Hi all,

New to the site here and in need of information/advice. I purchased my 1997 4dr 4wd Jeep cherokee SE inline 6 on the west coast about a year ago with a reconstructed title. It is a 4 inch lift with 31x10 tires on it. I have never needed to do a vehicle inspection living in Oregon and Washington but have recently moved to Pennsylvania for a job. Upon moving here I went to get my plates and registration as a responsible citizen and knew about the vehicle inspection that would be required. Upon doing everything that was required and passing the inspection, I was informed after the fact of receiving my plates and registration that in order to receive my new title that I would also need to pass a second "enhanced" vehicle inspection. Until I pass this inspection my vehicle is deemed by the state illegal and can be impounded and ticketed if I am pulled over. This is where I am requesting advice. In order to pass an enhanced inspection, my tires stick out pass my jeep body by 4.25" and my stock fender flares are stick out past the body by 3" and therefore my tires stick out past my fender flares by 1.25". In order to pass my enhanced inspection I need to get my tires covered up. My options are to find a set of used stock tires and rims from some junk yard or replace my stock fender flares with 5" fender flares. The problem I have with finding a cheap set of tires and rims that would get me to pass is that I don't have time to spend driving around to all the salvage yards in PA and if I throw my old ones back on for better driving and handling after I pass because of my lift will get me a ticket if I get pulled over for not still being legal. So the way I see it is that I need to replace my stock fender flares but still don't want to pay an arm and a leg. I have done some searching around and love the bushwacker cut off's but I am looking to do this for about $200 or less plus I need to purchase the grinder to cut the fenders if it is required as I do not already have one. Just curious if anyone has any ideas, has had this problem before and what they did about it, or if there are any 5" fender flares for a 1997 jeep cherokee that isn't $400+?

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

 

You could check TJ fenders a scrap yard i think(keyword) they are wider.. Or take a piece of thick plastic and make a strip that sticks out another 1.25 inches. Just run it along the inside of the flare. Find some way to rivet it to the current fender... Just an option. Then when the time comes buy some real fender flares. I'm not sure about this option, if it will pass or not, but it shouldn't cost much and its easy enough to try.

 

They do make replacement flares for the stock ones, that are two inches wider. Fit, and look like org. ($50 ea.) I've seen them in some 4x4 parts catalog. (Quadratrac I believe, can't remember for sure.) But then you never mentioned the rims, your using. Or the backspacing?..JMO

 

Get some plastic lawn edging and install it with zip screws out far enough so you have coverage. Doesn't look too bad and easily removed. Save the rest of the roll for your next home improvement project.
Wanna spend more $$ try these Not a big issue here in MI. Tix for bumpers that are too tall are more common.

 

Thanks for the responses. I decided to go with the Pacer universal rubber fender extenders and rivet them to my existing flares which I didn't want to do but hey for $70 for the whole deal just to pass inspection I couldn't argue. Might not look as good but it should save me some money for brewing equipment for home brew and upgrading the displacement on my harley which.