Bushwaker Flares v. Xenon?

Jeepin72 · 05-25-2009, 02:24 PM

I have read the threads. I hear a lot of negative stuff about Bushwacker, mainly about their durability after an impact. Anyone got an opinion on Xenon? I was looking at the flat fender flare for both companies. The price is about the same. How's the performance?

**digitalcox** · 05-25-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeepin72

I have read the threads. I hear a lot of negative stuff about Bushwacker, mainly about their durability after an impact. Anyone got an opinion on Xenon? I was looking at the flat fender flare for both companies. The price is about the same. How's the performance?

Can't say from any personal experience but I just ordered the Xenon flat fenders earlier today. There are a few people around my area that has them with no big complaints except for the marker lights. Other than that, they seem to take a good beating.

**JeeperDon** · 05-25-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeepin72

I have read the threads. I hear a lot of negative stuff about Bushwacker, mainly about their durability after an impact. Anyone got an opinion on Xenon? I was looking at the flat fender flare for both companies. The price is about the same. How's the performance?

I plan on making the Xenon flats my next upgrade. I have no personal touchy/feely experience with either, just chose from what I read.

**daveshan** · 05-25-2009, 09:15 PM

I have the Xenons, they're tough I've folded mine on the driver's side over more than half way (laying a Jeep on them) and they bounced right back.

From what I've heard the Bushwhacker flat flares are not made of the same stuff the "bushcracker" pocket flares are. The flats are supposed to bend nicely if necessary, they also have a better attachment than the Xenons which have had a bit of a problem with holes lining up, at least in the early ones.

**JeeperDon** · 05-25-2009, 09:41 PM

It doesn't matter for the OP here (has TJ), but Bushwacker doesn't make them for YJs, only Xenon. This heavily influenced my decision.

Jeepin72 · 05-26-2009, 09:15 AM

In all the calalog pic I see of the Xenon flares they are gray. Do they come gray? Or are they matte black? I don't really want to have to paint them.

**daveshan** · 05-26-2009, 09:24 AM

Glossy black, Xenon recommends painting them or coating with a UV blocker to keep the nice finish. I didn't bother, mine look well uhhhh, "used" to say the least. Paint would have looked very very bad by now.

Jeepin72 · 05-26-2009, 11:24 AM

How big was the hole allignment issue?

wes19d · 05-26-2009, 11:36 AM

Seen a couple of bushwackers crack pretty bad and have seen some xenons being wrapped around trees only to return to original form. Xenon FTW

**daveshan** · 05-26-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeepin72

How big was the hole allignment issue?

Not too bad, worst one was ~1/2" off, simple to guesstimate where to drill.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wes19d

Seen a couple of bushwackers crack pretty bad and have seen some xenons being wrapped around trees only to return to original form. Xenon FTW

Not my proudest moment but it gives you a good idea of what they will take. Here's a picture taken after I got home from Chokecherry. As you can see they are scuffed but not broken.

hillie4life · 05-26-2009, 01:57 PM

I have the bushwacker cutouts and i smacked a tree real good on my first day our with em, they were fine. I mean im not gonna role the thing, but i was sure that i broke em... nothing... I also like the look alot more then the xenon... just my opinion

Jeepin72 · 05-26-2009, 03:22 PM

Im impressed with Xenon's recovery!

**JeeperDon** · 05-26-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeepin72

Im impressed with Xenon's recovery!

Yeah, me too. I'm sold.

KATCJ7 · 05-26-2009, 07:51 PM

I literally installed my Xenon Flats this last weekend... I left one on the garage floor and ran it over with another car (pulling it next to Jeep), other than a few scratches, nothing wrong running it over. Other than that no trail experience at all!

hillie4life · 05-27-2009, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KATCJ7

I literally installed my Xenon Flats this last weekend... I left one on the garage floor and ran it over with another car (pulling it next to Jeep), other than a few scratches, nothing wrong running it over. Other than that no trail experience at all!

Did you run them over on purpose? or on accident? haha