Fiberglass questions. Hoping to make decent fender flares.

[Viror]

So, because I have a set of metal fender flares from a J10 that are destined for the rear of my Cherokee Chief, I'd like to make use of them before I go about putting them on. I love seeing these FSJs on the road and I know a set of widetrack rear flares are getting harder and harder to find which might discourage some from restoring a widetrack FSJ. Since BJ's no longer offers the flares, I would like to. Problem is, I don't know how to work with fiberglass. What material do I use to make the mold? Should I make a mold that includes a portion of the body, or just one that has the fender flare with a tab to be mounted on the inside of the body? Should it be a two piece unit and replace the inner fender as well? What kind of fiberglass should I use? Should I use metal within the glass to reinforce it and create stronger mounting points? So on and so forth. Let me know.

[Stuka]

You mean like this?

http://stores.zmjeeps.com/Detail.bok?no=146681

[whsii]

The rear fender flairs on a wide track truck is part of the inner fender. They go beyond what you see by at least ten inches or more.

I am not sure how a wide track Cherokee should be the same, AMC did not make too many parts that would not work on other models.


If the metal is good in the inner fender, then you might be able to bond a fiberglass flair to it, but if the original is rusted, and you do not take care of the inner fender, you are going to have problems.

[Viror]

.... Right. Stuka, you're a magician right? Lol. I looked high and low for a set and came up with nothing. Perhaps I should have just asked. Other forums have taught me to never ask "Where can I find X?" questions. Perhaps I should try to make carbon fiber ones for a lightweight racing FSJ? Lol.

[csuengr]

J truck rear flares are different than WT Cherokee flares. The front of the flare is fine, the rear is the issue, as seen here.


It takes some work, as seen at the right, but they can work.

[Rumblebeej2000]

Pics of the flares in question?
Fiberglass mat is quite stiff/strong and you shouldn't have to reinforce it after a few layers. Is there a section you needed to repair?..

[66stepside]

The Power Block on Spike had an episode of Muscle Car where the mechanic who retired from the motor pool of seal team six made a set of fender flares and the molds for a set of one off fender flares for their vintage Mustang.

The flares obviously are different, but the process would be similar, if not the same.

The key, IMHO, would be to make flares that would work on both the Chiefs and the trucks. I would guesstimate that it would mean more material on the back of the flares and the truck guys would have to cut the excess off in order to get them to fit.

[66stepside]

Here's an informative forum post with lots O' links...

http://v8mongrel.com/blogthis/?p=66

The Muscle Car Episode used to be on their website, but it isn't any more.

[jsinajeep]

Putting the fiber glass fender on a W/T is not all that hard, I have done it. I have a lot of
pictures and it would take awhile to copy them all here.