Need Fenders for 35"'s or bigger and 3" lift

Losing Nemo · 02-06-2010, 06:20 PM

Hello folks. I have an 05 TJ that is currently sitting on a 3" BDS lift with 32" tires. This has always been a preliminary stage "set up" as many of you are familiar with. I am fixing to pull the trigger on some new axles and am very excited about that but here is the decision that I am wresling with. I have always wanted to move to 35" tires and a suspension system that would facilitate the bigger tires correctly on and off road. The other option I am realy thinking about is keeping the BDS suspension(has served well on and off road) and supplimenting additional tire space with a set of tube fenders designed for such an application. I have looked at the Gen Rights and a couple other MFG's stuff, and it seems that I would even be able to step up to a 37" or 38" tire with new fenders and my current lift. Does anyone have some first hand eperience executing a set up similar to what I am thinking about doing? What MFG's fenders did you go with, and what was your experience with the install and actual tire fitment? Was there claims of additional added clearence accurate? I may get lucky and have a couple of very experienced paint and body folks to help me out with the install too so I am stoked on that. Let me know what you guys think. If it would work well, I think it would be a good LCG lift set up but I will defer to the experts. Thanks guys.

**Imped** · 02-06-2010, 06:29 PM

Sure, plenty of guys on here run trimmed or highline fenders with big tires and low lift. It's a good way to go. But just so you know, 37-38" tires will take some decent axles. I have 2.5" of lift with a 1.25" body lift and 35" tires on stock fenders. Plenty of room. Highline fenders + 3" of lift can comfortably fit tires big enough to blow up anything but 1 ton axles.

Losing Nemo · 02-06-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imped4now

Sure, plenty of guys on here run trimmed or highline fenders with big tires and low lift. It's a good way to go. But just so you know, 37-38" tires will take some decent axles. I have 2.5" of lift with a 1.25" body lift and 35" tires on stock fenders. Plenty of room. Highline fenders + 3" of lift can comfortably fit tires big enough to blow up anything but 1 ton axles.

I will not skimp on the axles.

never monday · 02-06-2010, 06:40 PM

are you going to build for 35's or 38's now? the plans are way different.

**RubiconRazorbac** · 02-06-2010, 06:43 PM

Look at the high-arch Metalcloaks. Max clearance, full-replacement fenders so you don't have to cut up your OEM fenders in case you want to sell them or hold on to 'em for some reason.

They're worth looking into...

Losing Nemo · 02-06-2010, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by never monday

are you going to build for 35's or 38's now? the plans are way different.

That will be determined upon further investigation, which is the main reason for the post. I want to make sure the new fender "option" will work well. If research persuades me to go with a new lift vs. the fenders, then I will build around a 35" tire size. If I go with the fenders and my currenst lift, I will build around the maximum tire fitment provided. Again, I am looking for some first hand experience with this undertaking.

never monday · 02-06-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Losing Nemo

Again, I am looking for some first hand experience with this undertaking.

well I don't have any of that

Losing Nemo · 02-06-2010, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RubiconRazorbac

Look at the high-arch Metalcloaks. Max clearance, full-replacement fenders so you don't have to cut up your OEM fenders in case you want to sell them or hold on to 'em for some reason.

They're worth looking into...

I have to admit that I looked at the Metalcloaks on theyre site and I didnt like the look of the high arch. I can apreciate the performance value of what they offer, but I cant get past the look of them.

**RubiconRazorbac** · 02-06-2010, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Losing Nemo

Again, I am looking for some first hand experience with this undertaking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by never monday

well I don't have any of that

Losing Nemo · 02-07-2010, 10:29 AM

Did I some sort of elitism go unnoticed on my part?

cmgorman94 · 02-07-2010, 11:10 AM

I can't say that I have personal experience, but I am planning a similar build. I have been looking at tntcustoms.com fenders and corners. They claim that their non high line fenders clear 37s with 2" of lift. They have tons of great reviews on this site, and to be honest I don't think I've ever heard anything bad about them.

BeerMe · 02-07-2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Losing Nemo

Did I some sort of elitism go unnoticed on my part?

Not exactly. You just asked a very general question on a well covered topic, then said you'd defer to the experts, then when one of the most respected experts asked a relevant question you blew him off. You strike me as a guy that has already made a decision and is just waiting for someone to come along and tell him it was a good one. I'm pretty sure a 17 year old will chime in and tell you you can run 38s on rubi 44s and highlines, then you'll be happy and we can all go back to having no idea what we're talking about.

