Plastic DIY Rear Wheel Well Liners / Jeep Cherokee XJ

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

I imagine this video is not for everyone and personally I totally understand why. But if your interested in under armour, splash guards and rock rash protection for an overland style/daily driver build that also tackles moderate off-roading this may be worth considering. With winter tires on arrival the Jeep XJ is almost ready to leave the garage and head out into the snow for some exploration and camping. The rear quarter panel armor is mounted and the fenders are built but further protection is required to make the vehicle more maintenance free for longer. I am a big believer in putting a physical barrier up between your tires and rock rash provided its done right and in this video I will be building rear wheel well liners for the rear of the Jeep XJ. Many thanks for watching. Mike

[@russjowett2137]

Hi Mike. Fantastic video! Thanks for sharing. The extent you have gone too in sanding and re painting/rust proofing on the underside of the Jeep. This totally makes sense. Otherwise all your hard work will be destroyed in a few hundred miles of gravel roads. This protection will clearly make it last a very long time. The video has great detail as always. Really helps when replicating your ideas for us viewers. I sent you an email with some pics of my build. Not sure if you got it or not. On another note. There are 3 or so scrap yards here in Calgary which get Cherokee’s in there every other week( which is very sad!). But if you need any particular parts let me know and I will try and find them for you when I’m in there. Not going to be any RH drive diesel ones. But hey. There might be other small parts your after. I did a 2001 Jeep Liberty disc brake conversion on my Chrysler 8.25 rear axle. Needed longer axle studs for the mounts. The caliber mounting brackets. New liberty callipers and pads from Amazon. Brake proportion valve from the Liberty. And I also had to replace the wheel studs on the axle shafts because the disc surface is thicker than the drum. Then made my own rear brake lines. Was also able to use the Xj factory hand brake cables with a small modification to the spring where they attach. The difference in braking performance is massive. Especially in 2wd on icy roads. I noticed before the rear disc conversion when the Jeep is in 4wd the fronts brakes definitely help all 4 wheels stop better due to the drive shafts being locked together. Now with the rear disc’s and in 4wd the braking is more than sufficient. Looking forward to your next video. Cheers 🍻

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

@@russjowett2137 The disk brake conversion is an absolute must for me. The jeep is 2 tons now and the larger tires make it much slower at stopping. Thanks for the heads up on the studs, I plan on doing the conversion and you just never know what problems await you. I didn't get any pictures of the build? was the email the [e-mail] or the info one? I will take a look again and see if its in spam or something. Ah man, that is a shame about the scrap yard. One day there will be few left and parts will be rare! One part I am struggling to find is the Headlight Position Motor that sits behind the bumper under the light housing. There are two units, one each side. I've looked on USA eBay but I cannot find anything. If do you happen to know someone with some or come across some one day then do let me know! Thanks again for watching and for he comment! Hopefully this work pays off.

[@russjowett2137]

@@WorkshoptoWilderness Hi Mike. I sent you a couple of emails to that email address. Let me know if you get them. Do you know if the headlight height adjust motor was a European Xj spec item? Never heard of that before or seen one on a us/Canadian XJ. But I suspect the grand Cherokee might have that on them. I will do some research. And see if the parts are interchangeable. Even more grand Cherokee’s in the scrap yards over here. 👍

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Sadly not, unless thier so long that there an inch off the ground. I ran flaps for years of all lengths and they were kind of useless.

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Ah so like an extra hole for another antenna?

[@alexzipp585]

This channel is highly underrated.

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Thanks for watching!

[@Mauser1965]

My '87 will never be this built, but I'm bookmarking it for reference as I want to make some runners for the back as to keep any build up clear as much as possible. Thank you once again.

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

They are a good investment as it keeps the rock rash down. Mine do collect some dirt when I'm spinning wheels in the mud, but keeping them distant from the jeeps body means I just jet wash them out. Hope the build goes well and thanks for watching.

[@GrizzlyPath]

49 minute video! It must be Christmas!

[@tomcat1557]

Mate, your Jeep blows my mind every time. A true testament to the XJ 2.5 TD. The hours poured into the build must be astronomical

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Thank you! Its certainly not perfect but its all working progress. I've probably worked on this think every week for six years. its nice that all the restoration work is over, its more fun to focus on the building of bumpers and other parts. Thanks again!

[@wilsoncampos5012]

Greetings from Peru friends always following your videos, also a greeting from the whole group called jeep team perú for all of you, God bless you.

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Thanks for watching!

[@williamcritcher4755]

Mike your attention to details is amazing! It shows in every video you’ve ever posted. WELL DONE brother.

[@CherokeeXJLovers]

awesome! Great job

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Thanks for watching and Merry Christmas.

[@twarken5078]

You’re the man, Mike! Thanks for all of your videos, it’s very much appreciated. 👍🏼

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Thanks for watching!

[@saulgilsenan8122]

Fantastic. Sometimes your videos are the only thing that get me motivated to carry on with mine. A lot of work goes into these for sure and I can only imagine the 1000s of hours it took to get yours where it is. Brilliant.

