If you've invested any time moving through forums or even Instagram looking with built Cherokees, you've probably noticed exactly how notch customs xj flares stand out from the particular sea of bulky, bolt-on plastic choices. Most fender flares for the Vehicle XJ look like they were slapped on being an afterthought, but these are a completely different animal. They don't just sit on top of the sheet metal; these people basically redefine the particular entire profile of the Jeep, giving this a factory-plus look that's hard in order to beat if you're aiming for the clean, professional construct.
Let's be honest, the Vehicle Cherokee XJ includes a bit of a "boxy" problem whenever you start incorporating massive tires. A person either keep it low and apply your fenders natural, or you raise it to the particular moon and offer with a center of gravity that will feels like the bowl of Jell-O on the road. This will be exactly where the particular Notch Customs process changes the game. Instead of simply covering up the hack job exactly where you trimmed your fenders using a Sawzall, these flares require you to in fact rebuild the steering wheel well to gain massive amounts of distance.
The Between Bolt-Ons and Full Replacements
Many of us are usually used to the typical "cut and tuck" or the traditional pocket-style flares that will everyone and their own brother runs. Don't get me wrong, those possess their place, especially if you're on a tight budget or don't would like to get too deep directly into bodywork. But in the event that you're tired associated with the "stuck-on" appearance, you'll discover why individuals obsess over Notch Customs.
These aren't just pieces of plastic held on with a few self-tapping anchoring screws. They are high-quality, hand-laid fiberglass elements that are designed to be mixed into the body. Whenever people talk about the "X-Max" flares (which is what Notch calls them), they're talking about the mod that adds about 2 inches of width for each side and starts up the steering wheel well significantly.
The good part is the aesthetic. Most flares possess a distinct "off-road" appearance that screams regarding attention. Notch customs xj flares have a way of resembling they will could have arrive in the factory that way if Vehicle had ever made the decision to release a "widebody" version of the XJ. They will follow the body lines perfectly, that is a rare find within the aftermarket world.
The Reality associated with the Installation Process
I'm not really going to sugarcoat this: installing these types of flares is the serious project. This particular isn't a Saturday afternoon job that will you can topple out with the 10mm socket and a six-pack. Given that these are designed to maximize distance, you have to cut a substantial amount of metallic out of your own Jeep.
For the entrance, it's relatively straightforward—you're mostly trimming and fitting. But the rear is where the real work happens. Because the particular XJ is a good unibody, the rear fender is where the inner and external skins meet. Once you cut for these types of flares, you're basically separating those 2 layers. You'll want to do a few "pie-cutting" on the particular inner fender, collapse the metal away, then weld every thing back together to maintain the structural integrity of the entire body.
In the event that you aren't confident with a grinder along with a welder, you may want to aspect in the cost of a professional body shop. But with regard to the DIY audience who loves the challenge, it's incredibly rewarding. After the metal work is completed, you bond the flares to the entire body using structural backing. Some guys proceed the extra kilometer and use body filler to clean the transition, producing it look like one continuous piece of fiberglass plus steel. It's a lot of sanding, but man, the results are worth it.
Why Low Middle of Gravity Increases Matter
The particular main reason people search for notch customs xj flares isn't just regarding the looks—it's regarding the performance. There's a huge tendency within the off-road entire world toward LCG (Low Center of Gravity) builds. In the old days, if you desired to operate 35-inch tires on an XJ, you'd throw on a 6-inch lift plus wish for the best. The problem is usually that the 6-inch raise makes an XJ feel incredibly tippy on side-hills and sketchy at highway speeds.
Along with these flares, you can comfortably operate 35s or even 37s on a much smaller lift—think 3 to four inches. By keeping the heavy parts of the Jeep lower to the ground while nevertheless getting the tire measurement to flex out there on the paths, you get a much more stable rig. You obtain the ground clearance under the axles that you need regarding rocks, without the "top-heavy" feeling that will leads to white-knuckle driving on the way in order to the trailhead.
Durability and Materials Quality
One concern people frequently have with fiberglass is actually it can manage the abuse associated with the trail. We've all seen inexpensive fiberglass hoods or even fenders crack the first time a tree branch brushes against them. Notch Customs uses a pretty thick, heavy duty layup for his or her flares. They aren't cheap.
Whilst they aren't as "flexible" being a smooth plastic flare that might just flex and pop back into shape, they are incredibly sturdy. When you do happen to kiss a rock and roll or a shrub, fiberglass is in fact fairly easy to fix compared to specialized plastics. A small resin, some glass mat, and a few color, and you're back again in business. As well as, because they are usually bonded towards the entire body, they don't have got those gaps exactly where mud and salt can get trapped and start the dreaded XJ rear-quarter rust.
The particular Investment Factor
Let's talk money for a second. These flares are an investment. They aren't the cheapest option on the marketplace, and when a person add in the cost of color and potentially professional installation, the price tag can rise. However, you need to look at what you're getting. You're basically getting a widebody kit for a good off-road icon.
If you program on keeping your own XJ for the long time and you need it to be the cleanest rig in the particular parking lot, it's hard to warrant going any various other route. Cheap flares often fade within the sun, warp over time, or even just look dated after a few years. The particular notch customs xj flares have got a timeless look that really updates the 80s styling of the Cherokee into something that looks contemporary and purposeful.
Final Thoughts on the particular X-Max Look
At the end of the day, creating a Jeep will be all about individual preference, but there's something objectively impressive about a well-executed Notch Customs set up. It transforms the particular Cherokee from the boxy utility wagon into something which looks aggressive and planted.
It's definitely a "measure twice, cut once" kind of modification. You're making the permanent change in order to the body of your Jeep, and there's no returning once you start cutting those back quarters. But with regard to those who need the ultimate blend of tire measurement, stability, and high end aesthetics, these flares are the precious metal standard.
Whether you're creating a dedicated rock crawler or a clean overlander that nevertheless needs to handle grocery store duties, these flares provide you with the best of both worlds. You get the huge tires you would like without the skyscraper lift, and a person obtain a finished look that'll have individuals on the gas station asking what type of "special edition" Jeep you're traveling. If you're ready to put in the work, your XJ will thank you for it.