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Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery!

PyrPatriot

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So a few weeks ago, just as my 35s were installed, I was able to work out a deal for some Rubicon Fender Flare takeoffs for $250 with about a couple hours travel to get them. They didnt come with the parking lights and turn signals, liners, or any of the pushpins, but the fender clips were intact. The fender flare liners were about $100 and the pushpins and rivets were another $100. Considering the flares as a kit were $800, I was still ahead by $350. Liners took another 2 weeks to come in, plastic bits a week or so. I got everything in Monday and got around to it today.

I have zero experience with such things but I got the instructions and watched videos of others doing it. Results: not a perfect success.

I managed to get the old liner and fender flares out. All manner of dirt and rocks fell out as I yanked it free. A satisfying feeling. It was tough working with 35s in the wheel well but I dont have a garage and the surface was at a slight angle. I did try to raise up the front end to get the tire to droop like it does at tire changes, but it didnt. But everything came off. One big difference is that there are only 10mm bolts, not 2 8mm like instructions say.

So what was the surprise? An air intake!!!

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 41E6501D-AB1A-47B3-845C-FB3FD21D03A5


That’s right. Just behind the flare liner at the top of the tire is an air intake under the air filter box. At leas I think that is what it is. Looks like an air intake. The front end has an air inlet hole just to the left of when you face the passenger headlight, going to underneath the air box, which has holes in it’s bottom box housing, so I am fairly certain this is an air intake. This is concerning because if you go through water at speed the splash could reach up here. Seems like an odd place to put it.

Edit: not an air intake hole. I forgot this piece was shown in the Quadratec Rugged Ridge snorkle install


Moving on we can see some differences between the two flares. Noticeably the lamp bracket. Doesnt quite line up with all the holes like it does in the Sport Max Tow fender but the key bolts went in fine. I would say 80% fit, lamp and reflector look to fit the plastic the same, just had a couple extra screws left over that I couldn't get the lamp bracket hole to line up with the nut threads in the plastic. It’s going to be dark soon so I hurry up.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 76DEEF28-12D1-49B2-99CD-D1947DC81602


Fender flare clicks into place. Doesnt quiet fit though. Tire clearance looks great!

Sport S flares
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 3312192D-7CC1-4AF7-A8B0-D3A037A939E3


Rubicon flares

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! C62D6618-384F-4629-BD4C-5E868D9BF9CC


Liners did not go back on easy or properly. I was only able to put back 2 of the bolts I took out and the third the hole doesnt line up with the receiving threads, at all. So I only have 2 of the 5 bolts in. All of the push pins worked fine, but the rivets are not working with Quadratec’s recommended rivet tool.

Now the rub. I mean actual rub. Before there was no rubbing of the liner, or anything. Now af full turn there is audible flare rubbing. Will have to look at it closer tomorrow when it is light out.

Furthermore the flare doesnt go all the way in and there is a noticeable gap. Thankfully it didnt get wider while driving on the highway.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 947561ED-B2EF-4D3B-B1D3-37DE65995AD0


Driver side unmollested flare for comparison

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! B604177C-C86A-4BA6-94EC-CC7ADFC15EBB

Will re-assess tomorrow after work. I hope to get the rest installed asap as I have a big ride planned on Saturday
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PyrPatriot

PyrPatriot

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So apparently, and with the help of an outstanding member of one of the JT FB pages/groups with a shop in Cincinnati, the lighting mount bracket is different between the Sport S Max Tow fender flares and the Rubicon Fender Flairs. The lights are the same and fit, the bracket is different. The bracket for the Sport keeps the fender flare from fitting just right, close against the flare panel. And the Jeep dealership says there is not a separate bracket part number. I ended up taking it to a body shop and they said they could modify it a bit with a little cutting of the Sport bracket, which is keeping the flare from being able to attach to the fender. So, now I don't feel so bad because the shop has spent an hour trying to figure it out. But, I've negated almost all the savings from buying the takeoffs, ordering the liners and push pins. One of the risks of buying takeoffs/used. If I had known a bracket was even a difference there (I looked up parts diagrams before starting) I would have ordered them along with the liners. And ultimately I could have saved the $250 in installation costs and put that towards fender flare chop lights. Still ahead by $150 over buying new off Quadratec...yay...


Anyone have any advice for removing deep scuffs and scratches from the plastic?
 
