I am starting the project of going to 1 tons front and rear and I am at the planning stages of tire size. The xj limitation is the size of the rear wheel wells. I think I just need to bite the bullet and come to terms that I am going to have to cut past the pinch seems. I am looking for ideas and pictures of those that have built custom rear fenders. Thanks all.

ive actually been thinking about the same thing. im not goin to 1 tons, but am slipping in a ford 9 from an early bronco. i also like things to sit LOW so its gettin about 4 inches of lift all the way around with 35s. im also planning on turning the rear springs around, to gain about 5 inches of wheelbase. im thinking about building some "tubbed" style wheelwells, weld those in then then cut everything else out. but only after everything is caged. ive been asking on the naxja board and noone really has a lot of ideas. post up pics if you find some or if you go ahead and do yours.

wes

I can snap a few pics later on if you want, but I trimmed my rear fenders and am running no flares right now. Are you wanting to run flares? If that's the case, I'm not going to be of much help. If you want pics of how I cut my rear fenders, I might be a little bit of help.

You can technically comp cut your rears like a wrangler, with a fuel cell. get a star and search on here. There is a guy who did it recently. Had about 4 inches of lift and 37s. On http://www.naxja.org there are guys with 3.5 lifts and 35s and you can search for free.

Not sure how much you have trimmed but would like pics if you have available. I have mine cut at the pinch seems and then folded up. Running 34's with about 5 inches of lift. Saw one picture on xjdb that gave me some ideas. I came here instead of naxja due to the extreme builds on this site.

Here is a link to my XJ build. I just cut my rear fenders for 37" IROCKS and moved my axle back about 7 inches. It should give you an idea. I have since then filled the area cut out, Those pics will be posted next week 1/23/07.

At the bottom of the thread before & after picks

http://www.4x4grace.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=4906&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=40

Hilla, those pictures are sick. You have insane clearance. I am looking for more of a low center approach if possible.

Very nice work though. Like the direction you went.

hilla, did you cut the part of the inner fender well so you dont have that stickin out? like so you have a wheelwell that looks stock with that big cut on the fender

wes

Yea...I went back and cut it where new sheet metal could be added and continue the form of the inner well. I added a little heavier metal sheet and was able to close up every angle. I can pull hard on the outer fenders and rock the Jeep. The paints drying as we speak.
I won't be able to up load the finished pics until Monday - stay tuned.

no hurry, just wondering

still wish i could see more pics of what others have done though. i believe in little lift and big tires, so i wanna see what others have done

ive actually been thinking about the same thing. im not goin to 1 tons, but am slipping in a ford 9 from an early bronco. i also like things to sit LOW so its gettin about 4 inches of lift all the way around with 35s. im also planning on turning the rear springs around, to gain about 5 inches of wheelbase. im thinking about building some "tubbed" style wheelwells, weld those in then then cut everything else out. but only after everything is caged. ive been asking on the naxja board and noone really has a lot of ideas. post up pics if you find some or if you go ahead and do yours.

wes

What do you mean turning the rear springs around. I would like to gain wheelbase but have never heard of turning springs around.

the leafs have an offset center pin. stock they are more towards the front of the vehicle. so by taking them off, then turning them 180 degrees, you gain 5 inches of wheelbase because of the offset. some say its better to turn all the leaves except the main leaf around, and to redrill the main leaf. either way, youll gain around 5 inches of wheelbase. you also need to be concerned with gas tank clearance though. when you move the axle back it will then hit the gas tank under compression

wes

Thanks for the info. How hard would it be to put a fuel cell in? Exactly how much can you cut from these unibody's and it not cave in. I've seen some real good ones on here but no real good pics of how people reinforce the actual body besides the frame rails?

just cage it to help prevent the body from folding. as far as the fuel cell, you can move the stock tank up in the rear cargo area, or a fuel cell wouldnt be too hard to install i imagine

search around over on naxja.org

wes

Read rockcontrolxjs build up. Its a couple of threads down

I finally have the fender pics up
http://www.4x4grace.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=55327#55327

Read rockcontrolxjs build up. Its a couple of threads down
It's the first one I thought of also, it should give you some ideas.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=507763

If you don't run tube along the edge like rockcontrolxj, you can weld a piece of 1/4" or 3/8" solid rod along the edge to give it more strength, and it gives you a smooth edge on the sheetmetal.

Here's a pic of mine finished. Looking for other pics of the makeover.

