DIY Tube Fenders! (TJ Stretch Episode 6)
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- In today's episode, we are going to build our own aluminum tube fenders from scratch! We will be mounting them to some aluminum corner armor blanks from GenRight. The techniques I use in this video will carry over well to a steel tube fender as well. There is light at the end of the tunnel! This TJ is almost ready to hit the trail.
Enjoy!
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#diyfenders #jeepfenders #fenders
I love all of your aluminum. Too many people use steel for everything because it is easiest to work with. Unfortunately, it is also heavy and I see too many vehicles with much too much weight. They don't perform well and can actually be dangerous. You creative skills fabricating are really helpful. Thank you for sharing your tricks, shortcuts, and helping the rest of us build skills.
I'm a pretty big fan of aluminum lol. As I'm sure you can tell. I'm glad your enjoying the content brother!
You are the man Nate. Im waiting on the weather in Texas to cool down before I start a couple of projects because I don't have a shop and the heat is to much for me these days. You gave me quite a few ideas I'm gonna use. Thanks for the experience you really give us in your videos. Because you explain everything so well for me. Thanks again. Keep them coming
Thanks! Happy to help 👍 good luck on your projects brother!
@@DirtLifestyle thanks man love the channel
I've been watching your videos for a while now. I've recently moved to a place where I can start working on my YJ, and am picking up an XJ that will require some fab and work, to get me through the winter. I have to say I was a bit intimidated by welding, but watching your videos gives me some confidence that even I can do this! Thank you!
Really nice, clean work. Excellent workmanship and fabrication, with clear and logical progression.
Thank you! 👍
Thanks for another video man. Best jeep builder on the youtubes
Thank you!!!
Im a Toyota fan but watching you build, makes me want to build a TJ!
Lol thanks!
You're absolutely crushing it man! Easy to follow and explained in a way that just about anyone could understand, keep up the awesome work!
Thanks brother!!!
Those came out so nice Nate . You are one good fabricator sir !! Looking forward to your next video . Until next time take care .
Thanks buddy 👍
They look great for "eyeballin" it ;) Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Always nice when you build something yourself and save some money.
Thanks dude!
You're an artist Nate, made it look so simple and overall clean outcome
Thanks man! Huge compliment!
Dude. You make it look so easy.
Thank you!
Nice job Nate - methodical assembly.
Thank you sir! 🤘
This is awesome! Your videos keep getting better and better! Aluminum is awesome
Thank you man! I appreciate it!
Been excited for this since the last episode!
I'm sold on the spool gun! Awesome video nate
Thanks! It's a tool that doesn't get alot of respect unfortunately. There is alot of really good tig welders out there that will talk down to those of us that use a spool gun. I still think it's an outstanding tool that simplifies an otherwise complex problem. Sticking aluminum together is usually hard and a spool gun makes super easy 👍
@@DirtLifestyle I agree Tig is an art form but that spool gets the job done and I'm sold on it for when I want to start sticking aluminum together which is my next step !
Great video! This is gonna help me lots. Thanks!
I really like how that came out. Great job!
I absolutely love this build and channel! Keep up the good work!
Great content. Love the Bender bender.
Thank you!
Nice job on your fenders man. They look great!
I like what you are doing, and great job. When working with Aluminum its in your best interest to heat it when shaping it to prevent to much work hardening.
Damn Nate that was awesome. You could make bank doing custom work for other wheelers.
Thank you!
Another awesome video!! Awesome to see you are at 21k followers! I remember following when you first made the cannel I wanna say I followed when you were still at like 1000 followers!!
P.s. love bender from futurama on the side of you bender
Thanks man! The channel is humming right along. I'm glad to see people are enjoying the content! And bender is a savage, I'm a big fan lol
I really enjoyed following the process from nothing to finish product. I don’t have any vendors on my XJ but now I think it’s time to give it some thought
Glad to hear it man! That's the kind of content I try I produce. Homemade fenders can make or break the look of a vehicle. I would definitely take your time and be picky when you build your first set. Don't be scared to start over, your Jeep will literally be wearing the finished product lol
Awesome work
Thank you!
for future work, you might think about annealing the fender, which would make it easy to fit the curve of your pipe and it will become more rigid over time
The bender decal had me laughing - great placement. Those flares came out awesome and for only $80, total steal.
Good work !!
Thanks!
I really like your videos , you do great work that is nice to look at as well as very functional. Keep the great videos coming.
Thank you!
They look great!
Thank you!
