bushwacker flares

[71arcommando]

I know I have asked this before but I never really got an answer. If I install the bushwacker yj flares like on Mike's rig how much clearance if any will that give me? Btw, jeepster is still stock height. Also do you have to cut the fenders out to make them fit. Thanks, Craig

Also the before and aft pics of Mikes rig that people are showing me doesnt help because the before has 33s and the aft has 37s. Plus his is lifted. Thanks

[Tim]

Not sure what you're looking for. The only reason to add flares is to cover tread of wider tires. Wider tires for Jeeps tend to be taller as well, hence the need for lifting the vehicle.

If your intent is to keep stock height, stock width axles and stock tires, then there is no need to add flares.

I would suspect the Bushwacker flares stick out close to 6" providing that much more tread coverage in the front. The rear fenders do need to be cut to accommodate the flare, thus coverage is slightly less than the front due to removal of the rear fender's lip.

If you are looking for something of less coverage, try stock CJ-8 Scrambler flares. They cover about 2 1/2", as I recall. Pic below.

[71arcommando]

Tim, Im going to put waggie 44s in and 33s. I just want to know if the flares will give me any clearance so I can figure out how much susp. lift I need. Thanks, Craig

[Tim]

Here's a good place for tire/lift info:

American Jeepster Club

I am an advocate of skinny tires, if you're going to stick with the V-6. The pic above is of a rig with 255/85R16 tires, which measure 33" x 10". It has Waggie axles shortened to 56" wms to wms and has 4" sua Alcan springs with longer shackles to make it all fit. A couple more pics below.

You will want to measure your axles to see exactly how wide they are and calculate how much the tires will stick out with the particular wheels chosen, as wheel offset will affect your final width.

I believe the Bushwacker flares are 6" wide and the Waggie axles are 58" wms to wms. If that's about right, then you should be about covered if you choose the wider 33x12.50's. You should probably consder a 5" - 6" lift, if that's the case.

[Tim]

Here's what 7" wide Warn Trail Flares look like with 62" wide front axle, 60" rear axle and 12.5" wide tires (37x12.50R17's).

[71arcommando]

Yea, after going to Mike's build up page I read he had 5 inches of lift in the pic with the 33s. That looks about right. Thanks for the info.