- Location
- Reno, Nevada
I just added this article to my site. I thought you might also enjoy it here (also posted on JeepForum).
Evolution of Lower Quarter Panels
(and adding real corner protection)
8/11/06
As my Jeep has gotten bigger, I've had to make some modifications to the lower quarter panels behind the rear wheels. Some guys decide to leave them as is, others add protection over them, and others do the popular "cut and fold" mod. Sometimes the rear bumper plays a big part in what people choose to do back there, myself included. Well, after trying several different options on mine, I wasn't satisfied. I've always wanted that area to look good, and be strong, but I could never achieve both at the same time. But finally I just buckled down and got to work. The following is the "evolution" of what the rear corners of my Jeep were to what they are now.
This first photo is from back in 2002 when I first got my prized AEV rear bumper. The bumper's contours are the same as stock so this allowed me to keep the stock plastic end caps for the bumper. This was a good thing back then because I hadn't trimmed my fenders yet.
After moving up to 33's in 2004, the fenders were trimmed and I no longer wanted to use the stock end caps any more. At the time, this presented a big problem for me since leaving the bumper ends open just didn't look good to me. I decided to cover the lower corners with aluminum diamond plate covers from Rock Lizard Fabrications and fabricated the inner corner pieces (that attach to the bumper ends and the back of the Jeep) myself.
This looked very good and I even added a spot for my air hose quick coupling under the tail lights. While this looked great, it only lasted until I did my first trip through the Rubicon Trail. I knew that the aluminum guards wouldn't add a whole lot of protection, but I guess I really underestimated how weak the lower quarter panels really are. Compliments of the Rubicon:
Not knowing what to do from there I just left it like this for almost 2 years. With the Jeep now on 35" tires, I don't mind seeing a few battle scars here and there, but these dents just bugged me everytime I looked at them. I think its also because it shows how weak they were, as the dents seem to get bigger after each trail ride I did!
Evolution of Lower Quarter Panels
(and adding real corner protection)
8/11/06
As my Jeep has gotten bigger, I've had to make some modifications to the lower quarter panels behind the rear wheels. Some guys decide to leave them as is, others add protection over them, and others do the popular "cut and fold" mod. Sometimes the rear bumper plays a big part in what people choose to do back there, myself included. Well, after trying several different options on mine, I wasn't satisfied. I've always wanted that area to look good, and be strong, but I could never achieve both at the same time. But finally I just buckled down and got to work. The following is the "evolution" of what the rear corners of my Jeep were to what they are now.
This first photo is from back in 2002 when I first got my prized AEV rear bumper. The bumper's contours are the same as stock so this allowed me to keep the stock plastic end caps for the bumper. This was a good thing back then because I hadn't trimmed my fenders yet.
After moving up to 33's in 2004, the fenders were trimmed and I no longer wanted to use the stock end caps any more. At the time, this presented a big problem for me since leaving the bumper ends open just didn't look good to me. I decided to cover the lower corners with aluminum diamond plate covers from Rock Lizard Fabrications and fabricated the inner corner pieces (that attach to the bumper ends and the back of the Jeep) myself.
This looked very good and I even added a spot for my air hose quick coupling under the tail lights. While this looked great, it only lasted until I did my first trip through the Rubicon Trail. I knew that the aluminum guards wouldn't add a whole lot of protection, but I guess I really underestimated how weak the lower quarter panels really are. Compliments of the Rubicon:
Not knowing what to do from there I just left it like this for almost 2 years. With the Jeep now on 35" tires, I don't mind seeing a few battle scars here and there, but these dents just bugged me everytime I looked at them. I think its also because it shows how weak they were, as the dents seem to get bigger after each trail ride I did!