Time for some fender flares

[steveg0690]

I decided to start working on my over sized fender flares today. I am going to make these easily removable. I only want them to keep the jeep street-able and inspected.

As you can see, the tires stick out just a bit.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/S5000403.jpg


Here is what I have formed so far. I will be making these out of fiberglass.


http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/S5000401.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/S5000398.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/S5000399.jpg


Any opinions? Comments? I'm always open to suggestions.

Also, if anyone is interested, I'm going to sell the 6" pocket flares that I have/had on the jeep.

[limegreentj]

thats cool as shit man...how are you gonna make them quick removeable?

[steveg0690]

thats cool as shit man...how are you gonna make them quick removeable?

I'm thinking about putting stud on them and using wing nuts.

[limegreentj]

that would be cool, or use some type of clip/clamp system, but studs and wing nuts would be the easiest

[tjblair]

looks good, I don't think that they will be legal though. unless somthing has changed you can't have more that a 3in flare.

[steveg0690]

Most inspection places don't really look at that for jeeps. Hell they passed it with the 6" flares that were on it. Hopefully when I'm done these will blend fairly well into the body itself and just look like large fenders.

[tjblair]

My worry would not be the inspection mechanic. I would worry more about the state cop that is board and has nothing better to do than hastle people for BS. They look good though I cant wait to see them finished.

[steveg0690]

I don't plan on driving this thing much. Just too and from the woods and a joy ride here and there, the cops won't be seeing it everyday.

I just got started forming the pass side front. There is a long way to go on these. I've never tried working with fiberglass on this scale.

[steveg0690]

Finished mocking up the other flares last night. I need to do some "molding" to the fronts of the front flares with some foam still. Pretty soon it'll be time for some fiberglass.

The old flares are off if anyone is interested. I could really use the cash to help with building these. Make an offer if you want them.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/S5000407.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/S5000408.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/S5000410.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/S5000412.jpg

[limegreentj]

i dig those man! they look good...i really hope the local law/inspections doesnt give you a hard time

[OverkillZJ]

Looks really good! I'm temped by the old ones your selling, need to see if I an make them work out on the Samurai.

[steveg0690]

Looks really good! I'm temped by the old ones your selling, need to see if I an make them work out on the Samurai.

The rears wouldn't be hard to make work, I'm sure you could get the front to work with some trimming. Let me know if you want to give them a try.

[steveg0690]

Making some progress on my flares...I managed to find some better fiberglass mat today and gave it a try.

I had to use foam blocks to mold the front.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/S5000424.jpg

Then I covered the entire form with Duct tape, and wiped it down with cooking spray.

This was my first attempt with the loose fiberglass mat.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/S5000423.jpg

Here is what the first one looks like so far, I have to do some body work to it still and I think I'm going to go for another layer or 2 for strength.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/S5000413.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/S5000415.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/S5000417.jpg

Here is what the loose mat looks like.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/S5000421.jpg

Here is what I picked up today to try.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/S5000422.jpg

This mat "wet out" a lot easier and more evenly. It was a lot easier to work with and should be stronger.

Let me know what you think.

[Krod]

Brace the insides if you plan on highway speeds.

Other than that, they're actually growing on me! Good solution, and it looks like they're coming out cleanly.

[steveg0690]

Brace the insides if you plan on highway speeds.

Other than that, they're actually growing on me! Good solution, and it looks like they're coming out cleanly.

They are turning out impressively strong, I was going to put steel bracing inside for the highway, but a couple more coats of glass and I think they will be more than strong enough. I'll let you know after the next coats if I will be using any other type of supports/braces.

[Krod]

They are turning out impressively strong, I was going to put steel bracing inside for the highway, but a couple more coats of glass and I think they will be more than strong enough. I'll let you know after the next coats if I will be using any other type of supports/braces.

Sorry, I meant where the flares mount to the fenders! The flares themselves look plenty strong, but with that much surface area I'd be afraid of the mounting hardware ripping through the flares and trying to fly away lol.

Maybe glass in some washers where you plan to run the stud through.

[justin'sbig7]

your glass work is very impressive! i wish i had the patience to do that.

[village_idiot]

hmm, makes me want to give glassin a try this summer. i like.

[cityslicker]

wow, thats really cool. how does that work?
does it just kinda glue together?
shit you could make anything with that stuff huh...

[steveg0690]

it's a little bit more complicated than that, but yes, you could build just about anything with it.

[steveg0690]

No pics today....

I made some more progress, I have both of the front flares both made and started sanding and body work on the first one. I also have the first layer of fiberglass done on each of the rear flares, still 4 more layers on those to go.

This shit is time consuming.......

[steveg0690]

your glass work is very impressive! i wish i had the patience to do that.

I'm starting to run out of patience. Visualizing the end result is the only thing that keeps me going.

[limegreentj]

/\ i know the feeling...haha...i want pix dammit!

[steveg0690]

I'm back! I know it's been a while since I've been on. It's also been a while since I've had some time to work on my Jeep.

Flares are complete.

Here are some more progress pics.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/GEDC0947.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/GEDC0948.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/GEDC0945.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/GEDC0955.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/steveg0690/GEDC0944.jpg

They are not "perfect" but they will do the job nicely. Completely custom made 10" wide fender flares. (more like fenders rather than flares) Made with fiberglass and coated with spray on truck bed liner.

I will not install these onto the Jeep until it is completed. The Jeep has a paint job on it's way.

What do you think?