Love your shop , you've accomplished a lot for a guy your age.
Thanks! I've worked very hard to get the things I want. I'm very lucky to live in a country that rewards workaholics like myself 😂
Great fabwork nate, love this stuff !
Thank you! Happy to hear it!
Dude I’m loving your videos!!!!
Thanks brother 🤘
Great job Nate! It is nice to see a fellow tradesman working on projects similar to what I hope to be building one day myself. Man you make it look so easy though!
Thank you! It just takes time to build. As a fellow tradesman, you already understand how important it is to build in the correct order! That's the hardest part!
I knew this was going to be an awesome video when i seen ya moving the axle on the jack. That's a serious jack. Love the fender. I'm thinking about doing a similar version from mid steel. With the price of the GR blanks, i'm.surprised ya didn't start from a piece of Al and bend it up - ya did everything else... just a thought.
Thanks for posting
Go get better - we want more videos....lol
Nice work Nate
Thanks mate. You game me a new hope.... as I’m on the way to modify my pickup 👍👍👍👍
Glad to hear it!
Thanks for sharing. Whiskey, a little lemon juice, some hot water, that will cure you. Get to feeling better.
I'm not even sick, and I might try that..
Cheers 🥃
Nice job 👍 you’re always building cool stuff 🤚
Thanks!
Excellent work as usual!
Do a sanded with a clear coat finish! Let that gorgeous aluminium shine!
Honestly, Id quit my job to do stuff like this every day.
Me too!
Same! When we opening a shop? Hahaha
i caught the pic of Bender on your tube bender...haha
Hey young man,
I ran across this video while watching a few other Jeep vids and I have to give you a thumbs up for your approach to getting the job done! I will say as a professional welder fabricator (40+ years and counting) you need a little help and instruction on your welds, especially your aluminum work, but they look good enough to hold things together!
I've watched several of your videos this morning, and am really impressed overall with not only your fabrication skills, but your overall knowledge...who knows I may be asking you a couple questions..🤣🤣
Very nice job overall, and you did gain another subscriber from a fellow welder/fabricator....
Razor!
Thank you very much for the kind words! I definitely don't think I'm a welder 😂. I'm someone who loves fabrication so much that I learned just enough welding to get the job done. One of these years I'm going to dedicate a the time into sharpening my welding skills/knowledge and becoming a more well rounded craftsman. But until them I'm going to continue to build everything I can! Thanks for watching! Happy as hell to have you as a sub 👍
@@DirtLifestyle
Your doing great..I would recommend getting some professional instruction weather it be from a certified welder, or taking a college course, that said, keep on keepin on and can I suggest you weld the things for your vehicles, and not weld on your friends rigs. I only say that because the consequences could be life changing. Just a suggestion young man, you seem like a very intelligent guy with a very bright future in front of you. I really don't want to see anything jeopardize that! If I lived closer, I'd be more that happy to share my skills and knowledge with you!
Take care kid...
Razor!
I never get involved in trash talk on these comments. BUT, I watched a couple short videos of yours and for 40+ years and counting of fab experience... You ain't got any room to talk shit.
@@jamesraym.7018
For what it's worth I'm supporting and encouraging this young man!!!
Furthermore I don't know of which videos your referring too....
I have been wondering about doing this myself on my TJ
I was thinking of just going with mild steel but ally would definitely keep the weight right down ! Plus I’d like to do a high line flair set up on both rear and front so thanks for the vid man !
Nice work as always man.
Thanks brother 👍
Ooow .. landrover ..😍pip pips and carryon
Looks awesome man!
Thank you!
another excellent video, thank you sir.
I really need to learn this thing.. Awesome man u did it👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼.
Great video! Love that you built the genders yourself (left that last comment on the wrong video 🤣🤦🏻♀️)
Thank you! Glad to see you guys watch my channel lol! Your always busy having adventures I'm suprised you have the time 😂
Looks great
Thank you!
Awesome channel, keep up the good work!
Thanks!
I'd love to see a J Truck trip make some time for yourself but bring the camera for that sweet j truck action
Me too! I'll be wheeling my TJ for 2 weeks in the south west in October. I plan on continuing to finish the j truck when I get back 👍
Come get stuck down here in Alabama
You might not need to do it, but if it helps sometimes if you have pre-bent samples of your aluminum tube just like you have for the steel tubing. This is because the springback of aluminum is different than steel. Just a thought for some of you out there doing this as well.
to bend aluminum sheeting use a acetylene torch and use only oxygen and blacken one side to medium heat it will soften the material you are using and it will bend a lot easier
Nice work!!