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PyrPatriot

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Everything on. Thanks to Allan at Slingin Mud Offroad in Cincinnati for all the help and advice. He does a lot of these and knew all the issues with the lamp bracket. The shop I used had to do some modifications to the flare mounting but it works.
Before and after
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! F19E4ECE-8D16-45B0-A4F3-F4DFFE759356


Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 74833C38-4AF5-4442-AEE8-B33A7FB2C99D

Now, how do I deal with this?
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 192D823F-8CC0-4306-826E-E00539FEEFC7
 

Blade1668

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Thanks for the write up :like: good luck on fixing the scratches, I use a tire dressing on my plastic fenders to cover / protection from sun it doesn't fix scratches though. I've got scratches on mine already (rear) I need to try it on them. Not listed for that but I have been using it that way on my LJ and XJ for years. In fact I need to treat the LJ again. It's messy and sticky like thick oil. A big plus is mud don't stick with it freshly appled.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 15930225688824827015100342705079
 

kelkolb

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Did you do the rears also or just the fronts? I can't tell a difference in the rear between the before and after.
 

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Blade1668

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Photos of tire dressing after and before pic #3 is showing scratches on flare. You can decide if it's worth it. Not wanting to steal thread

15930237286215413119692135738725.jpg


15930237794461033197357634745180.jpg


15930238096511255238058998915274.jpg


15930238397703750943271914892298.jpg


1593023883153904793809980396204.jpg
 
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PyrPatriot

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Did you do the rears also or just the fronts? I can't tell a difference in the rear between the before and after.
Front and rear

better comparison

Old

55907676-2c2d-4e3c-9404-9dbcb838a034-jpeg.jpg



New
74833c38-4af5-4442-aee8-b33a7fb2c99d-jpeg.jpg


About a 2 inch higher and different curve profile
 
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PyrPatriot

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Photos of tire dressing after and before pic #3 is showing scratches on flare. You can decide if it's worth it. Not wanting to steal thread

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 74833c38-4af5-4442-aee8-b33a7fb2c99d-jpe


Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 74833c38-4af5-4442-aee8-b33a7fb2c99d-jpe


Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 74833c38-4af5-4442-aee8-b33a7fb2c99d-jpe


Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 74833c38-4af5-4442-aee8-b33a7fb2c99d-jpe


Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 74833c38-4af5-4442-aee8-b33a7fb2c99d-jpe
thanks! Worth a shot. I have also heard a heat gun and soft sanding will work
 

Blade1668

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Heat gun might be worth a shot might want to try on the ones you took off first? If I would have done the sanding method I wouldn't have any thing left after 15 years. :giggle: I only have 253273 miles on it :like:
 
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PyrPatriot

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Heat gun might be worth a shot might want to try on the ones you took off first? If I would have done the sanding method I wouldn't have any thing left after 15 years. :giggle: I only have 253273 miles on it :like:
It honestly does not bother me that much. If anything along with the dozens of pinstripes it helps me avoid the mall crawler status. What bothers me is that I didn't get them from trail damage
 

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kelkolb

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Front and rear

better comparison

Old

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 74833c38-4af5-4442-aee8-b33a7fb2c99d-jpe



New
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 74833c38-4af5-4442-aee8-b33a7fb2c99d-jpe


About a 2 inch higher and different curve profile
Wow, 2" is quite a bit. Good to know. This will definitely be on my list for when I move up to 37's
 
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PyrPatriot

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Wow, 2" is quite a bit. Good to know. This will definitely be on my list for when I move up to 37's
The 2” comes not just from the flare but how the liner sits. Though in my case because of the mods the passenger side liner isnt installed perfectly and I need to clip a corner to the flare itself as it keeps popping out from behind the flare and hitting the tire on fill driver-side turn
 

Blade1668

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I wish that the only damage was from trails.
Later down road I might do the front fender mod. I don't know about doing the rear yet.
If I had not just paid mine off I'd be on a road trip to Texas to pick up some Rubicon take off axles right now.
 

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Everything on. Thanks to Allan at Slingin Mud Offroad in Cincinnati for all the help and advice. He does a lot of these and knew all the issues with the lamp bracket. The shop I used had to do some modifications to the flare mounting but it works.
Before and after
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 74833c38-4af5-4442-aee8-b33a7fb2c99d-jpe


Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 74833c38-4af5-4442-aee8-b33a7fb2c99d-jpe

Now, how do I deal with this?
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Fender Flare Take-Offs Install Journey and Important Discovery! 74833c38-4af5-4442-aee8-b33a7fb2c99d-jpe
Did you measure the width before and after the install and was it the same or did you gain width. I have the Max Tow fenders and they have an extra lip to add to width in a few spots.
Thanks
 
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PyrPatriot

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Did you measure the width before and after the install and was it the same or did you gain width. I have the Max Tow fenders and they have an extra lip to add to width in a few spots.
Thanks
i did not measure it. But from how much the tire sticks out just a smidge, same width
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