Interesting fender liner damage and repair

[4S50]

I was driving my 2020 JT at 80+ mph into a stiff headwind for over an hour and when I pulled off of the freeway I heard a grinding sound. I found that the passenger side front fender liner had flipped out and was over the front tire. A section of the inner fender had ground off and was dangling, so I cut it off. I put the fender liner back into place, missing a significant portion, and drove home.
I checked with a friend who has a shop doing a lot of Gladiator axle upgrades and he had some new take off fender liners. He sent me one, and it is interesting.
The new one is slightly heavier material and is marked with a manufacture date of 12-apr-2021 and marked ‘JL military arch liner RH’, part 05043154ab. My original was dated 18-oct-2019, ‘wheel liner rubicon ret rt’, part 68299170ab.
if anyone is looking to repair their fender liners I recommend the military version, it is improved over the Rubicon spec.

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[JeepOfTheseus]

Not sure why it flipped/folded but I noticed the plastic rivets that are supposed to secure this in do a horrible job. As in, most of them weren’t even holding the fender in.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

Aluminum fender liners are your friend

 

[Mjolnir]

This was an issue initially and there is a TSB for them. I think the liners were replaced with ones that were more rigid so this wouldn't happen. But I agree with Joyride, AL liners are much more superior.

 

[4S50]

I was unable to find any aluminum liners that work with the stock fenders, can you point me to them?

 

[Sportsbiz]

I had the same happen to my JTR, and replaced them with ACE Engineering aluminum fender liners.

 

[LostWoods]

I was unable to find any aluminum liners that work with the stock fenders, can you point me to them?

ACE Engineering do according to their product photos. I've been looking for the same because I forgot the front push clip after doing some work and the wind tore the liner.

Flipping through my bookmarks I think Motobilt would as well.

 

[Mjolnir]

ACE Engineering do according to their product photos. I've been looking for the same because I forgot the front push clip after doing some work and the wind tore the liner.

Flipping through my bookmarks I think Motobilt would as well.

This.

Metalcloak ones also fit stock fenders. I can only comment on these as it is what I run.

 

[Mouse]

Well documented issue on the '20 model. I added a small bracket with a plastic retainer to the aft side of the front tire and it significantly tightened up the inner liner. No more flopping around on mine, even with the thinner plastic. The bracket looks factory

 

[LostWoods]

This.

Metalcloak ones also fit stock fenders. I can only comment on these as it is what I run.

Don't they require a bracket that uses the upper fender holes? Can't really tell from their info since they install with their fenders.

 

[heftysmurf]

ACE Engineering do according to their product photos. I've been looking for the same because I forgot the front push clip after doing some work and the wind tore the liner.

Flipping through my bookmarks I think Motobilt would as well.

Be careful. They sold their assets to Steinjager on June 4 and 3 days prior I asked if lead times on their site were correct (5-6 weeks). Tomorrow makes week 9 and crickets from Steinjager Since the cats at Aceturned their emails over to them, as well.

 

[LostWoods]

Be careful. They sold their assets to Steinjager on June 4 and 3 days prior I asked if lead times on their site were correct (5-6 weeks). Tomorrow makes week 9 and crickets from Steinjager Since the cats at Aceturned their emails over to them, as well.

Good to know. To be honest I want something more full coverage anyway so I think Motobilt is my top contender.

 

[Mjolnir]

Don't they require a bracket that uses the upper fender holes? Can't really tell from their info since they install with their fenders.

There is deff a bracket, unsure if the liners need it or not as I placed both the fenders and the liners on at the same time.

 

[JCHGlad]

I had the same happen to my JTR, and replaced them with ACE Engineering aluminum fender liners.

I wanted to buy those, but was concerned they leave a lot exposed abs might look generally unfinished, are you happy with them?

 

[Sportsbiz]

I wanted to buy those, but was concerned they leave a lot exposed abs might look generally unfinished, are you happy with them?

They do in fact leave quite a bit more exposed than the stock fender liners, but I've had no issues in nearly a year of having them. And I live in the desert, which includes a lot of desert running in Anza Borrego, Joshua Tree, etc. Very happy with them, but their recent sale and reported lack of customer service would give me pause if I had to buy today.

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