rear fenders

[swany]

ok, i tried serching but never found the answer to my question which is, when trimming the rear fenders, people say not to go beond the little dimples right but that looks like it will only let you cut 1/2" off and i am going to cut 2 3/4" off the front. why cant you go beond the dimples??? the bushwackers look like they cut further past the dimples. please someone explain . :confused1

[90exjay]

try this write up,i cut past the pinch seam on mine,just have to seal the gap between the two metal panels after your done.



http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=90022&highlight=fender+cut

[Chero-King]

the little dimples are pinch welds, If you go past them, the inner fender and outer fender separate leaving a gapeing hole for dirt and water to get into. You can cut past, you just have to make relief cuts and bend it in.

[swany]

oh relief cuts i didnt think of that can i just cut and bend the dimple section and remove the rest from dimple to dimple or do i need to cut and bend the whole fender?

[Menzenski]

Cut off the outer lip (about 1/2" worth) of the fender, and then cut slots inwards from the new edge. Don't cut through the pinch welds (dimples); I marked the welds with a black Sharpie marker before cutting, just to be safe. Make more cuts in the corners for a cleaner end result. Then just grab a hammer and pound all the 'flaps' over.

This is my finished fender (31" tires and 2" of lift):

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/platinumkow/Trimmed%20Fenders/271_7164.jpg

Here's a closeup of the folded-over flaps:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/platinumkow/Trimmed%20Fenders/271_7161.jpg

After folding everything over, I covered all the flaps with brush-on factory-style seam sealer, and then Herculined over the edge of the fender.

[GottaBeJeep]

http://www.rocklizardfabrications.com/fender_trimming.htm

That is my tech article on fender trimming. The cut and fold method works, but personally, I think it looks like crap (leaves a rough uneven edge and warps the rear quarter) and is overkill for anything under 35's. I'm running 35's under 5" of lift, and have not cut past the pinch seams in the back.

http://www.rocklizardfabrications.com/100_2857.jpg

[teamair2k2]

What is the best tool to use for a clean cut?

[Starboard M]

The rear fenders of a Cherokee are part of the unibody. If you cut past that pinch seam, you are weakening the body. It might not be a lot, and it might not cause a lot of problems, but you are affecting the strengh of it. The cut and seam method will give you more room, and sometimes keep mud and water out of it, but it is not the right way to do it IMO. I did the cut and fold method first, and it worked for a bit, but I was even rubbing it with 32s. I knew I was going to be stepping up to 35s so I cut and welded the back. So if you cut and dont reattatch it somehow, it will fold like a taco:confused1
The cut and fold. Looks bad here becuase its not hit all the way into the fender well, and its not painted. It looked a lot better once done all the way, especially from beside the jeep.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/StarboardM/Picture144.jpg

Folded with 32s
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/StarboardM/Stroker001.jpg

Folded and flexed on 32s and then 35s
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/StarboardM/Picture047.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/StarboardM/Picture092.jpg

This is cut and welded on 35s. I took off about 3'' or more. I was rubbing on the top of the fender untill my limiting strap broke, so that will give you some idea about how much you really have to cut.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/StarboardM/Picture029.jpg

So much for having sized pics. My bad

[94_2wdcherokee]

the easiest way is to cut it with a sawzall. When i cut my fenders i cut some relief cuts in the fender and folded the little tabs back into the fenderwell it looks great but you will have to go back every month or so and make sure they are still folded up because they can and will slice your tire open.....i know from experience