D.I.Y. High Hood Tube Fender Build

[mhubacek]

Started putting my High Hood Tube Fenders together yesturday. The kit cost $350 through a local guy here in Olympia, WA. The kit came with all the brackets, tubes, and plates, bent and cut to fit my 72' CJ5. They came a little long, so cutting for a perfect fit is necessary. I also purchased the kit with the optional 3" tube flares. The rest of my photos weren't uploading right, but here is a pic of the old fenders off my CJ, and the parts laid out ready to test my novice metal working skills!
I'll try to get pics loaded tonight of the progress I've been making on it. Welding/Cutting tips gladly appreciated!



The pic of the wrangler is what the fenders should look like when completed. Also, if you didn't notice, the hood has to be cut, to allow for the height of the fenders.

[BrockGrimes]

Looks like a good project.
Look forward to the pic's.

[kicknjeep]

looking forward to seeing the end results, Oh and love that color.

[Old Dog]

are you going to notch the hood like the tj in the pic.?

[mhubacek]

Yes, I have to notch the hood for the fenders to fit. I'm going to use Hood Pins on top of the hood, since the section on the hood that normally holds the hood down will be cut. And I'm looking to get rid of that color, one piece at a time! The tube fenders will be black. Eventually, The jeep body will be smooth bedliner black.

[Petescj]

Sweet!! Ive been waiting for this thread. Cant wait to see them on a Cj with the hood notch.

[mhubacek]

Here is the tube fenders being mocked up and measured. Lots of cutting, and recutting, and grinding, to make everything fit. I'm just tacking everything until everything fits just right.
First piece.

The cross tube was already knotched for me, so all I had to do, was cut the side that welds flush to the firewall. It looks slightly angled, but I sware I used a level!

I tacked this, then realized I can't drop the hood to see exactly where I need to cut the hood, so I'm going to have to take this back off, and drop the hood to trace where I need to cut.

Here is the tube fender flare. I had to knotch it with a grinder.
It took me at least an hour, and it's still not perfect. I think my 3" fender flares are now 2"!!


That's my day, I never thought working with tubing would be so hard. The guy that I bought them from was really helpful, and even came by to give me a little help. He told me he could measure, bend tube, weld, and install in half a day. This may take me a week or two.

[mredjeep]

That's a nice look !

[mhubacek]

Didn't get too much accomplished today. I had to work. I did however, get the top plate off, and cut and welded the side steel panel on the fender. I'm sure having fun with this, and starting to understand the welding process a little better. Thanks for the help in my other thread, "Tube Knotching."

[essexmo]

in that last pic it looks like you need another peice of tube to tack to to strenghten the top also rember to drill drain holes if there not there already