DIY highline...took the plunge

[tjaaron]

I've been wanting to do this ever since I saw the original aussie thread. I purchased the jeep with some cheap 2 in lift and 32's, but came across a deal on 35's I couldn't refuse. I've never used a grinder, but I've done everything on the jeep myself. So with a deep breath I decided to go for it. A couple of before shots.






At this point I have a slight rubbing problem.

The first thing I had to do was cut the hood. I ended up taking the hood completely off to do this because I thought it would be a little easier. This part was very intimidating, my first cut!



I've taken the fenders off and I'm ready to fit on the cut hood. I think the Jeep looks a little sad here.




Now it's time to test fit the fenders. The fenders actually would wedge into place which made it easy for me to fit and look for mounting points.



I was able to use some of the existing mounting points on the front, just one hole up from their original place. I still had to add a new hole at the top. Then I used some long bolts I had lying around from another project to bend the inside of the fenders to their new place, and added another hole to make sure it didn't bend out in the middle.





Now with the fender bolted on it looked like it was ready to fly away. At this point I had to step back and think about how to bend it back down.

[tjaaron]

There is a brace holding the fender at the angle it was, just behind the turn signal, so what I did was cut the brace, and bend the fender down to the angle I wanted. Then I drilled a hole and used a bolt to hold it in place. I was thinking about welding it, and I may later on, but this way if I need to change the angle it won't be such a big deal.



Now with the fender bent flat it was time to admire how much more room I had there.





I did the same thing to the other side, which took a lot less time now that I new what I was doing. Then it was time to start on the back. I took off the flare and measured up how high I thought it should be.



Then went at it with the grinder. As you can see by this picture I didn't quite cut out enough. I'm going to take off the rear tires, because there just wasn't enough room back there to get it all.



The project is really starting to come around now and you can see what the finished product is going to look like.







I still have plenty yet to do. Drill the mounting holes for the rear fender flare. I think I'm going to pick up the rokmen rocker guards because they go well to well and I can cut the new angles into them. Then I have to start on the engine compartment. I've been fabbing up some new brackets for relocating the fuel evap unit and I think I've found a good spot for the washer fluid cannister. So hopefully it won't be too much longer until I'm able to take some flex shots.

[Scotch740]

Nice work, this is in my plans for the future to go from 33s to 37s but I hope to be making tube fenders by then. Have you considered boat sides? Maybe a little much for right now but would be a nice addition.

Again nice work and keep the updates comming!

[NMLJ]

looks great but what do you have against bodylifts?

[tjaaron]

Hmmm. I've read some of the boatside threads, but never thought about it for my jeep I haven't seen one that looks finished. Since I've been concentrating on this for so long it doesn't even seem like an option. But I bet when this is done I'll wondering what to do next.

I've got nothin' against body lifts, that's for when I get 37's, and can figure out what to do about axles. But I've gained 3.5inches of clearance here, and there's no way I'm getting a 3in body lift.

[dragginwagon406]

Excellent work. Be sure to post pics of the inner fenderwells and how the components are rearranged.

[1CleanTJ]

thats awesome, what measurements you go for to cut the hood and how did you decide ? thats a big leap and no going back ! but the results are awesome

[badoosh27]

thats friggin sweet, i wish i had the nuts to do that to mine

[Unlimited04]

looks good! i've been wanting to do the same thing with tube fenders, but I can't bring myself to cut anything just yet. do you have any specific dimensions, especially on the hood? Also what is the distance from the tub to the base of the fender, or the amount the fender was lifted.

[tjaaron]

For the front I just cut along the line on the hood. This worked out pretty well, but looking back it would probably be better to cut a little more off the front of the hood. The hood line tapers slightly which causes a little bow in the fender when you match it up. I just bent it back with my foot, but I'm sure if I matched it up better that bow wouldn't have happened. The rear I raised about 3/4 of an inch lower than the front, mostly because it looked to high when I had it the same height. The front was lifted about 3 1/2 inches and the back a little more than 2 3/4. I can get you some more accurate measurements when I get home.

[john NC]

lookin good, can't wait to see the finished product

[red87yj]

I like the idea of a highline job for my YJ. My only question is what do you do with the sides of the tub that now hang down? I know you could do some boat sides but what other options are there?
Later
Zach

[FLATFENDER54]

Looking real good. I am also one of those guys that wants to do this but is kinda skeeeeered to cut on the jeep (my jeep is a 2001 BUT it still only has 35,000 miles on it) My brother has a 97 that i keep telling him ill cut on it for him -lol

[Unlimited04]

Originally Posted by red87yj

I like the idea of a highline job for my YJ. My only question is what do you do with the sides of the tub that now hang down? I know you could do some boat sides but what other options are there?
Later
Zach

in the aussie thread mentioned above, the guy made rockers to cover them. i've seen others box in that corner with the rocker to tie into the sheet metal above.

[jcssurf]

I see red X's...I want pics!