although its two pieces

durangotang · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:20 pm

Quote:

so how will you cover the fender that you can see back there?

I actually haven't decided... you can trim the inner fender liner back a littleso that it's out of the way and it will take care of the wheel
well.... I may just spray some bedliner stuff on that area so it isn't as noticeable... still trying to figure that out

Rush345 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:48 pm

Looks sweet I do admire your work, are you going to run the sheet metal down the front to the turn signal. Are you dgoing to use an English Wheel or just the sand bag and pound technique?? I ask only because I've always been a paint and finish man never a metal worker, although I have always wanted to learn nthe English wheel and welding to round out my knowledge base. I look forward to seeing your progress.

durangotang · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:27 pm

Sorry to disappoint but there won't be anything fancy about the way I am getting the sheet metal on there. I am basically test-fitting some cardboard to get the stencil of what needs to be cut then heating and wrapping (see: bashing the crap out of) the edges of the metal around some 3/4" round stock to get the desired contours.

Then it gets attached.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:33 pm

Hey thats the way I did the roll pans on my 49 Ford, cut/trim/fit/cut some more/ spot weld it on, next piece etc.
We are waiting :wink:

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

Great project! I didn't think flat fenders would fit a KJ because of all the curves but I like where yours is headed!

dloc_jeep_KJ · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:37 pm

hows this to tie it into the fender? u could have just made the bend there from the start o thinkg and made it work with the bumper. u can always bend this and weld it on though. looks good i was thinking about doing something like that at some point put have to much other crap going on right now.

durangotang · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:47 pm

I absolutely see where you are coming from with that... but in this case I don't want it to match the bumper. I am trying to see if there is a way I can replicate the old "flat fender" and still make it match up to the body of the KJ. I like the idea of a throwback to the style that doesn't curve back down in the front. After these are complete I will see if I can narrow the front bumper some to complete the look.

I did realize that it would have been easier to just replace to flares for more clearance... I just like the look of the old-school Jeeps and was hoping to incorporate that into this one.

[edit: I actually meant that I want to narrow the front bumper SKIN.... by no means do we need our actual bumper to be smaller haha]

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:01 am

Two thumbs up. I applaud your effort.

Burchie · **Posted:** Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:38 am

durangotang wrote:

OK so it started getting cold outside so I am calling it a day.

Started getting cold outside? What, in November? :lol:

Your nuts to be working outside like that. It was 50 this morning and I had a hooded sweatshirt, jacket, gloves and neck thing on and I was freezing. :oops:

Here's to you!!! Great work, and it looks good. :!:

I guess you don't need a cooler for your beer. :roll:

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:48 am

Take the plastic wheel liner out and pitch it!

Terry

meh_kick · **Posted:** Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:25 am

durangotang wrote:

I absolutely see where you are coming from with that... but in this case I don't want it to match the bumper. I am trying to see if there is a way I can replicate the old "flat fender" and still make it match up to the body of the KJ. I like the idea of a throwback to the style that doesn't curve back down in the front. After these are complete I will see if I can narrow the front bumper some to complete the look.

I did realize that it would have been easier to just replace to flares for more clearance... I just like the look of the old-school Jeeps and was hoping to incorporate that into this one.

[edit: I actually meant that I want to narrow the front bumper SKIN.... by no means do we need our actual bumper to be smaller haha]

Freakin A. I love that you're starting this project. It will look great with the "open" look of that 2a.

meh_kick · **Posted:** Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:42 am

I always wondered what a bumper cut here would look like. It'd be a little tricky relocating the turnsignals (and fogs for the 02-04s) but cool none-the-less.

06LIB · **Posted:** Fri Mar 07, 2008 2:45 pm

looks good. keep it up
As for cutting the front bumper, just a though but I think it would cost a ton less to have a new front bumper made that it not as wide as a full size bumper replacement because of not having to duplicate all the crazy angles associated with getting a steel bumper to fit the corners well. I think thats where jhcrash and rocklizard and trailready have spent to much time fabbing. Seems to me if they only had to make a bumper that is only 2/3 the width of the factory and not have to recreate the ends of the bumper it would be cheaper and lighter for shipping. So less expensive all around. BUT then again that idea will only work with the new flat fenders your making .....so keep it up!!

durangotang · **Posted:** Fri Mar 07, 2008 10:38 pm

No chance to work on the fender today... but these were my thoughts on the front bumper. If anyone else has other ideas let me know.

Flat fenders V1.0 (DONE w/PICS!!!)

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