Losing Nemo · 02-08-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeerMe

Not exactly. You just asked a very general question on a well covered topic, then said you'd defer to the experts, then when one of the most respected experts asked a relevant question you blew him off. You strike me as a guy that has already made a decision and is just waiting for someone to come along and tell him it was a good one. I'm pretty sure a 17 year old will chime in and tell you you can run 38s on rubi 44s and highlines, then you'll be happy and we can all go back to having no idea what we're talking about.

This couldnt be further from the truth. When I was asked for more clarification about my plans, I was forthright. At no point did I blow any one off because experienced posters opinions and questions are very welcome. I am not a regular so I dont know who the experts are. Contrary to what you may believe, my decision has not been made and still have open variables that need closing.

0blcktj6 · 02-08-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Losing Nemo

This couldnt be further from the truth. When I was asked for more clarification about my plans, I was forthright. At no point did I blow any one off because experienced posters opinions and questions are very welcome. I am not a regular so I dont know who the experts are. Contrary to what you may believe, my decision has not been made and still have open variables that need closing.

Well the point NeverMonday was trying make was simply that your post is fairly ambiguous. You asked about running 35's and then made a reference to possibly running 37's or 38's. If you want an expert opinion you need to ask an expert question. Building for 35's is totally different than building for 38's as was said before. One can be done on a beefed up D35 and the other I would not run on anything less than D60.

So first you need to make up your mind by figuring out the variables. The initial question is do you even need 38's? I would venture to say that 90% of the trails we run in the US are passable on 35's with a good bit of driver ability. The next question is do you have the money for 38's? Sure you could slap some tube fenders on it and have the clearance but do you have the money for steering, brakes, axles, and the multitude of other things it takes to run them?

From what I gather you would be best sticking with 35's, when done right they themselves are not cheap to run but they are definitely a whole lot cheaper than 38's and I would hazard a guess that the trails your Jeep will be going down will not need a tire that is any larger.

And to answer your initial post, Genright's tube fenders will not actually net you any real clearance gains and unless you are going with their fender style that either hugs the hood line or the highline setup will actually cause you to have less clearance than simply trimming your stock fenders would, do a search, that gentleman NeveryMonday has an entire post dedicated to it. A good fender setup would be either TNT Custums of the newer Metalcloak fenders. Both are full replacement fenders and will give you quite a bit of additional wheel well clearance for your larger tires, whichever you decide to run.

Losing Nemo · 02-08-2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0blcktj6

Well the point NeverMonday was trying make was simply that your post is fairly ambiguous. You asked about running 35's and then made a reference to possibly running 37's or 38's. If you want an expert opinion you need to ask an expert question. Building for 35's is totally different than building for 38's as was said before. One can be done on a beefed up D35 and the other I would not run on anything less than D60.

So first you need to make up your mind by figuring out the variables. The initial question is do you even need 38's? I would venture to say that 90% of the trails we run in the US are passable on 35's with a good bit of driver ability. The next question is do you have the money for 38's? Sure you could slap some tube fenders on it and have the clearance but do you have the money for steering, brakes, axles, and the multitude of other things it takes to run them?

From what I gather you would be best sticking with 35's, when done right they themselves are not cheap to run but they are definitely a whole lot cheaper than 38's and I would hazard a guess that the trails your Jeep will be going down will not need a tire that is any larger.

And to answer your initial post, Genright's tube fenders will not actually net you any real clearance gains and unless you are going with their fender style that either hugs the hood line or the highline setup will actually cause you to have less clearance than simply trimming your stock fenders would, do a search, that gentleman NeveryMonday has an entire post dedicated to it. A good fender setup would be either TNT Custums of the newer Metalcloak fenders. Both are full replacement fenders and will give you quite a bit of additional wheel well clearance for your larger tires, whichever you decide to run.

Ok, let me clarify. I have been debating two alternate methods to gain clearence. The first being a new suspension lift with 35's. The second was using new fenders, current 3" suspension, and a tire larger than 35". Under the second option, my reasoning for a larger than 35" tire was driven from claims of additional clearence using the new fenders. No matter what option I go with, I will be purchasing the appropriate drivetrain parts to keep the Jeep reliable, safe, and of course fun. This is one of the main reasons for my post. I want to know the direction I am going so I can purchase the appropriate parts to make it "go" right. I hope this is a little more clear, but I have basically re-stated what my prior posts say. Thanks for the info on the fenders, and I will look at NeverMonday's post regarding this also.