Rear armor

thanks for the pics AZDude, about how much lift do you think you have? looks good, did you build the inner fender to match the stocker????

wes

I have a 4.5" Rubicon Express lift...and I am currently boat siding it. I am also going to a 39" Krawler. Yes the inner fender is all complete as well.



thanks for the pics AZDude, about how much lift do you think you have? looks good, did you build the inner fender to match the stocker????

wes

damn AZdude that looks really good...did you make those or pic them up some where??? wouldn't mine pickin up a set of those for my rig....

how high you going with your boatsides???? im thinkin about doin the same, but my plan was to just go up to the bottom of the door hinge, so that i may be able to use the doors still (well partially, they will get cut down too obviously)

thanks for the info AZdude

I actually had a local body shop fab them for me....I think they did a great job!

damn AZdude that looks really good...did you make those or pic them up some where??? wouldn't mine pickin up a set of those for my rig....

I will post up better pics tonight of everything cut off! But evertything in red is gone.



how high you going with your boatsides???? im thinkin about doin the same, but my plan was to just go up to the bottom of the door hinge, so that i may be able to use the doors still (well partially, they will get cut down too obviously)

thanks for the info AZdude

We did this to my friends XJ about 3 years ago. Check out all his pics here:
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4288465031

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/squirriljeep/DSC02000.jpg?t=1169510638

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/squirriljeep/DSC02007.jpg

And another friends recently, except he just cut out the exterior and plated the wheelwells inside. He moved the tank up for clearance instead of installing a fuel cell.

http://www.lowcountrymudrats.com/albums/Joshs_XJ/P1240107.jpg

http://www.lowcountrymudrats.com/albums/Joshs_XJ/P2040013.jpg

http://www.lowcountrymudrats.com/albums/Joshs_XJ/P1240106.jpg

starting to take shape:D

Wow AZ, great work. Like the boat sides as well. By any chance do you have any pics of what you did to the inside of the wheel well? As in from the inside of the jeep?

My xj's body looks stock for the most part and if possible I would like the cutting to look clean.

Thanks everyone for thier input. Hopefully soon I can add to the picture gallery.

the wheelbase has been stretched to 109" you can see where extra metal was added to fill in the gap.

I got a PM from Hilla GO Rilla wanting to see the rear suspension setup....hope u don't mind I put a couple pics of that.:)

Thanks for the pics. Now you got me on the suspension! I am looking to go 38's or 9's. You went that big with only a 4.5 spring pack? What is the ride like on those shackles?

If you plan on driving it on a daily basis I wouldn't reccomend going with such a huge shackle...This thing is scary to drive on the street. Because of the super soft suspension but because it is also full hydro. The suspension setup works awesome!



Thanks for the pics. Now you got me on the suspension! I am looking to go 38's or 9's. You went that big with only a 4.5 spring pack? What is the ride like on those shackles?

OOOOHH! Swweeet...I like it. What length are those shackles eye to eye?

I'll take some measurements for ya later today.


OOOOHH! Swweeet...I like it. What length are those shackles eye to eye?

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h9/toivo1000/newjeep006.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h9/toivo1000/newjeep009.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h9/toivo1000/newjeep010.jpg
I just cut my corners off today and fabbed this little piece. It's got a few little edges to it, though not very visible. Stuffed the tank into the back as well.

shackles are 11.25" long eye to eye, 2.5" wide, .5" thick


OOOOHH! Swweeet...I like it. What length are those shackles eye to eye?

Here are some better pics of the rear shackle setup.

I'll take some measurements for ya later today.

Thanks for posting up some pics of the shackle mount...I may do something simular. Sorry for the hi-jack...but, I threw some fender pics up. :D

Thanks everyone for their thoughts and ideas. I am going to start drawing up ideas this weekend. my goal is still to make it look stock. would love some bulge fenders front and rear to help "hide" the tires and/or prevent breaking windows behind me but might be too difficult to fab up.

Just posted mine in another thread. Not finished yet but it may give you some ideas.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6405446&postcount=48

and overall

http://www.phatserver.net/~chris/XJbuild/011007/DSC01162.JPG

Nice........:smokin:

Very impressive rig, it has a great stance.

Has anyone looked at the pre-fabed wheel well that summit sells? I tried to search their site but they didn't have pictures. In their mag they had them in several sizes and I think there were around 75 for the set. Just thought it might be easier to cut out the existing and install a set of those. thoughts?