The details: I am the proud owner of an '07 Sahara Unltd. Minor mods: rugged ridge front and rear bumpers, winch, rock slider/steps, etc, etc. It's stock height with take-off rubicon 17" wheels and 255/75/17 rubber. It's my daily driver and I off road it rarely due to lack of trails, but not lack of trying.

The dilemma: I was thinking about a mild lift (2.5" coil spring). But I was wondering if I should just go with flat panel fenders. They're around the same price. The fenders won't sacrifice ride, but the lift will help compinsate for the extra weight. I would like to go with a bigger tire eventually, even if it's just width to avoid a re-gear.

Pros? Cons? Oppinions? Which should I choose?
**please don't just say "do both." I would like to, but not yet.
** I'm not cutting my stock fenders**

 

Cut your stock fenders for free?

 

Ehhhh, not a steady enough hand for that.

 

cut the stock.

 

Do all the prep work then get your friend / co-worker / neighbor do the actual cutting for you and spend $20 on some beer for him.

 

I just changed from a two door Rubicon to a four door Rubicon. The two door is fairly capable off road even with the stock suspension and the biggest tires that will fit without any lift. The four door, on the other hand, is really quite limited (despite Jeep calling it the "un"-limited) because of its length and too low stance. Just regular dirt roads with a few rocky areas are enough to make it drag its belly frequently.

I would suggest at least a 2.5" lift on an Unlimited that is going to be taken offroad even a little bit.

I'm also going to recommend against doing a hack job on the stock flares, because it looks like a hack job. You've got a nice Jeep, might as well keep it looking that way.

 

Cut Fenders.

Heres why:
1)You have 32 inch tires. They are going to look even smaller with a lift. No matter what you do with your fenders.

2)If you completely hate/F-Up the cutting of the fenders, you can just buy new ones and still be good with the same amount invested. And it wont change the ride, as you previously stated.

3)If you really like your cut fenders-THEYRE FREE-get on craigslist and buy some used bigger tires. Reason for this is, you might absolutely HATE the way it rides with a D sidewall and youre only invested 200-300 as apposed to $1200+. I bought my 35's with 30% left on them for $200. And i'm glad i did. Cause now i know i want 37s instead. Cheap feeler investment and i get bigger tires for about a year and a half.

4) If you like your new, used tires, sell your stockers. Take this money and put it towad your lift.

Now you have flat fenders, bigger tires, and a lift for the minimum amount of $$$$ Kick that around for a year or so, and then youll know exactly what you like, dont like, want, dont want. Then step up to all the store bought, over priced, pretty things with the manufactures name stamped everywhere. (I swear some of these parts out there look like Tommy Hilfiger clothing from the 90's. Its “Label City”!!)

 

If your stock springs haven't sagged then do the fenders. I did my fenders, then added my bumperst and winch and had bug sagging issues. I'm now lifting the jeep as well.

I don't like the look of the fender chip personally, but it is a very effective (and cheap) way to gain wheel well space.

 

I'd argue that you need to pick your lines better be it a dirt road or a trail. I ran my totally stock Sahara through some reasonably challenging trails and did not drag a thing.

I would also be willing to bet I travel far more dirt roads then 98% of the posters here and the only thing they left me desiring were terraflex speedbumps.

 

They hardly look like a hack job if done correctly and finished with door edge trim. I have gotten numerous compliments, including people askin me what brand they were and how much they cost. I'm trading my 2dr in tomorrow and the dealer ship manager even requested that I leave the chopped fenders on bc they looks so good. It's really not hard to chop them and any slight imperfections are covered by the door edging.