Anyone running Bushwacker flat flares?

[Sneedle Vision]

Trying to figure out what I want to do about my fender situation and the BW flat flares don't look to be too bad. I'm only rubbing a little bit at full lock, but any up travel in the suspension and it's a different story.

Just curious if anyone on here was running them and if they liked them. Fit and finish? Hold up well over time?

[Mudderoy]

Trying to figure out what I want to do about my fender situation and the BW flat flares don't look to be too bad. I'm only rubbing a little bit at full lock, but any up travel in the suspension and it's a different story.

Just curious if anyone on here was running them and if they liked them. Fit and finish? Hold up well over time?

On the wife's TJ.

[Sneedle Vision]

On the wife's TJ.

No issues? Worth the $$$$? Like how they look in person compares to on the web?

[xjrev10]

I like them. Plan on installing a set on my wyomanche MJ project.

[Mudderoy]

No issues? Worth the $$$$? Like how they look in person compares to on the web?

No they are great, however I guess we've had them about 2 months. They cost too much for plastic, but they all cost that much. They look great on the TJ, they are well made and I think it's a great look.

If I had to do it over I'd probably go with the flat flares on the XJ.

[jccatt]

But are the crackers like the original ones? I won't pay good money for a flare that cracks when you lean it on a bank.

[Pookapotamus]

I have a set on my XJ, beet the snot out of them, leaned on them, crushed them, all sorts of abuse. They are a little warped but no big deal. They installed great although did not really give a ton more clearance.

I love the look of these on the XJ, and in my opinion were a great upgrade.

[Sneedle Vision]

I have a set on my XJ, beet the snot out of them, leaned on them, crushed them, all sorts of abuse. They are a little warped but no big deal. They installed great although did not really give a ton more clearance.

I love the look of these on the XJ, and in my opinion were a great upgrade.

Just the sort of info I was looking for! Thanks!

[Mudderoy]

The same semi-submerged tree stump that did this....

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MhRfGwo62I8/TGA9OShLkJI/AAAAAAAAAYg/OQm2nVDwzT8/s800/2010-08-09%252012.36.01.jpg

did this to the rocker...

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DN8QcdRsOI4/TGA9TuQd7fI/AAAAAAAAAYk/_YvimEJTSJQ/s800/2010-08-09%252012.35.50.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LoYNjqbhoUA/TGA9dGK7M2I/AAAAAAAAAYw/745ex6xyk_w/s800/2010-08-09%252012.34.59.jpg

Even BigJim350 commented he had a new respect for the bushwackers are seeing how much it flexed first hand.

[jccatt]

Wonder if they have changed materials, cause here in Oz they have a bad name for cracking.

Sent from my dieing HTC Un-Desire half smart phone

[Sneedle Vision]

I was already leaning towards them before starting this thread, but this helped. They'll be here tomorrow, and XJtalk should get some Amazon dollars!

[Mudderoy]

I was already leaning towards them before starting this thread, but this helped. They'll be here tomorrow, and XJtalk should get some Amazon dollars!

Hey thanks for remembering us! Not to be greedy, but some pictures too? :D :popcorn:

[bluedragon436]

Looking forward to seeing pics of them installed... I have been thinking of picking up a set of flat flares here shortly... And I love the look of the flat flares on the display XJ that BW has showing them... but would like to see some on nicely setup XJ, as well as hear about how they were installment wise, and how they stand up to abuse..

[jeepguy702]

I'm thinking about getting a set Look forward to your pics

[Sneedle Vision]

I'm thinking about getting a set Look forward to your pics

They're going on Saturday and there should be pictures a plenty. If you want any specific shots, leave em here and I'll do my best to get 'em for ya!

[bigjim350]

I really like the flat flares, and would love some for my jeep. However they require so little trimming to install, that I would have to put on new front fenders cause mine are timmed too much for those flares. So anybody looking to buy a set, and has trimmed some already, should look at the instructions they have to make sure they will still fit.

[Marcelo73]

I have to see if they are compatible with the Safari snorkel. The other pretty sure are not.

[cantab27]

I have to see if they are compatible with the Safari snorkel. The other pretty sure are not.

if ya go into articles on home page ,,theres a write up ....;)

[Mudderoy]

I have to see if they are compatible with the Safari snorkel. The other pretty sure are not.

Slight trimming of the bushwacker cut out flare may be required.
http://forumbilder.se/images/5b5200864216Pf825.jpg

http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1679/11151995/21533576/354394216.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e55/michaelbrandonw/IMAG0058.jpg

Personally I'm looking at the "AirFlow" snorkel for mine. I don't want to trim my bushwackers...

http://www.dpgoff-road.com/images/products/KMcGeeJeep.jpg

[cantab27]

nothing wrong with airflow snorkels...i ran one ,strong as ands saved my engine one or two times.....and half the price................................

[XJ Wheeler]

I really like the flat flares, and would love some for my jeep. However they require so little trimming to install, that I would have to put on new front fenders cause mine are timmed too much for those flares. So anybody looking to buy a set, and has trimmed some already, should look at the instructions they have to make sure they will still fit.

Same here, i think i'm well past their mounting points as well.I really do like the look, something different from the big bulging cut-outs, but i need and want more clearance than they provide.

[Mudderoy]

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff279/trekman8/DSCN2183.jpg

[Bushwacker, Inc]

Wonder if they have changed materials, cause here in Oz they have a bad name for cracking.

We had answered this question for the XJTalk Twitter account, but yes - we did change the material from ABS to TPO in June '09. TPO is much more flexible and forgiving with extreme use. It maintains a "memory" which allows the material to retain its shape after impact (granted, a little finessing might be necessary depending on the impact).

