TJ flares on a YJ

[jeepfan555]

I have a 95 YJ and my fenders are wearing away a little from my tires hitting them everyonce in a while, so I remember hearing that some of you guys put on the TJ flares for additional clearance. So what I'm wondering is what is involved in doing this, how are they attacted and are they jeep brand? I guess the last question is, is there any other type of flare I could use to get more clearance?

 

[Junkpile]

The TJ flares are a great way to get extra clearance on a CJ or YJ. Just get a set of flares, cut the rib off the back so they sit flat against your body and trace the outline of the flare opening on the body with a grease pencil or some chalk. Break out the sawzall and get crazy! There are some interference problems at the front of the rear wheewells, so the rear flares have to be positioned so you won't cut into the interior. Some inner front fender modifications are necessary, but they become obvious once you lay out the flares position on the fender. People sell the factory flares cheap after they sun fade from black to gray, just heat gun them until they turn black again and they look great. I got my last set for $60, with fasteners. Just do a search on Google for something like "TJ flares CJ" for some links to good info and pictures.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

I put stock TJ flares on my '95 YJ. You'll have to remove the rear wheelwell liners, they won't be reused. Cut the studs off the back of the TJ flares, but I left the lip on the inside.

Tape the fenders up with masking tape, clamp the flare in place, and mark with a marker. I cut mine with a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade, worked good.

Position the rear flare so the front of the flare is almost flush with the inside of the wheelwell, and the rear is positioned so you barely miss the fender brace ahead of the taillight.

Position the front flare so the rear of the flare is flush with the rear of the inside of the fender. You'll have to cut about 1.5" off the very front of the flare to match the YJ fender. The top of the front flare is almost flush with the top of the YJ fender.

http://www.bc4x4.com/pv/yj/tjflares/default.cfm
http://jeepskate.4x4.org/Flares.htm
http://www.idaho4x4.com/rockhopper/flares.asp

 

[Snitty]

until you get the tj flares... you can cut the stock yj flares at the line... i used metal snips and had no problem whatsoever.. clean cut, not one person has ever noticed... all they noticed was the clearance... "did you lift your jeep?"

 

[Junkpile]

Jeepfan555-- Are you hitting metal or just rubbing the flares? If you are just hitting the flares at full susp compression, I would just trim the factory flares some like Snitty said. That looks really good in my opinion.
The TJ flares become effective when you have tires that have an actual height larger than 32" and clearance is limited. The round part of the rear wheel opening on a CJ or YJ is around 32" in diameter, so a larger tire won't physically fit into the opening and you end up bending the body at the lower corners of the wheel openings at full flex. To install the TJ flares you have to cut the body because the TJ has larger rear wheel openings. Lots more clearance for stuffing a set of 35s or 36s. In the front, the TJ flares make life a little easier with a shackle reversal and big tires because it removes so much metal behind the front tire which is where you usually hit first.

 

[BakedAlaskan]

I put a set on my 86 CJ7 and they worked awesome. I had to trim the back of the front inner fender well to clear my 33's at full stuff. But a mere 1 1/2 to 2 inches of lift and they cleared perfectly.

I bought mine from the dealer and spent over $350 before the flares could be found anywhere. I have seen in Quadratec they have factory replacment flares for $99 for a set. On the CJ the front of the flare didn't quite match up with the curve on the front of the fender. But since I herculined the nose a little bondo smoothed it out and looked flat kick A$$.

You do have to be brave with the sawsall but it's easy and worth it.

 

[TwistedCU]

Junkpile, Snitty-

Either of you guys have a picture of the trimmed YJ flares?

-TC

 

[Snitty]

nothing up close, but these are trimmed, i should have taken a few pics upclose after i did it, but this give you an idea of the clearance... 31" tires, almost drag slicks, bald as a babies rump

the top pic doesn't show the clearance in the back too well... driver side rear tire is in a hole, making it look lower in the back