KJWildman's Steel Tube Flat Fenders

KJWildman · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:19 pm

Okay, so I got the wheelwells about where I want them but now I don't like the way the plastic fenders are going to look after I trim them back for my tires. So I went back and looked again at Durangotangs "flat fenders" from a couple years ago. I am going to attempt my take on this same idea.
I started on the passenger side yesterday. I laid out the fender on the bench and stared for awhile then turned it 90 and stared some more. Then I took it back out to the Jeep, held it up and stared again, back inside, on the bench, stare some more. (This went on for awhile :lol:

)

I cut some 3" long pieces of 3/4 x 1/8 Flat CRS and started laying them out along the mating surface. One end of each piece was cut at a slight angle to follow the curves of the factory flare.

Then I started welding the pieces one by one to each other

I took a longer piece about 14" and slowly bent it to match the lower part of the fender at the rear and welded it to the rest of the pieces.

I then marked and drilled the holes where the stock clips go to match up to the main fender panel. I have access to and spot welded weld studs thru this piece and will be able to actually bolt these fenders on and off.

That's it for now, but it's a start. I have the main piece that bolts to the body done for the passenger side. Now I just have to work my way out from there.

501 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 11:36 pm

Can't wait to see where this goes Larry!

stumpjumper_09 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 26, 2010 12:20 am

NEED INPUT!!! :shock:

2JeepFamily · **Posted:** Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:52 am

looks good, how did you go with the distortion of welding all those pieces together? maybe just another thought
but years ago I use to bend 25x25mm (inch x inch) thin wall RHS (box section) in a pipebender with a flat die or
a 2 inch one that was beat up, if the flat bar doesn't work maybe give that a go along the fender.
I enjoyed watching the clearancing and this will be worth looking out for too I think.

Boiler · **Posted:** Fri Feb 26, 2010 4:24 am

Refresh my memory, this all started because you got the wrong size tires?

:ROTFL:

Least you are expending some creative energy, you don't want that stuff to back up on ya.

KJWildman · **Posted:** Fri Feb 26, 2010 12:26 pm

[quote="Boiler"]Refresh my memory, this all started because you got the wrong size tires?
[quote]

kindof. that kinda started it, but then I heard " you can't " :shock:

That's a sort of challenge to me. Once someone says it can't be done my mind goes to work. I'm sure you are sort of the same way Boiler. :lol:

The only problem is that every modification exposes another weak link in the chain. So it will never stop, once I get these then it will be something else!! :JEEPIN:

Stay tuned :SOMBRERO:

STINGN · **Posted:** Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:54 pm

it will look good in the end, all thanks to those darn tires

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:59 pm

Tuning in

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 26, 2010 6:28 pm

im petitioning to have your username changed to 'Larry 'Wildman' Waller'

kskj · **Posted:** Fri Feb 26, 2010 6:43 pm

Looking good I like seeing someone try something that others think can't be done.

yodejt02 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 26, 2010 6:55 pm

JeepinJarhead03 wrote:

im petitioning to have your username changed to 'Larry 'Wildman' Waller'

I second this motion, and call for a vote!

stumpjumper_09 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 26, 2010 7:02 pm

herr-rumph

KJWildman · **Posted:** Sat Feb 27, 2010 3:33 pm

Worked on them some more this morning. Got some tubing bent up to form the outside edge. Slow process and like has been said before on other posts, " dang compound curves on this KJ suck!!" :banghead:

I used the factory flare and just kept bending small amounts at a time until I thought I had it where I wanted it then started some tack welds for a trial fit.

I didn't really like how they stuck out at the rear of the wheelwell.

Once I got the relationship of the fender to flare right they are looking a little better to me. The KJ's nose tapers in so far I had to try a couple times, cutting and retacking, but I'm LIKIN' IT!!!

These last 2 shots show how much wider my flares will be over stock. I will end up with about 1-1/2" wider flares all the way around.

Because I had to cut these apart and retack and reshape them a half dozen times they are already not quite fitting the way they did at first. So I'll just use these as prototypes and once I get them the way I like, then I'll remake them according to the final measurements.

BugginKJ · **Joined:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:35 pm **Posts:** 4576

I am really liking where you are going with this Larry

. I can see the pics better now that they are on the pc :SOMBRERO:

How are ya going to finish off the bottom part of it at the door? Curve it in like the top at the bumper or bring it in at a slight angle?
Like we said earlier today, this all started because the incorrect tire size was sent to ya??!?!?! What would happen if I buy ya a big block air cleaner.......................... :ROTFL:

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Sat Feb 27, 2010 6:22 pm

2nd group of pictures...the 4th. picture: Follow the line of the fender down and cut off the bumper. Then bring your flair straight forward from the top line and just end it there. You would have all of the tire open that way. :twisted:

Terry

KJWildman · **Posted:** Sun Feb 28, 2010 1:21 am

Fulltimer wrote:

2nd group of pictures...the 4th. picture: Follow the line of the fender down and cut off the bumper. Then bring your flair straight forward from the top line and just end it there. You would have all of the tire open that way. :twisted:

Terry

CUT-OFF THE BUMPER? !!!!! Are you crazy? I'm not cuttin on my Je....... oh... wait, too late :lol:

I think I see where you are talking about. Maybe.... I have to stand and stare at it somemore

I kinda like where I'm headed right now tho'. I'm trying to get some steel fenders that follow the original lines but still open it up some. I'll have to see. Never hurts to have input, more than one way of doing anything :wink

BugginKJ: DON'T YOU DARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :goink:

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun Feb 28, 2010 1:27 am

Wildman

KJWildman · **Posted:** Sun Feb 28, 2010 1:32 am

Thanks for the help Digger :BANANA:

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun Feb 28, 2010 1:35 am

No prob

DirtyKK · **Posted:** Sun Feb 28, 2010 2:19 am

nice progress. im not fond of how wide they are but it is your design. i just think itll look off with wide arse fenders in the front only...

KJWildman's Steel Tube Flat Fenders

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