Thank you 👍
Looks awesome!
Quality my dude! Yessir!
Thanks!
I work at a shipyard in the sheetmetal shop.. I use a Miller 350p (wire feeder) on Everything ! I Also am a retired Navy Hull Tech. so i know stuff 🙂
Nate, just an FYI, and you may already know this, but despite being subscribed with notifications I have not been seeing your videos. After going to your YT page and watching your hi lift jack video suddenly my feed is loaded with all the videos I haven’t seen in my feed before.
We all know YT’s algorithms are whacked, so just wanted to let this be known in case your page traffic and views are down. Hopefully people will go find your videos to get them back in their feed like I had to.
Best wishes bud. Keep killin the content!
Thanks for the heads up! I did notice the views were down after the last algorithm change. I'm not sure how to correct that so I'm just constantly trying to make the best content I can. In theory that's how this is suppose to work anyway lol
Good work Nate 😎
-Nate
Thanks!
Very cool!
Making me want to put some aluminum armor on my xj. Gotta finish building my trailer first though🤔
Man that tj looks good.
Thanks bro!
Great lookin fenders man! I haven’t tried making fenders since my first Jeep haha
Thank you!
Gracias aportas buenas ideas para seguir aperendiendo todos los dias 🇵🇦saludos👍
I have not had a lot of luck heating aluminum to bend it. Course after a couple failed attempts I just stopped trying and go cold bend.
Im filipino and i have automotive workshop and you give me some ideas to put nice looking tube fender.Your jeep is good monster build
Thanks man! I appreciate it 👍
Maybe I missed it in another video but did you show or talk about cutting the rear body of your TJ for the new corner armor? Just curious on what you did for that.
It was already cut from the corner armor I made before. Very easy. Just trace the corner armor if you not cutting your own, or choose a path that looks good to you. Measure common points on both side to make it even and your done 👍
$80 compared to $500 well done buddy and they look really good too by the way I want some on my CJ5 front and back!
Thanks man!
As always awesome video!!! Do you have an outages reel....because it seems you never mess up....lol!!!!
Plenty of bloopers lol. I trip over my words alot but I have the luxury of editing it out. The fabrication usually goes smoothly but the words don't always come out in the right order 👍
Ha!!! I cNt form the words and my fab needs work too....😂😂😂. This is why I stay away from making videos
Hey man, have you experienced the issue with the evap canister and hoses located in the right rear corner of the right quarter? It’s located there on the 03 to 06 models and has made any kind of stretch seemingly impossible. I guess you can’t delete it because it caused pressure issues in the fuel system and will make the Jeep not pass emmesions. Any ideas even if second hand would be greatly appreciated. BTY , love the channel and your definitely growing into the gig.
Hey brother! I would find a spot to relocate it under the rig. It will be rough to find a spot but it can be done. And thanks! Slowly but surely I'm get more comfortable on cameras
Dirt Lifestyle . Thanks Nate , to be honest I’m ready to take the BFM to it but just stopped short🙄. Anyway thanks again , your stuff is RUclips university for a lot of guys like myself. 5 years ago I barely could change a set of brakes and now I’m on my 4 th re-build including a double axle swap , PSC hydro , ARB’s. I guess it was a double double axle swap because we I had to put my old ones into my buddies over a weekend. Anyway thanks for the response,it’s good to hear from folks who you’ve been watching.
lalabe glad to here I'm among the folks on RUclips that you enjoy watching! And that's great you have been self taught! That is my story as well. Keep biting off ambitious projects brother 🤘
Found this at a good time. I'm about to swap jk wrangler axles into my early bronco and do a lil wheel base stretch. Pissing off all the ford guys lol
Lol, that's a good swap man
Why on earth would you remove a heavy wall, HP, D44 front and a 9" rear for shitty JK axles?
@@derek6044 a bent low pinion dana 44 and blown 9" third never sure don't do me any good
Badass Man 🤙🏼👍🏼🏁
Really good job, where did you put your gaz tank?
In the OEM location 👍
Here is a video showing how
ruclips.net/video/DX-tdbisk20/видео.html
I'm no fab guy and by far a pro welder but I manage to get it done good enough lol. My question is will any mig welder accept a spool gun? Sorry if that's a dumb question
Not any welder. You will need to shoot an email to the manufacturer and see what options you have available. A TON of welders can use a spool gun but it is still circumstantial 👍
Where’d you move your evap system/canister to? 2002 came with it mounted inside the rear passenger side fender no? That’s where mine is in my 2003.
