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Opinions about fender flares

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by SirIsaac, Apr 26, 2005.

  1. Apr 26, 2005
    SirIsaac

    SirIsaac New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2004
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    2
    I have (well, to be honest, my wife has) a 68 CJ5 with 33" tires. The tires are sticking out a bit from the body, and I'd like to install some fender flares. Does anyone have any experience with them that they'd like to share? i.e. good brands, installation difficulties or things to watch out for?

    Currently, the jeep doesn't have ANY fender flares, and the tires stick out about 2" - 3" from the body. I like the looks of the Bushwacker 'cutout' flares, but don't know what all's involved in mounting them. I don't want to wreck the paint job, either. Any pointers? Thanks!
     
  2. Apr 26, 2005
    goober

    goober Banned

    central Pa
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    Mar 10, 2005
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    123
    after installing my lift and larger 33" tires mine stuck out about the same. i installed stock cj flares and it solved the problem, it looks stock but it really isn't since mine didn't have flares factory either. only took a drill and a screw driver.
     
  3. Apr 26, 2005
    michigan_pinstripes

    michigan_pinstripes I'm not lost, I'm wandering

    Clarkston MI...
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    Aug 20, 2003
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    605
    I have a brand new set of "Saddleman" (#41011-00 1955-75 CJ5 CJ6) that was an add-on accessory years ago. I doubt these are made anymore but I could be wrong. Really nice thick molded rubber.

    These identical pieces were also sold under a different brand name (possibly multiple) but use the same part numbering.

    No, these aren't for sale :rofl: Whole set for $40. 8)

    I also see alot on ebaY but the part number is often 8997109. Crown Automotive I think.
     
  4. Apr 26, 2005
    John A. Shows

    John A. Shows Comic Relief

    Mendenhall...
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    Sep 24, 2002
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    938
    Honestly...I like the looks of the old jeeps without flares. Check out Tim Harris's (53 flattie). But the flares make a huge difference in the mud slinging up into the cab department.

    I used the cheapo $60 set from 4WD Hardware. They're exact replicas of the factory flares that came on later CJs. 3" projection.

    Here's one point though...they're not flexible. I skidded mine against a dirt bank and it broke all to pieces. But...OTH they can be bought separately so about $20 and I replaced it.
     
  5. Apr 26, 2005
    Keno

    Keno 1970 CJ5 Dauntless, 31" B

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2005
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    I too bought a cheap set from JC whitney $64 dollars and had no problems putting them on. Drill and screw driver. They too are hard plastic but I think look good and prevent a lot of heart-ache after a hard day in the mud. :v6: :stout:
     
  6. Apr 26, 2005
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    I personally think the original replacement type are fugly... I had some on my '67... I got a set from a member here that I do like, and it turns out Whitney still sells them, they call them "mini flares".... They don't "close up" the wheel opening like the replacement type......
     
  7. Apr 26, 2005
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    Are the soft rubber ones available anywhere anymore? Seems like the only ones I can find have been the cheepie hard plastic ones.
     
  8. Apr 26, 2005
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    The flares I have now are hard plastic, but they seem fairly resilliant... Besides, I try to keep them off of trees and such.....
    I originally had some of the narrow (like 1 1/2") rubber flares, came in a roll. They looked ok, but started cracking after a few months, and didn't cover as well as the flares I have now......
     
  9. Apr 26, 2005
    OrangeCJ5

    OrangeCJ5 Sponsor

    Taylorsville, UT
    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2003
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    422
    I took the factory flares off the rear of my CJ5 to put on TJ Flares. If you want to spring for shipping you can have mine. They are soft, they aren't perfect but they are in good shape.
     
  10. Apr 26, 2005
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    Here's mine. You'll have to excuse the mud, I did a short ride after work yesterday....:D
     
  11. Apr 27, 2005
    schardein

    schardein Low Range Therapy

    Success, MO
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    I'd have to say I subscribe to the school that no flares look better, but my tires don't stick out either....and I dislike the "roller skates" look even more. I think the stockers on my CJ7 stick out 2 5/8".....I would go with the minimum stick out to cover the tires, regardless what the material was.
     
  12. Apr 27, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Hmm...you can still get those from Whitney? I wonder if this place is the supplier.

    SSDutch has the replacement types on it. I don't like the flat-spots for the front marker lights that aren't there, and how they close up the wheelwell like Patrick mentioned.

    I'd prefer no flares as well, but now the holes are all there....:rofl:
     
  13. Apr 27, 2005
    Mudweiserjeep

    Mudweiserjeep JEEP: Bouncy and Fun

    tipp city, ohio
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    Excuse the mud? It looks great. :D
     
  14. Apr 27, 2005
    Mudweiserjeep

    Mudweiserjeep JEEP: Bouncy and Fun

    tipp city, ohio
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    i had those same hard plastic type from JCW and they lasted very well.
     
  15. Apr 27, 2005
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    Those certainly look just like mine...... I've found fronts on ebay for cheap, but not rears..
     
  16. Apr 27, 2005
    73CJ89XJ

    73CJ89XJ Heeper

    York, PA
    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2005
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    I have some flexible rubber ones that fit perfectly. They're yours if you want them.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Apr 27, 2005
    jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    Nacogdoches,Texas
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    I too like the look of the older CJ's without flairs. But I also like big fat tires and when I went to 12.50s on 10 rims they covered me and my pasengers with mud. Bought a set of factory flaires from Rossier years ago. Solved my problem with the mud except when I was turning. But I had another problem that being they are indented for the factory side lights, since I don't have them on my early CJ they look like add on to me.
    Wish you could find them without the cutout.
     
  18. Apr 27, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    JD - see the link I posted earlier. No cutout.
     
  19. Apr 27, 2005
    jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    Nacogdoches,Texas
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    Yea saw that after I'd already said that, will check out
     
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