Barn Door for JK factory hardtops
- Thread starter jscherb
- Start date
jscherb
Expedition Leader
I've posted a concept drawing of what the rear flat fenders might look like before, but here's one showing the fenders in black as I molded them. The shapes, angles and radii of the rears are the same as the front fenders.
Before I start making the mold masters for the rears, I'm exloring a few design options. In all of the options below, the flat parts are still flat and the tops are level with the ground just like the fronts, and unlike the factory fenders which slope down from the body to the outside of the fender, so the overall look of the rears is the same as the front. But I've varied a few elements in each of these drawings.
In design concept 2, I've softened the radius of the bends a bit to match the bend radius of the factory fenders. The flat parts are still flat where the factory fenders are curved.
Design concept 3 has the same outer profile as concept 2, but the inside wheel arch is trimmed differently. The original Willys MB has front fenders exactly like these fronts, but doesn't have rear fenders at all - the tire is within the body so no flare/fender is required. But the wheel arch cut in the body is a semicircle, so this concept mimics that.
Design concept 4 has a tight radius at the front bend and a more curved one at the back, basically it's the front of option 1 and the back of option 2. Option 5 (not shown) would be to trim the inner wheel arch in a semicircle as in option 3, but I haven't shown that.
I'm posting this to get your opinions - which option do you think I should build? Or is there some other option I haven't posted that you think would be better than these?
Before I start making the mold masters for the rears, I'm exloring a few design options. In all of the options below, the flat parts are still flat and the tops are level with the ground just like the fronts, and unlike the factory fenders which slope down from the body to the outside of the fender, so the overall look of the rears is the same as the front. But I've varied a few elements in each of these drawings.
In design concept 2, I've softened the radius of the bends a bit to match the bend radius of the factory fenders. The flat parts are still flat where the factory fenders are curved.
Design concept 3 has the same outer profile as concept 2, but the inside wheel arch is trimmed differently. The original Willys MB has front fenders exactly like these fronts, but doesn't have rear fenders at all - the tire is within the body so no flare/fender is required. But the wheel arch cut in the body is a semicircle, so this concept mimics that.
Design concept 4 has a tight radius at the front bend and a more curved one at the back, basically it's the front of option 1 and the back of option 2. Option 5 (not shown) would be to trim the inner wheel arch in a semicircle as in option 3, but I haven't shown that.
I'm posting this to get your opinions - which option do you think I should build? Or is there some other option I haven't posted that you think would be better than these?
JeepN95YJ
Adventurer
It wouldn't be too hard to adapt Jeep latches to the Excursion Rack. Perhaps pointless, but not too hard.
I planned to start work on the JK Retro Rhino project about six weeks ago, and I set up the parts in the workshop to start work back then, it's just that other projects have gotten in the way - I hadn't expected to have to build an Overland Rack prototype in time for EJS, I got sidetracked with the JK flat fenders, I've done several furniture projects for the house, etc. In a few days I'm leaving for EJS, hopefully when I get back I can begin cutting metal for the Retro Rhino.
What's in this photo below is a JK hood and an FSJ hood, they'll be cut/spliced to create a JK-sized mold master hood for making the fiberglass mold for the final hood. Also JK headlights mounted in FSJ headlight buckets with original FSJ trim rings, a very nice condition original grille emblem, original FSJ turn signals (I won't be using them though), and more modern looking smaller replacements for the original "pie plates" (I've got several very nice sets of original pie plates, but they're much too large for the scaled down design on the JK, which is the printout underneath everything).
Looks like Chris Durham has put together a kit.
https://chrisdurham.wordpress.com
TrailBadger
Banned
@Jeff I enjoy watching the process to which the fiberglass products are made.. but I've yet to see anything I like about the flat fenders. Will have to wait to see your next project.
Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
I've posted a concept drawing of what the rear flat fenders might look like before, but here's one showing the fenders in black as I molded them. The shapes, angles and radii of the rears are the same as the front fenders.
Before I start making the mold masters for the rears, I'm exloring a few design options. In all of the options below, the flat parts are still flat and the tops are level with the ground just like the fronts, and unlike the factory fenders which slope down from the body to the outside of the fender, so the overall look of the rears is the same as the front. But I've varied a few elements in each of these drawings.
In design concept 2, I've softened the radius of the bends a bit to match the bend radius of the factory fenders. The flat parts are still flat where the factory fenders are curved.
Design concept 3 has the same outer profile as concept 2, but the inside wheel arch is trimmed differently. The original Willys MB has front fenders exactly like these fronts, but doesn't have rear fenders at all - the tire is within the body so no flare/fender is required. But the wheel arch cut in the body is a semicircle, so this concept mimics that.
Design concept 4 has a tight radius at the front bend and a more curved one at the back, basically it's the front of option 1 and the back of option 2. Option 5 (not shown) would be to trim the inner wheel arch in a semicircle as in option 3, but I haven't shown that.
I'm posting this to get your opinions - which option do you think I should build? Or is there some other option I haven't posted that you think would be better than these?
I'd go option 2, if the front fender had a slight radius to match the rear.
I have another thought though.
What if you made the rear fender round. Since the original "flatty" just had a round cut out in the tub, a round fender would better match the Flatty concept.
Otherwise, i'd probably go option 1, just to "match" the utilitarian design of the "Flatty".
