Start by unbolting the old fender. You will remove it, and reuse the inner fender. It's easy. 3 bolts secure the underside of the outer fender to the grill. 3 more bolts secure the underside of the inner fender to the grill. 1 bolt secures the above fender to the grill. Remove these and save for later.
DeFender install pictures (lots)
Enclosed are a lot of pictures of my DeFender install. Pretty basic stuff. Tools needed to complete the task are a socket and wratchet, a cutting instrument, and a file. I chose a 4.5" grinder with a cutoff wheel. Works really fast. The file is to smooth out the edges.
My apology in advance to the fine folks at Poison Spyder Customs. I didn't read their instructions. Actually, I didn't even OPEN their instructions. So there is probably some things YOU can do better.
Overall time in the install, from start to finish was around 3 or 4 hours, not counting the time at the body shop for paintwork.
To the moderator: If I've posted this in the wrong section, please move it. Thanks. TreeClimber
Finished pictures.
My apology in advance to the fine folks at Poison Spyder Customs. I didn't read their instructions. Actually, I didn't even OPEN their instructions. So there is probably some things YOU can do better.
Overall time in the install, from start to finish was around 3 or 4 hours, not counting the time at the body shop for paintwork.
To the moderator: If I've posted this in the wrong section, please move it. Thanks. TreeClimber
Finished pictures.
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Now is when I disconnect the battery, and un bolt the top accessories from the engine bay, and set them on top of the motor, as best you can. (In my case, I've already done an engine swap, and most of my accessories & wiring will be different from yours)
Then unbolt the battery tray from the battery tray support. It's four bolts in the inner fender. Since the battery is also out, unbolt the battery tray from the battery support. Then unbolt the 4 bolts which secure the fender to the body tub. The battery support bracket is then removed from the tub with 5 bolts.
Then unbolt the battery tray from the battery tray support. It's four bolts in the inner fender. Since the battery is also out, unbolt the battery tray from the battery support. Then unbolt the 4 bolts which secure the fender to the body tub. The battery support bracket is then removed from the tub with 5 bolts.
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Congrats! You now have your fender in your hand. In my case, I've already removed my fender flair, and, as you will notice from the pictures, I have a blue fender and a green fender intermingled in some pictures. Don't ask. Anyhow, it's cutting time! I used 1" masking tape to mark out my cut lines. The outer fender is to be shed, but you want to have a lip that is used under the DeFender, so the one inch overlay will allow you to have a smooth (factory-like) transition from factory to aftermarket. You want that 1" of painted surface. Don't cut on the inner tape line, but the outer tape line. (sorry about the glare in the pic) You cut the line on the inner fender, right at the corner. The two cut lines are joined at the top. You then notch out that little piece under the bolt hole in the last picture.
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Here's what your new fender looks like now.
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Now install your DeFender outer fender, just like you removed your old fender. Once it's loosely bolted up (snug at the body, loose at the grill), slide your new inner fender inside the DeFender and loosely bolt it to the grill. Coax the two together, and hold tight. I used my TJ bottle jack, from the shock front shock tower to hold everything so I could drill my holes. Drill 1/4 inch holes, bolt together with the provided hardware.
You can also see the discard pieces from the fender. Disregard the big hole in the fender top, that was a test hole for my new front blinkers.
(I also forgot to put drill on the tool list from post 1)
You can also see the discard pieces from the fender. Disregard the big hole in the fender top, that was a test hole for my new front blinkers.
(I also forgot to put drill on the tool list from post 1)
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Here's some fit and finish pictures of the underside, plus the blinkers. The DeFender comes with the 3/4 LED light hole, prepped, in the corner. I sourced my LED locally, but wish I had just ordered it with the fender. The larger lights were done for aesthetic reasons, as I have matching rear lamps already.
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Here's a comparison, of the old fenders' spacing between the tire, and the DeFender.
(You can see in the last pic, where I trimmed my nurf bars back. They'll get re-done at a later date. They are homebuilt bars)
(You can see in the last pic, where I trimmed my nurf bars back. They'll get re-done at a later date. They are homebuilt bars)
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And here's what the TJ looks like, with the DeFenders:
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tested:
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