Metal fenders or “plastic”?

[Wat Dog]

I did bust my stock ones (3 out of 4 were popped out on the corners) so I went with KBD Body Kits plastic. I just did this last week so I can't comment on durability, but I did have to put in the resistors on for the marker/turn signals even though I set my Tazer to LED Side Markers. Install was remarkably easy due to the flexibility of the fender. I believe the flexibility will be their saving grace on the trails as well

The biggest thing i'm worried about is how they'll stand up to the Arizona heat and sun

(inners are being delivered today)

I like these but I wish they were a bit wider

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[Wat Dog]

Ditto. Sticking to the old Jeep moto of "Break it, upgrade it."

I broke it, hence the question

 

[Zero_Accel]

While they've had their teething issues, I LOVE my Rugged Ridge Max Terrain Flares.

Polypropylene, gave me 4 more inches of clearance, a set of plastic rear liners, and a slim marker light. Made a TON of room for the 37's, I was actually thinking of removing the bump stops to take advantage of the extra space, but I don't think my shocks would work with that.

They are 1 inch wider than stock, so I'm not sure if that would work for you, unless you want more offset on a new set of rims. I wrote about them here if you want to read up.

 

[same_O_G]

I broke it, hence the question

Haha, fair. I'm not sure if they make them for the JT, but I had Bushwhackers on my JK and liked them.

I'd vote for plastic. One thing I've always liked about Jeeps is that the fenders are kind of an intentional less expensive weak point, compared to almost all other vehicles. I'd much rather replace a plastic fender than drag an entire body panel of a conventional pickup truck against a rock or tree.

You could also probably pick up the set of used stock ones for pretty cheap.

 

[Zero_Accel]

Haha, fair. I'm not sure if they make them for the JT, but I had Bushwhackers on my JK and liked them.

I'd vote for plastic. One thing I've always liked about Jeeps is that the fenders are kind of an intentional less expensive weak point, compared to almost all other vehicles. I'd much rather replace a plastic fender than drag an entire body panel of a conventional pickup truck against a rock or tree.

You could also probably pick up the set of used stock ones for pretty cheap.

If you're talking about the plastic fenders with the LED that goes across the fender, the Rugged Ridge versions are already out for the JT, I have them.

Bushwacker was bought out by Truck Hero, who also owns Rugged Ridge. Most of the stuff they're making are just tweaked versions by RR, so their version should be out soon.

 

[gecko_rubi]

If you're talking about the plastic fenders with the LED that goes across the fender, the Rugged Ridge versions are already out for the JT, I have them.

Bushwacker was bought out by Truck Hero, who also owns Rugged Ridge. Most of the stuff they're making are just tweaked versions by RR, so their version should be out soon.

What’s the advantage of these over doing RR’s chop kit with the DRL’s (and keeping the stock liner) if you already have the Rubicon fenders? Seems like they aren’t an easy swap and would require modifications to the front liners.

 

[Zero_Accel]

What’s the advantage of these over doing RR’s chop kit with the DRL’s (and keeping the stock liner) if you already have the Rubicon fenders? Seems like they aren’t an easy swap and would require modifications to the front liners.

You get three more benefits from these fenders:

1: 1.5 additional inches of clearance vs the Rubicon fenders, 4 inches vs Sport fenders (pic is with a 2.5 inch lift w/ 37 inch tires.)

2: These flares are 1 inch wider than stock, giving you better coverage, especially if you have aftermarket wheels

3: These flares don't have the gap between the body of the truck and the fender flare, so rocks/tools/small animals no longer get stuck between the flare and the body, scratching up the paint.

As for the front liners, I bought Paramount plastic front fender liners to finish the look, Rugged Ridge provides only rear plastic liners for some reason.

I wouldn't call the install of these hard, you're just pulling plastic clips and putting in a few bolts, some really basic wiring (4 wires that clip into a plug, they give you pictures and instructions on which setup to use). It was just time consuming, especially since I'm finicky and kept trying to get the LED light lined up PERFECTLY. They're just a bit fiddly, especially the double sided tape, once I bought some better quality tape, that helped alot.

Either kit works, I've had both, although I definitely prefer the full flares vs the chop kit for the factory flares.

 

[same_O_G]

If you're talking about the plastic fenders with the LED that goes across the fender, the Rugged Ridge versions are already out for the JT, I have them.

Bushwacker was bought out by Truck Hero, who also owns Rugged Ridge. Most of the stuff they're making are just tweaked versions by RR, so their version should be out soon.

Nice. That looks really clean!

 

[XJFanatic]

I really like those RR fenders.

 

[Whitarmy]

I had bushwackers and aluminum fenders on my JKs. I went aluminum after the bushwackers because I hated how they looked after fading. I never had issues other than that (although my fenders never made contact with anything on the trails). I plan to stick with painted plastic fenders on the JT after seeing a metal fender pushed into the body rock crawling. Takes one more thing of my worry list hitting tight trails.

 

[HorneyBadger]

How fast are we talking? Like “don’t get stuck” fast or “I’m going to try to ski this thing” fast?

Yea, they were trying to airboat it across. 30 miles later the jeep died. Mud injection into the alternator and ran the battery out of juice. it was an expensive day for them. The engine compartment was a mudcake!

 

[jwolfejt]

Stock Rubicon flares freed up all kinds of room (especially up front). I think something around 2 1/4". This is on a BDS 2" Lift. Looks like I can comfortably run 37s now and not have to worry about slamming up against the fender - i didn't like most of the aftermarket stuff that is out there - also the rubicon flares are a bit wider than the non rubicon/mojave - which helps here since anything over 2" is illegal and I plan on going with 37s here very soon. It also just looks way more appropriate on our vehicles since it meets the hoodline perfectly.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

The reason I’m getting away from stock is that I messed 2 of them up petty badly and I have a High Altitude with painted fenders and no plastic trim piece to separate . Already have a lift and 35s so a little extra clearance won’t hurt. If I’m buying fenders I might as well upgrade. However I like the look of full width fenders to go with my full width bumper

Powder coating still pin stripes. Metal bends and doesn’t usually bend back the same.

Factory fenders are the best quality at the cheapest price (in my opinion)- ran painted cut fenders on the jk. Running painted factory fenders on this one. They are going to get scratched, so is the Jeep… do I try to keep it clean? For sure! But scratches are part of the game of taking them out. If the scratches bug me, I’ll take them in to get re-sprayed.

Thought about genright fenders for the jku- but I like when we slide off rocks and catch the fender I can replace $15 worth of clips and put them back on…… aluminum- I would be pissed that I just ripped a $500 fender off and likely jacked up the body panel at the same time.

 

[Wat Dog]

While the rugged ridge fenders look great, this is where I’m leaning

 

[TurboHarley]

Who makes those?

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