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

I don't think I could have the energy to do it again. I'm calling it done for a while now apart from small fun jobs. Thanks for watching and Merry Christmas.

[@Adya_shan]

Mike, there is not such a guy in the whole world who would be such an inspiration for me as you are. I've been building my XJ since one year knowing deeply in my heart that it's going to last a few more, but the effect seen on your Jeep amazes me and inspires to keep doing what I've been doing. THANKS for sharing this stuff. I'm truly grateful for your presence! :) Hope one day mine is gonna look even beter than yours! :)

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

I'm flattered honestly. Thank you for the comment and also for watching! I can honestly say I hope one day yours dose look better than mine, then share me some photos so I can take some inspiration. Its certainly come a long way from the day I bought it but I have enjoyed almost every part of it. A constant challenge and at the end of it all a home away from home that can take you almost anywhere. Thanks again for watching and hope the build is going well!

[@Adya_shan]

Thanks man!

[@zxej6879]

Your videos are very interesting. And I like your choices and craftsmanship. We have several vehicles at my house. A Jeep Zj, a couple of other SUV's, and several pickup trucks. I tried the ST Maxx tires on the stock rims of my '16 Ram 1500 Quadcab 4wd Ecodiesel. Just to get a feel for the tall & narrow tire concept. The traction was awesome. They sank in soft terrain more than I was comfortable with. But the truck never got stuck. I did get the tires siped for better pavement and rock traction. For me they worked well on snow and ice. But I went with 33" APT tires from general for better overal traction and stability. My ZJ has 255/70-15 General AT 2 tires. Never had to use the tire chains. Studs are not allowed where I live. But allowed in some of the mountain counties.

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Sounds like quite fleet of vehicles. My wife has a nice ZJ that I'm trying to work on gradually. The ST Maxx is a heavy tire I think and it does seem to like to dig, but I guess that's not a bad thing in some cases. I find the chains help but they are time consuming to put on and I must admit I cant always be bothered. Appreciate you watching and thanks again

[@guy-zw3sz]

Great video , live in Washington state where we have salt in the rain. salt on the roads in the winter with mag chloride lots of rust here on the coast. Just bought a 1999 XJ need to do this. I think I might try cardboard template first I know I will screw up a couple pieces of plastic if I don't . P.S. Jeep up the good work 😉👍👍

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Sounds like a good move. That thin foam roll mat stuff is awesome stuff to template with if you can get a load cheap. flexes nice and hols in place with good magnets. Thanks for watching.

[@shaunmccaw2911]

Your attention to detail is like nobody else well impressed and a bit jealous 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Thanks for watching and Merry Christmas.

[@joshuakent3972]

I really should make splash guards for my Jeep. It's basically stock compared to yours I have a 3in lift, I like to take it on the beach and guards would help a ton

[@vagabondquerier9375]

Thanks for the great vid. Great timing and length for this holiday. Have an awesome holiday with your growing family. Thanks for sharing your talent and time.

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Thanks for watching and Merry Christmas.

[@JonasK01]

Put The mudflap under The innerwheelvell plastic. So water dosent get between them. Greetings from Piteå.

[@mikethedude2465]

Aye man just found your channel and this is exactly what I need. Appreciate what you have done to your xj and I plan on doing a very similar build on my 2 door. Again thank you for the insight an all the work you've done to make the videos.

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Thanks for watching! Ah nice, love two doors, very rare here in Europe.

[@constructiontech1970]

Fantastic Mike! Ive been trying to find decent wheel well liner videos for my XJ.

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Ah nice, glad I could help out. Merry Christmas also.

[@north.by.northeast]

Excellent bodge in the truest sense i.e. most definitely not a botch; and interesting (maybe) that "bodge" comes from the traditional bodgers who worked with green wood in forests :)

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

I never knew that. Was Bodger from 'Bodger and Badger' a green wood worker? Thanks for watching and for the comment!

[@north.by.northeast]

Haha that takes me back, and Barney Bodger from Tickle on the Tum though that's perhaps before your time! Considering their skills (ahem) it's no wonder bodge is associated with a 'half-baked' job :D And thank you for continuing on with these videos. God Jul!

[@silboersma4774]

Great video! Merry Christmas Mike. Hope you have a great time with the fam!

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Thanks Sil, Merry Christmas to you and the family also!

[@corheeremans2820]

Great jobs you doing, I like those things.

[@jared2235]

always cap your nuts presentation is everything :D

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Appreciate that! Was a nightmare to edit 😅

[@ifell3]

Love your channel. I have noticed you can get the white plastic they use on rally cars but don't get it from the rally shops by it from eBay by its name.

[@paulscomedyclips]

Love your content and your jeep is awesome! Great job!

