I can't take the credit for being the person to come up with this idea but it is functional and can be aesthetically pleasing at the same time. The nice thing about doing your own chop is that you can give your own Jeep a look all it's own depending on how wide or narrow you go and how you decide to chop the front of the flares to meet your own design.
Let's face it, aftermarket fenders aren't cheap whether they are plastic, steel, or aluminum. Would I like a set of steel or aluminum fenders? Yes. Do I want to pay the outrageous price for a full set? No. Will I? Eventually. Until then I decided to give the old fenders a face lift.
It all started with the thought that I wanted to keep as much width as possible while gaining some overall height in the wheel wells. I also wanted to keep a very nice line on the front of the front fenders without looking too hokey. Yes, I said hokey. You read it right.
This mod also falls under one of those cheap but functional mods. If you have factory fenders and a means to cut, as well as the cajones to do it then you can afford it!
Start by using blue painters tape to lay out your lines along the fenders. Remember to measure twice and cut once. Once you lay the tape out, it will give you a rough idea what it should look like with a little imagination.
The next step is the hardest step of all and that involves getting the courage to actually go through with the process. You spent all that time taping off you might as well go through with it at this point. Right?
I used a Dremel tool to cut mine as I felt it was more precise in the look I was going for. You can use a Dremel, a rotary saw, or even an air saw if you have one. Just take your time and don't get carried away. I also removed my inner liners before I started and then trimmed them to fit afterwards. I removed my rear liners all together and bed-lined the wheel wells.
Here are some pics of my process:
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