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Round ones is a good idea, and I'd do a drawing of them, but they just won't work on the JKU - the angled edge of the rear doors is so close to the body recess for mounting the fender that any more curve than the factory fender just won't fit. I probably could make that work on the 2dr, but also the curve on the top would have to peak almost at the top of the tub so the body recess across the top would be hidden, so even on the 2dr they might look awkward.
So far, of all the sources I've asked for input, here's the tally:
Option 1: 8
Option 2: 4
Option 3: -
Option 4: 3
And one person who said "I've yet to see anything I like about the flat fenders", so I'll count that as a vote for none of them.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
I saw a few Jeeps here in Moab today wearing Mopar High Top fender flares: https://www.quadratec.com/products/12514_1040_07.htm
According to that Quadratec page and to a number of threads on the subject, these flares allow fitting 35" tires without a lift, or 37" tires with 2" of lift.
They attach to the stock mounting holes without any trimming of the sheet metal. I looked closely at a Jeep today that had them to see how they attach and how much clearance they provide, and they attach exactly the same as my fiberglass flat fenders. Clearance is the same too, so even though I don't have a set of 35's here to test with, I feel confident in saying that the flat fenders will support the same tire specs as the Mopar High Tops: 35" tires without a lift , or 37" tires with 2" of lift.
According to that Quadratec page and to a number of threads on the subject, these flares allow fitting 35" tires without a lift, or 37" tires with 2" of lift.
They attach to the stock mounting holes without any trimming of the sheet metal. I looked closely at a Jeep today that had them to see how they attach and how much clearance they provide, and they attach exactly the same as my fiberglass flat fenders. Clearance is the same too, so even though I don't have a set of 35's here to test with, I feel confident in saying that the flat fenders will support the same tire specs as the Mopar High Tops: 35" tires without a lift , or 37" tires with 2" of lift.
02rangeredge
Adventurer
I'd say option 1, the rear radius looks off with the harsh angles of the front end
Scherb next time you are in AK I want to by you a beer and a burger. Hell Ill even take you fishing. If you want to visit the KB-29 site that will take some planning, but it can be done. But beer and burger or steak, I owe you.
ETA: maybe next time im in NY.
I still need to to put on the hinges and third bracket, but this fits the bill for what I have wanted. As it is it is strong, solid, and stable. Adding a CB antenna to the back on Friday. Couldnt be happier with this hack.
ETA: maybe next time im in NY.
I still need to to put on the hinges and third bracket, but this fits the bill for what I have wanted. As it is it is strong, solid, and stable. Adding a CB antenna to the back on Friday. Couldnt be happier with this hack.
Last edited:
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Scherb next time you are in AK I want to by you a beer and a burger. Hell Ill even take you fishing. If you want to visit the KB-29 site that will take some planning, but it can be done. But beer and burger or steak, I owe you.
ETA: maybe next time im in NY.
I still need to to put on the hinges and third bracket, but this fits the bill for what I have wanted. As it is it is strong, solid, and stable. Adding a CB antenna to the back on Friday. Couldnt be happier with this hack.
No burger necessary, I was very happy to help!! Glad it's what you wanted. I enjoyed helping with things like this, design is my hobby - whether it's designing things for my Jeep, products for companies, or things to solve other people's needs with their Jeeps, it's all fun for me
.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Yesterday I led Joel and his family in the Retrofit Offroad JKU through the 3D trail.
Me negotiating a ledge in the LJ-8.
The Retrofit JKU walking up a ledge, his 37's and 4.5" lift make these legdes much easier than for me with my 32's and 2" lift...
As you might expect the Retrofit Jeep is equipped with hardtop sliders, half door sliders, side mount Jerry (driver's) and Rotopax (passenger), and a 37" Tactical Spare Cover in Coyote tan (the tan hides the Moab trail dust well!). It's also got a TrailVision video camera/DVR system, a Storegate, ammo can holders in the cargo area, and other Retrofit and MORryde goodies.
Walking down a ledge like it's nothing. I scraped the trans skid plate and bottomed out on my trailer hitch on this one.
Me negotiating a ledge in the LJ-8.
The Retrofit JKU walking up a ledge, his 37's and 4.5" lift make these legdes much easier than for me with my 32's and 2" lift...
As you might expect the Retrofit Jeep is equipped with hardtop sliders, half door sliders, side mount Jerry (driver's) and Rotopax (passenger), and a 37" Tactical Spare Cover in Coyote tan (the tan hides the Moab trail dust well!). It's also got a TrailVision video camera/DVR system, a Storegate, ammo can holders in the cargo area, and other Retrofit and MORryde goodies
.Walking down a ledge like it's nothing. I scraped the trans skid plate and bottomed out on my trailer hitch on this one.
rubicon91
Explorer
Yesterday I led Joel and his family in the Retrofit Offroad JKU through the 3D trail.
Me negotiating a ledge in the LJ-8.
The Retrofit JKU walking up a ledge, his 37's and 4.5" lift make these legdes much easier than for me with my 32's and 2" lift...
As you might expect the Retrofit Jeep is equipped with hardtop sliders, half door sliders, side mount Jerry (driver's) and Rotopax (passenger), and a 37" Tactical Spare Cover in Coyote tan (the tan hides the Moab trail dust well!). It's also got a TrailVision video camera/DVR system, a Storegate, ammo can holders in the cargo area, and other Retrofit and MORryde goodies
Walking down a ledge like it's nothing. I scraped the trans skid plate and bottomed out on my trailer hitch on this one.
Looks great Jeff and Joel. Extremely Jealous. Enjoy your time out in Moab!!! One day One day