[@aledastle2288]

Another great video Mike enjoyed watching again, nice to see these things being done to the Cherokees as no one else has made them until now only issue is all the things you’ve done I want to do hahaha but learning from your videos Mike so I can only thank you for making them

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Haha that's always the way isnt it. I'm the same when I watch videos on here. Thanks for watching and have a Merry Christmas

[@Rufusthehound]

Wishing you a wheelie merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@OneLifeOverland]

Your videos are always quality to be fair mate. I don't know how you find the time with work and family too because as well as the actual recording you must spend a fair bit of time editing aswell. The videos I knock up for YT look like they're made a by 5 year old! Keen to see the Jeep back out on the road too and with your accommodation setup.

[@theneanderthal6854]

You should sell these! Rock sliders underneath slick design!

[@blott-mtb5528]

Your turbo doesn’t have a wastegate? That is usually where you plum the psi or bar gauge. That or some type of boost solenoid that already controls the boost pressure

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

The turbo has a mechanical wastegate. I never through to plumb it in there. oddly enough the instructions say to tap the manifold post turbo and I drove it today and it did give what appeared to be an accurate reading. I will look up some videos and see what I can do! Thanks for the heads up and for watching.

[@GrizzlyPath]

For the type of driving I do I don’t necessarily want to add the weight from skid plates, BUT I wonder if skids can help when in deep snow. Today a pal and I were wondering if some “skids” made of UHMW plastic like your wheel wells would make a difference. Smooth out the bottom in some places...

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

I expect they would, basically like a snowboard. Its pretty light stuff so in the right places it would help slide you over im sure. I'm going out to do some winter camping soon so I will film a vid and see how she tackles the deeper snow. WInch and shovel on hand. Thanks for watching,

[@javierlombarte9258]

Good job!!! I like te content!!!

[@CasualWeekends]

I Just find your channel. You gave me a few ideas ;-) for my XJ ! I wish one day maybe we will ride together ;-)

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Thanks for checking out the channel. I will have a look at your also. Always good to get ideas from other builds. I'm based in Sweden, where are you? Thanks for watching.

[@CasualWeekends]

@@WorkshoptoWilderness Greece Thessaloniki :) 😎👌🏻🤘🏻

[@TaylorFeist206]

Ahh great video, I have an xj in the same color and similar build. Do you know where to get some Jeep mud flaps like those? I'll give ebay a try. Cheeers

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Thanks for watching! I got them from ebay quite a few years back. I looked for them again recently to get another set, as mine are old, but sadly I can't find them. I guess there must be something similar

[@gatordave6629]

What are these plugs you mention? Did you tap a hole with a threaded tap or weld a nut in place? Possibly rive nuts?

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

They are revit nuts. Like a threaded revit basically.

[@justinweavers2781]

Would you reccomend doing this with thinner plastic, so it would be easier to mold? Or is there a reason why you chose the liner to be so thick?

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

You can certainly use thinner plastic. I use to use 1mm and it held up fine for well over four years. I just like the look of this stuff and it holds its shape and doesn't make too much noise when the stones bounce off it. Thanks for watching.

[@roland1041]

Thank'sssss

[@Mr09worthy]

Mike im sure you've said before..but is that a workshop you have made at your house or was it there before hand? Loving these vids lately. Your a very handy man!!

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Its basically a swedish cold garage. Its like a three roomed shed. The first part is for a car, the middle part lawnmower and bikes and the last part is logs. You can insulate it but then I would need to build in ventilation and change the roof so its easier to run the diesel heater just for when I want to work in it. I didn't make it though, was there when we bought the house. Its okay but I think in the future I would like a bigger one. Thank for watching

[@fiskepinnerproduction2770]

Hei. can u find out what cind plastik sheet ur using ? exact name if u can ... TY

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Its not something you can get easily. I bought mine from a local sled dog company. I would just get yourself a sheet of 1mm black plastic sheet

[@inthemusic0075]

Have a link to the wheel well liner you used?

[@gatordave6629]

Any ideas where I could find this plastic for myself?

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

I bought it from a sled dog company but I would recommend ebay. You can order it in large sheets of 1mm thickness.

[@gatordave6629]

@@WorkshoptoWilderness any chance you could tell me what to search for on ebay or possibly copy a link I have looked and can't find anything I appreciate your help and love your channel always responsive and helpful

[@javedjames299]

I didn’t catch what material of plastic did you use

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

Its the same material they use on the bottoms of dog sleds in the snow. Its been so long since i made these I cant remember what it is. Polyuretan! That's it.

[@Int3rn3tThug]

Where did you buy the plastic for these? I can’t find any anywhere

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

I bought mine in town from a sled dog company but your best is ebay. 1mm plastic sheets are sold on there.

[@Int3rn3tThug]

@@WorkshoptoWilderness I actually found a roll on summit racing so I am hoping that will work when it comes in. Thank you for the help

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

@@Int3rn3tThug Ah good stuff!

[@adamcarty8970]

We’re can I get these mud flaps ?

[@WorkshoptoWilderness]

I picked them up off of ebay, but sadly I just cannot locate them any more as it was many years ago. Thanks for watching.