Rugged Ridge Fender Flare Fitment

[joshvt]

A while back I cracked my front fender flare while leaning over it. I ordered a set of Rugged Ridge flares and today found some garage time to mess around with it. Didn’t go so well- the fit is not good - especially at the front edge. I tried heating the flare in a 130 degree water bath but it didn’t seem to give it much flexibility. After a couple hours of messing with it I’ve got about a 1/32 gap from the side marker light back. The front edge has a heavy 1/8-3/16” gap which looks like crap. The original flare on the other side fits tight. If you have used RR flares, did you get a better fit? Maybe I am going about the install wrong? Suggestions appreciated

 

[jammer1]

Were they this flare set. If they were, I used them on two cj8's and they came out fine. Are you sure the fender isn't bent (warped) from the hit that cracked the original set?

Rugged Ridge 11604.01 Factory Style Fender Flare Kit.​

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[joshvt]

Were they this flare set. If they were, I used them on two cj8's and they came out fine. Are you sure the fender isn't bent (warped) from the hit that cracked the original set?

Rugged Ridge 11604.01 Factory Style Fender Flare Kit.​

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Yes, that’s the exact kit. The one I replaced cracked from me accidentally leaning on it while working on the engine- it was extremely brittle and once it cracked, other cracks started to form. So no, I don’t think the fender is bent. Do yours pull tight against the fender? Pic of my original one that’s not cracked on the passenger side for comparison. The fit is so tight on the original that a piece of paper won’t even slip in the seam.

 

[jammer1]

I had no problem with the 2 jeeps I used them on. Biggest thing I had was the rear of the flare needed a little coaching with a clamp to drill the hold and pull it in. Here's the one build, numbers 204 and 212. https://www.cj-8.com/threads/never-ending-scrambler-build.43650/page-11. Sorry it's not closer. Are you sure when it was hit it didn't tweak the fender. The old flare was screwed to it so it would bend with it. I can see the paint scrape on the front of the fender. It wouldn't take much in the front for a minor bend that wouldn't crack the paint. can try laying the flare on a good flat ground and see if it's straight (on a glass door would be even straighter). Can also try a straight edge on the edge where the flare rests (on the fender), may see it's note straight. Unusuall for the flare to be off in front edge by marker light, go flat against the body then further down open the gap again. Either the flare or the fender is tweaked.

 

[Kim Dawson]

Even old original fender flares are rubbery or flexable. SOP for big companys for making replacement parts is to make them to be replaced often. That must be why they call them replacement parts.

 

[joshvt]

The marks on the front fender are a PO’s less than great repaint that didn’t quite cover in that area and is gradually failing. Pretty sure it hasn’t been hit- the passenger side profile looks the same, but I could be wrong. I am going to remove the passenger side flare and try installing the new flare on that side to compare the fit. Then will remove the driver side and put a straight edge on it as you suggested. Unfortunately, will probably be a few weeks before I have a chance to mess with it.

 

[FLCJ8]

Do you still have the old flare that you can check with a straight edge also?

 

[joshvt]

Do you still have the old flare that you can check with a straight edge also?

Yes. I will check it when I get a chance

I did take the old flare and held the new passenger side up as a book match/ mirror image. A little hard to tell in this pic since it’s hard to hold the two back to back against each other and hold the camera but they matched up very close with the exception of the angle between the leg that goes under the fender and the vertical part of the flare that goes against the fender. That angle is slightly different. I did not book match the two new flares before installing to see if they mirror each other closely.

 

[Chamba]

I never understood the mindset that it is easier to mask something off than to simply unscrew it. But it must be because people do it over and over and over.

 

[joshvt]

I never understood the mindset that it is easier to mask something off than to simply unscrew it. But it must be because people do it over and over and over.

I couldn’t agree more. Whoever painted my jeep didn’t even take the hood latches off… or the top, among other things. Other than that the paint job is pretty decent. Ridiculous.

 

[joshvt]

Finally had some time to mess mess with the fender flares some more. Decided to pull the passenger side and try the new flare to see how the fitment compared. Same problem-1/8” gap at the front edge. Did some close comparison and realized why the new ones don’t fit. The originals have a much sharper angle at front edge between the flange and the vertical edge. The flare material actually gets thicker. Vs. the replacement has a 90 degree angle. Since it sounds like others have had luck with these I am wondering if I got a bad set. Unfortunately I bought them a while back so out of the return window. Might order a single front to see if it’s any different. Original flare going back on passenger side.

 

[jammer1]

This might sound silly, if this is a part that fits under the fender lip and is a small piece. Is it something that can be trimmed to allow the flare to fit against the fender. Since you already have the part and can't return. I have those flares on 2 cj8's, metal fenders, and they fit well. I have to clamp them on to get a tight fit, then drill holes and screw on but their is no gap like you have.

 

[joshvt]

I was thinking the same thing. I did a little trimming on the front edge but I think I need to cut the flange completely off so it will flex sideways easier. Will mess with it one of these weekends when I have some more free time.