If your 2004 jeep tj fenders have seen better times, whether from the tight squeeze on a rugged trail or simply the inevitable creeping rust, it's probably time to think about a swap. The particular TJ is debatably one of the particular most iconic Wranglers ever made, but those factory front side fenders are notorious for catching every bit of road salt and moisture imaginable. Before you understand it, you're looking at bubbles in the particular paint right above the wheel nicely, or worse, a hole you may stick your thumb through.
Replacing them isn't just about making the Jeep appearance pretty again, even though that's a large perk. It's regarding structural integrity and, let's be sincere, giving yourself a good excuse to beef up the rig. Whether you want to keep that will classic stock look or you're prepared to cut to the hood for a few high-clearance tube fenders, a few ton associated with methods to go about it.
The Struggle with Manufacturing plant Fenders
The design of the 2004 jeep tj fenders is a bit of the double-edged sword. On one hand, they give the Jeep that will classic, flat-top silhouette we all like. On the various other hand, how an internal and outer fender liners are sandwiched together makes an ideal little pocket intended for mud and salt to sit. If you live in the rust belt, you understand exactly what I'm discussing.
Usually, the particular rot starts right where the support brace meets the outer skin. By the time you see a tiny bubble upon the outside, the particular inside is usually pretty toast. If you've caught it earlier, you might become capable to sand it down and strike it with several rust reformer. Yet for most associated with us with twenty-year-old Jeeps, we're previous the point associated with "fixing" and properly into "replacing" area.
Choosing In between Stock Style and Aftermarket
When you begin shopping for replacements, you'll basically strike a fork in the road. Do you go along with OE-style (Original Equipment) replacements, or do you dive straight into the world associated with aftermarket armor?
Keeping it Authentic
If a person love the way in which your own TJ looked the day it folded off the great deal, stock-style replacement fenders are relatively inexpensive. You could find unpainted metal fenders that bolt up to the particular factory locations. The particular upside here is that the Jeep stays "pure, " and you can recycle your factory plastic flares. The downside? You're putting the same design back on, meaning the rust cycle can eventually start all over again if you don't coating them properly.
Stepping Up to Tube Fenders
This is where most TJ owners end up going. If you're already spending the money and doing the particular labor, obtain enhance? Tube fenders are usually usually made from heavy-duty steel tubes and plate. They are way more powerful than the thin sheet metal from your factory. If a person lean your Jeep against a tree on a trail along with stock fenders, they'll crumple like the soda can. Along with steel tube fenders, the tree usually loses.
One more big plus along with aftermarket fenders is tire clearance. A lot of "flat fender" designs get rid of the downward shape of the manufacturer metal, allowing you to run bigger tires with much less suspension lift. This keeps your middle of gravity reduce, which is the massive win intended for off-roading.
The Installation Reality Check
I'm not really going to sugarcoat it: swapping out there 2004 jeep tj fenders could be a bit of the weekend project, specifically if you haven't turned a wrench tool within a while. It's not that the particular job is complex, it's just that Jeeps are old, and bolts love to click.
Dealing with the particular "Jeep Bolts"
You're likely to experience a lot associated with 10mm bolts and probably some Torx heads. Before you even consider coming in contact with a socket wrench tool, soak everything within PB Blaster or even WD-40 Specialist intended for at least twenty-four hours. The mounting bolts that hold the fender to the tub (the major body of the Jeep) are famous for spinning the nutserts within the body. If that happens, you're in for an enjoyable afternoon of drilling and swearing.
The Engine Bay Shuffle
The fenders aren't just there for appearance; they hold a lot of stuff up. On a 2004 model, you've got the battery tray, the airbox, the washer liquid reservoir, along with a whole mess of cabling looms mounted on the inner fenders. Whenever you pull the metal out, you have to find a method to mount almost all that gear to the new ones.
Most top quality aftermarket kits include brackets for this, when you're heading with cheap auction web sites fenders, you might have to get a small creative with a drill and a few go ties. Also, keep an eye upon your hood latches. You'll normally have to migrate those over to the new fenders as properly.
To Color or Not to Paint?
Once you've got your fenders, you have to choose the finish. If you bought OE-style steel, you'll definitely want to get all of them color-matched. It's a bit of an extra expense, but a refreshing coat of "Solar Yellow" or "Patriot Blue" the actual entire Jeep look brand new.
If you went the tube fender route, lots of guys go along with black powder layer or bedliner. Bedliner is excellent because it's tough as fingernails and you will touch this up with a shake can following a rough day around the trails. Just keep in mind that natural powder coat can sometimes nick, and once wetness gets under it, the steel will start to rust where a person can't see it. Always make certain you've got the solid primer bottom regardless of exactly what you select.
Don't Forget the Inner Fenders
When you replace the outer 2004 jeep tj fenders , you have to decide what to do with the inner steering wheel wells. If a person go with a "high-line" or pipe fender, the stock plastic liners usually won't fit any more.
Many people just leave them open, but that's a recipe for a muddy engine bay. It also reveals your headlights plus wiring to all the road dust your tires conquer up. I'd recommend picking up a set of aluminum inner fenders. They're lightweight, they won't rust, and they will provide the wheel well a very clean, completed look. Plus, these people help vent temperature out of the engine bay, which is never the bad thing regarding a 4. 0L straight-six that runs a bit warm.
Lighting plus Legalities
One thing people frequently forget when changing fenders may be the switch signals. The manufacturer 2004 jeep tj fenders possess those big ruby lights quietly and the front. Numerous aftermarket fenders don't have holes for these.
If you need to stay street-legal (and avoid getting drawn over), you'll have to wire in several LED markers. Most people just exercise a small pit and pop within a ¾-inch LED light. It's the simple two-wire get together, but it's something you want in order to have planned out before you recognize you're driving at night without side indicators.
Wrapping It Up
At the end of the particular day, your 2004 jeep tj fenders tend to be more compared to just a location to hang your flares. They determine the look from the front end plus protect your motor components. If yours start to appear a little crusty, don't wait till they're falling away from.
Regardless of whether you decide in order to keep it classic with a fresh group of factory-style metal or else you go full-metal-jacket with some heavy-duty shield, the is night and day. It's one particular of those tasks that feels like a lot associated with work while you're elbow-deep in the particular engine bay, nevertheless the first period you step back again and look on the finished product, it's always worth the time and effort. Just remember in order to take your time, maintain the penetrating essential oil handy, and maybe possess a friend nearby to help you line upward the hood spaces. Happy wrenching!