Our Flat Style Flares are definitely a popular flare with the Jeep community, and if you've already purchased them then be sure to fill out this form (http://bushwacker.com/images/2012-flat-style-rebate/bushwacker-2012-jeep-rebate.pdf) for a factory rebate.

[Mudderoy]

We had answered this question for the XJTalk Twitter account, but yes - we did change the material from ABS to TPO in June '09. TPO is much more flexible and forgiving with extreme use. It maintains a "memory" which allows the material to retain its shape after impact (granted, a little finessing might be necessary depending on the impact).

Our Flat Style Flares are definitely a popular flare with the Jeep community, and if you've already purchased them then be sure to fill out this form (http://bushwacker.com/images/2012-flat-style-rebate/bushwacker-2012-jeep-rebate.pdf) for a factory rebate.

Thanks Ben. There are a lot of off road sites out there and we appreciate you taking time out to join and post here on xjtalk!

I invited Bushwacker, Ben, to come respond in this thread (or any others he'd like to) so you guys could get the latest information, and straight from Bushwacker. Many thanks to Ben and Bushwacker for hiring someone to handle their web face.

http://blog.bushwacker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ben-jeep-300x200.jpg

You can read more about Ben at Bushwacker at this :link: (http://blog.bushwacker.com/79/general-posts/whos-the-new-guy/)

[Bushwacker, Inc]

Thanks Ben. There are a lot of off road sites out there and we appreciate you taking time out to join and post here on xjtalk!

I invited Bushwacker, Ben, to come respond in this thread (or any others he'd like to) so you guys could get the latest information, and straight from Bushwacker. Many thanks to Ben and Bushwacker for hiring someone to handle their web face.

http://blog.bushwacker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ben-jeep-300x200.jpg

You can read more about Ben at Bushwacker at this :link: (http://blog.bushwacker.com/79/general-posts/whos-the-new-guy/)

No problem, it's a pleasure to be able to work and chat with true enthusiasts

[Pookapotamus]

HI Bushwacker,

What can you suggest for repairing the flat fenders? Mine are getting pretty beat up and I would like to fix them instead of buying a whole new set. I have heard that with a heat gun you can work out all the kinks, any tips for us?

Thanks, Pook

[Bushwacker, Inc]

HI Bushwacker,

What can you suggest for repairing the flat fenders? Mine are getting pretty beat up and I would like to fix them instead of buying a whole new set. I have heard that with a heat gun you can work out all the kinks, any tips for us?

Thanks, Pook

Are they the Flat Style Flares made out of TPO?

[Pookapotamus]

Yes they are, I can post some pics later when I get home.

[Bushwacker, Inc]

Yes they are, I can post some pics later when I get home.

As i'm sure you guessed, the "fix" is all dependent on the damage, but we've heard first hand that running a heat gun over a deep impact can make it malleable enough to bend back in to place.

Disclaimer: this isn't endorsed by Bushwacker customer care, and will void a warranty if the flare is damaged more-so - just sharing the word on the street ;)

[Pookapotamus]

well I don't seem to have any pics of the damage, but i found a couple of them the day they were installed.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii191/pookapotamus/posts/DSCN0582.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii191/pookapotamus/posts/DSCN0583.jpg

and one of them being test fitted to the new jeep.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii191/pookapotamus/Rigor%20Mortis/IMG_0112.jpg

I will try the heat gun when I get a chance with some before and after pics.

[Sneedle Vision]

I finally got the flares installed over the weekend and it was pretty straight forward. The most difficult part was dealing with the splash shield in the front. But oh well, here's a before and after! Please excuse the phone photos...

BEFORE...
http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j388/sneedlevision/Jeep%20Build/xjslider1.jpg

AFTER...
http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j388/sneedlevision/Jeep%20Build/IMAG0293.jpg

[Mudderoy]

I finally got the flares installed over the weekend and it was pretty straight forward. The most difficult part was dealing with the splash shield in the front. But oh well, here's a before and after! Please excuse the phone photos...

BEFORE...
http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j388/sneedlevision/Jeep%20Build/xjslider1.jpg

AFTER...
http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j388/sneedlevision/Jeep%20Build/IMAG0293.jpg

What do you think?

[Sneedle Vision]

I think they're pretty awesome! They're much sturdier than I expected. As far as looks go, I'll always prefer the stock style flare. But for the coverage and clearance, these are hard to beat.

[Pookapotamus]

looks great Sneedle!

[jeepguy702]

Looks awesome...
Do you have to do any sheet metal triming?
thanks

[Sneedle Vision]

Yeah, you have to do a little bit of trimming but not much. It ends up being about 1" at each corner of the wheel well and tapers up to about 1/2" at the top of the wheel well. The rest of the "trimming" is just notching and hammering the metal back.

I was extremely nervous about trimming fenders but it wasn't at all as bad as I expected.

[jeepguy702]

I also noticed that it looks as you had to trim part of the rear corner bumper? How was BW instructions for the whole install? Do they have any kind of templates for cutting?
thanks again

[Sneedle Vision]

I also noticed that it looks as you had to trim part of the rear corner bumper? How was BW instructions for the whole install? Do they have any kind of templates for cutting?
thanks again

Both the front and rear bumper caps have to be trimmed. There aren't any templates, it's more of a trim and test fit deal. Wasn't too bad since the caps come right off with a razor blade.

BW's instructions are pretty straight forward. The thing I should have done first is read all the instructions to get a general idea of how they are put on. Instead, I just went step by step and it seemed to drag out the installation.

[4.3LXJ]

Instructions? Real men just throw those useless things away. :D