Bushwacker Flat Style Fender Flares for Jeep Cherokee XJ
Our flat-style fender flares for the Jeep Cherokee XJ bring bold off-road styling and extended tire coverage to your classic SUV. Engineered for the 1984-2001 XJ platform, these flares provide the coverage you need when running larger tires while maintaining the aggressive, low-profile look that flat-style enthusiasts demand.
We manufacture every Bushwacker flat fender flare for the Cherokee XJ using Dura-Flex 2000, a proprietary thermoplastic formulation developed specifically for automotive exterior applications. This material resists UV degradation, impact damage, and thermal cycling far better than rigid ABS or untreated polyethylene — critical traits when your flares face desert heat, winter freeze, and constant rock strikes on the trail.
Factory-point installation for XJ platforms
No-drill mounting process
Our flat-style flares for the Jeep Cherokee XJ install using existing factory holes along the fender lip and rocker panel — no new drilling required. Each kit includes stainless steel bolts, washers, and plastic push-pins that match OEM specifications. You’ll remove the stock fender liner clips, position the flare against the body, and secure it with the provided hardware working from front to rear.
Most XJ owners complete installation in 90 minutes to two hours using basic hand tools: a 10mm socket, Phillips screwdriver, and trim panel tools for the liner clips. We include step-by-step instructions with exploded diagrams showing every mounting point and the correct torque sequence to prevent stress cracks at the bolt holes.
Tire clearance & suspension compatibility
The Bushwacker flat fender flares for Jeep Cherokee XJ extend coverage by approximately 1.5 inches per side measured from the factory sheetmetal edge. On a stock-suspension XJ, this clearance accommodates 31×10.50 tires on 15-inch wheels with a 3.75-inch backspacing without rubbing at full lock or compression.
With a 3-inch lift and proper wheel offset, you can clear 33-inch tires under these flares — most XJ builders running 33s on 4.5-inch backspacing wheels report zero contact during articulation or highway steering. If you’re planning 35-inch rubber, you’ll need additional trimming of the inner fender well regardless of flare choice, but our flat-style design still provides legal coverage for most state fender laws.
XJ flat flare specifications
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Customer reviews
Common questions about Bushwacker Cherokee XJ flares
Yes, our flat-style flares fit all Jeep Cherokee XJ models from 1984 through 2001, including Base, Pioneer, Sport, Country, Limited, and Classic trims. The mounting points remained consistent across the entire XJ production run, so you’ll get a direct bolt-on fit regardless of your specific year or trim level.
The only variation you might encounter is fender liner compatibility on pre-1997 models, which didn’t come with factory liners. The flares themselves still mount perfectly, but you may want to add aftermarket liners or trim the inner lip slightly to prevent debris buildup in the fender cavity.
No drilling is required. Our flat-style fender flares for the Cherokee XJ use existing factory mounting points along the fender edge and rocker panel. The kit includes all necessary stainless steel bolts, washers, and plastic push-pins that align with the OEM hole pattern.
You’ll remove the stock fender liner clips, position each flare against the body, and secure it with the provided hardware. Most installations take 90 minutes to two hours using basic hand tools like a 10mm socket and Phillips screwdriver.
On a stock-height Cherokee XJ, our flat-style flares provide clearance for up to 31×10.50 tires on 15-inch wheels with approximately 3.75-inch backspacing. This setup gives you full steering lock and suspension travel without rubbing on the flares or inner fender wells.
If you’re planning larger tires, you’ll need a suspension lift. With a 3-inch lift and proper wheel offset, you can clear 33-inch tires under these flares without additional trimming in most cases.
Yes, the Dura-Flex 2000 material accepts paint when properly prepped. We recommend cleaning the flare surface with a wax-and-grease remover, then applying a plastic adhesion promoter before spraying with flexible bumper paint or automotive urethane.
The textured finish provides mechanical grip for paint adhesion. Many XJ owners have successfully painted these flares to match factory colors or custom schemes, and the paint holds up well to washing, weather, and trail use when correct prep steps are followed.
Our flat-style flares extend coverage by approximately 1.5 inches per side measured from the factory sheetmetal edge. This adds about 3 inches to the overall width of your XJ when you account for both sides.
The low-profile flat-edge design keeps the flares tight to the body, so you won’t experience the bulging look of pocket-style or OE-style flares. This makes them ideal for narrow trail situations where you need tire coverage without adding excessive width to your vehicle’s footprint.
Yes, our flat-style flares meet fender coverage requirements in all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces when properly sized to your tire setup. Most jurisdictions require coverage extending to the tire tread centerline or beyond, which these flares provide for tires up to 31 inches on stock suspension and 33 inches on lifted setups.
If you’re running larger or wider tires, verify your specific state’s coverage measurement method. The flares provide a solid legal foundation that can be supplemented with minimal trimming if needed for aggressive tire sizes.
Each kit includes four fender flares (front left, front right, rear left, rear right), all stainless steel mounting hardware (bolts, washers, captured nuts), plastic push-pins for liner attachment, closed-cell foam gaskets for weather sealing, and detailed installation instructions with diagrams.
You won’t need to purchase any additional hardware or components to complete the installation. Everything required for a secure, weather-sealed mount is included in the box.