I swapped a Volkswagen diesel into my TJ a couple years ago. No evap canister anymore! But I believe my evap can was located under the hood. My TJ is a 2002 maybe your TJ is a new one with a different location?
Dirt Lifestyle ah. Yea a couldn’t remember what year the moved them. Must have been mine lol. Thanks. FWIW, I stretched my TJ 15” to LJ length but with a 108” wheelbase. I have a few build videos on my channel if your interested. Love the videos. Keep um coming. 👍
Did the ally tube bend as predictably as you thought compared to dom?
It was very similar to steel tube but it didn't spring back quite as much. 👍
Nice video Nate. Love this one especially since it dealt with Aluminum welding with a spool gun. I would get one, but my welder is an older Hobart and the model right before they started working with them.
Ever build a TJ window frame? :) I rolled today and destroyed the frame and windshield. I will probably just buy a junk yard one.
It was cracked anyways. Do you know of a TJ window that doesn't crack? Maybe a Plexiglas type that doesn't scratch or crack?
Thanks! After my rollover a few years ago I just bought a junkyard frame with a new windshield. I know there is a company that makes a plastic windshield but unfortunately I don't recall the name. Anyway I hope your ok! A rollover can be a very rude awakening in terms of the risks we enjoy offroad. It certainly was for me!
@@DirtLifestyle This is my 8th wheeln rig and I have rolled them all. One of these days I will learn how to drive. :)
ruclips.net/video/mZZTY0uHFHg/видео.html
Older video, but what size tube did you use for that rear flare? looks like maybe 1.5 from how it looks in your hand, but thats different for everyone
can you post the radius of the armor corners, want to see if I can fab it onto a samurai
So the compression of the suspension makes sense, but why do you need the other side at max droop?
Because as one side drops, it pulls in the top of tire in on the opposite side. This is the most travel it will see and believe it or not it's a little more flex then if I just flexed up one side. 👍
Nice work! Do you have any experience welding axle tubes to the pumpkin of a ford 8.8? All I have is a MIG, and I can't find a solid answer as to whether the housing is cast steel or cast iron and if I can use MIG or need some fancy nickel stick rods. Thanks
You will find mixed results with mig welding it. Nickel rod is pretty much a guarantee but I personally have had good luck heating the housing and using a mig. But you need to make sure you get it hot enough. 350 minimum 👍
Thanks for the info y'all. I'm probably going to break out the rosebud and take my chances Migging it.
What kinda aluminum tube are you using seemed to bend pretty decent
When you use a spool gun do you still use 70/30 argon co2 or 100% argon?
100% Argon 👍
Great question - thanks for asking that (I didn't know That I didn't know 🐒)
What tubing bender are you using for your projects?
It's a JD2 bender. Pretty nice peice of equipment 👍
Great video! What music did you use in the background? I really like the beat.
It's from a site call epidemic sound. It's where I get all my music 👍
That awesome
Hey what type of aluminum did you use for the top of the fender? How thick? Thanks in advance, I really like your channel
Nate rad video as always! What kind of music is this we’re listening to? I think it might sound good on the trail with the bass up. thanks
Thanks! The music is from a place called epidemic sound. It's a music service for video creators 👍
Like from Russia 🇷🇺 For You Bro! Thank you!
Thank you!
Looks great! Just curious, what's your new wheel base?
Thanks! The new wheelbase is 103". 10" over stock.
Is the aluminum tube 1.25" diameter for the rear fenders? Do you think wall needed to be that thick or is it just what you had laying around? Are the tubes 6061 or something else. I know this is an old video but I'm looking at making some fenders for my TJ. Thanks!
are spoolguns welder specific, or are they somewhat interchangeable.
(I've got a Eastwood 135 mig)
Welder specific. 👍
I'm sure you have coverd this, does anyone know what his wheelbase is? Starting my first build!!
Really enjoy your videos have a question, I have a XJ and friend of mine has a set of Dana 60s from a 78 Ford highboy how much work do you think is or would be involved to install them on my XJ ? Thanks
Tons of work. Definitely worth it but you will be cutting, grinding and welding all of your brackets to make the axles work with your suspension 👍
Holy fuck man, that stretch looks amazing!
Thank you! I'm pretty pumped up as well!
What tube size ,alloy and aluminum thickness?
still running rear drum brakes ?
Yes I am 👍