Tube Fenders

[Medsker]

Well I decided to tube fender my JK. These are the prototypes...I'll see how I like them and then make some changes if needed. I used the stock turn signals and just drilled then out and mounted them. They are made from 1.5" tubing and some thin sheet metal to keep the rocks from flipping up. I don't have the best welder right now(110 volt flux mig) so the welding isn't the best but the will hold together. When you pull the fenders off there is a bracket left over so I mounted them to there and then to the fender below. Also of note when I was working on them I had pulled the fender off completely and wanted to drive the Jeep while working on them so I just clipped the "outer" flare on with the clips that hook it to the sheet metal. I drove it like that for two days including wheeling and freeway and they held just fine. If people wanted to just ride around with the outer shell on and take it off when they wheel that is also an option (it comes off really easy). So after the babbling here are the pics.

Medsker

 

[camcruiser13]

not to bad

 

[Medsker]

not to bad

Thanks

 

[BlackSheep]

What's your plan on the rear lower part? right now the photos just show the two tubes ending. Same question for the front part. Will you make that curved, or straight? Looks pretty good right now, it seems to give a lot more tire clearance, but maybe that is an illusion.

 

[Medsker]

What's your plan on the rear lower part? right now the photos just show the two tubes ending. Same question for the front part. Will you make that curved, or straight? Looks pretty good right now, it seems to give a lot more tire clearance, but maybe that is an illusion.

I'm thinking I'll just finish the front and rear off with whatever skin I decide to use. Originally I welded tubing acrossed both places but neither my wife or I liked the look of that so I changed it. It does give it a lot more tire clearance. I didn't need a whole lot on the front but its nice to know I have it if I need it. I am hitting on the rear flares so when I get around to doing those it will be nice.

Medsker

 

[Badger]

i'm sorry but i guess i'm the one that is going to have to say it .............


they look like 4ss.did you hook them to something rigid enough to keep them from collapsing when weight is put on them?they just don't look right in anyway sorry

 

[Devel]

i'm sorry but i guess i'm the one that is going to have to say it .............


they look like 4ss.did you hook them to something rigid enough to keep them from collapsing when weight is put on them?they just don't look right in anyway sorry

i was wondering when you our Meat was gunna say something :greg:

 

[Medsker]

i'm sorry but i guess i'm the one that is going to have to say it .............


they look like 4ss.did you hook them to something rigid enough to keep them from collapsing when weight is put on them?they just don't look right in anyway sorry

Everyone has an opinion. I'm about 70/30 right now myself. 70% of the time I think they look all right but need skins on the top and 30% of the time I try to come up with a different design. I guess the nice thing is I'm not in these that much so if I think of something better I can just build it and try it out. As far as ridgidity and strength goes they are much stronger then the stock ones. They will easily handle rubbing into rocks, dirt, trees, etc. They probably won't survive a rollover but then neither would the stock.

 

[CJJ92yj]

Just my opinion, since everyone has one. I think it would look better skinned on the outside (top) and a return bar at the front and bottom connecting the inner and outter bars together. It's got potential. :greg:

 

[Medsker]

Just my opinion, since everyone has one. I think it would look better skinned on the outside (top) and a return bar at the front and bottom connecting the inner and outter bars together. It's got potential. :greg:

When I first was tacking it all together I had return bars like you suggest and hung it up and my wife and I were both staring at it and both agreed we didn't like it. This was when we were still debating on skinning the top or not. If we skin the top I think you may be right that the ends need connecting. I think at this point I need to figure out what I want to skin them with and then go from there.

Medsker

 

[Medsker]

Here are a couple of pics with a skin on top





Medsker

 

[BlackSheep]

definitely looks better with the skins on top.

 

[Medsker]

Thanks, I think so too.

 

[camcruiser13]

i agree with the skins on top

 

[JackKeslerCustoms]

Did you leave the metal on the bottom? If the tops are skinned your going to want to leave the bottoms open, and Seam Seal the under side of the skins. They will rust on the seams the first time they get wet, it is very difficult to get them covered when you finish them. Having them open so that you can clean them is the best thing for the bottom side. Also across the top it is time consuming but you can weld the skins from the outside and make a perfectly smooth transition to the tubing. And then if they turn out like mine, you'll finish them, take them to Moab, get your picture in JP, and then roll it at little moab a month later and have to hack one of them off, and just wheel it like that ever since.

 

[JackKeslerCustoms]

I don't know how to link it but I just bumped the trip report of that little moab trip on the trip reports to the top, of course by the time you see these the fenders are already hammered.

 

[Badger]

you amaze me with that Jeep and how it continues to run....


the wheel stand

the damage

the later damage

 

[JackKeslerCustoms]

Takes a Lickin....

 

[Medsker]

The top is actually plastic. I left the bottom metal on for now but it would be easy to pull out. I filled in between with expandable foam and then sealed the seams up. I eventually want to use some type of metal on the top but it wasn't in the budget right now. When it is in the budget I'll probably pull the whole thing apart and connect it to the rocker guards and then weld the skin on top like you did. Only time will tell. A Jeep is an ever changing thing

 

[JackKeslerCustoms]

A Jeep is an ever changing thing

Amen brother.