How to Install Poison Spyder DeFender XC Negative Fender Flares - Bare Aluminum on your Wrangler

These installation instructions apply to the following Poison Spyder products: 

14-02-090 TJ DeFender XC (High-Line) - Negative Flares (Steel)
14-02-090-ALUM TJ DeFender XC (High-Line) - Negative Flares (Alum)
14-02-091 TJ DeFender XC (High-Line) - Zero Flares (Steel)
14-02-091-ALUM TJ DeFender XC (High-Line) - Zero Flares (Aluminum)
14-02-093 TJ DeFender XC (High-Line) - 3” Tapered Flares (Steel)
14-02-093-ALUM TJ DeFender XC (High-Line) - 3” Tapered Flares (Alum)

Please check your packages immediately upon arrival to ensure that everything listed is included, and to check for damage during shipping. If anything is missing or damaged, call Poison Spyder at (951) 849- 5911 as soon as possible. 

(1) Driver side DeFender™ XC
(1) Passenger side DeFender™ XC
(1) Driver side DeFender™ XC Side Insert
(1) Passenger side DeFender™ XC Side Insert
(1) Battery Tray Bracket

(1) TJ DeFender™ XC Hardware Kit
PN: HWKIT-14-02-093 includes:
(14) 5/16-18 x 3/4 SS BHCS

Thank you for purchasing Poison Spyder DeFender™ XC’s for your Jeep. Installation is fairly simple with the right tools and good mechanical abilities. However, some subsequent procedures such as re-mounting under-hood components, installing and wiring replacement turn signals, etc., are outside the purview of these instructions. If you are not confident in your mechanical skills or that you will be able to figure out and execute solutions to these problems on your own, please seek the help of a professional to perform the installation. Please read through these entire instructions before proceeding with installation. 

IMPORTANT: Completely install and remove the DeFender™ XC’s prior to painting or powder coating it. This will allow you to check for fitment or do any clearancing or fitting ahead of time, to reduce the chance of damage to the finish during final installation. Poison Spyder Customs Inc. is not responsible for costs for or damage to paint or powder coat finish under any circumstances, including paint or powder coat of incorrectly shipped or defective parts. 

1. Park vehicle on a level surface and set the emergency brake. Wear eye protection beyond this point.  

2. Remove the hood by unbolting it at the hinges, and set it aside.  

3. Remove the stock fender assemblies, which includes the inner and outer fenders. They are bolted to both the firewall and the grille (retain the OE hardware as it will be re-used with the DeFender™ XC’s). You will need to detach any components that are attached to the fenders, such as wiring for the turn signals, air intake filter housing, etc.

4. Disconnect and remove battery, battery tray, and battery tray bracket. Install the provided Battery Tray Bracket in the same position as the removed OE bracket, using the OE hardware. Reinstall the battery tray and battery, re-connect the battery. 

5. Loosen the front center body mount, located directly under the grill.  

6. Position the DeFender™ XC’s in place. Loosely install the OE hardware at the firewall and the grille. Check for proper position/alignment, then tighten all mounting hardware. Check and adjust alignment as you tighten the hardware. Re-tighten the front-center body mount.  

7. Install the Side Inserts using the provided 5/16- 18 X 3/4 SS button head cap screws. Note that the Side Inserts come with pre-installed nuts. The insert is designed to be placed on the inside surface of the DeFender™ XC, with the pre-installed nuts facing toward the center of the Jeep.  

IMPORTANT: This is an ADVANCED level installation. While bolting in the DeFender™ XC’s is fairly simple, some of the subsequent procedures needed to make things work may be complicated and require the installer to figure out how best to handle each item. Following are some notes regarding a few of these issues: 

• You will need to either modify your stock hood or purchase an aftermarket “highline” hood to work with the DeFender™ XC’s. If choosing to modify the stock hood, it will need to be trimmed by 3” along the bottom edge, on each side. Take careful measurements and take care with your cutting to ensure the best results. A pneumatic body saw or high speed cut-off wheel works well for this. You will also need to determine how you want to hold the hood down. To re-use the stock hood latches, you will need to drill the appropriate holes in both the hood and the DeFenders. Alternatively you may use hood pins. Details and procedures for either method are left to the installer.

• DeFender™ XC Inner Fenders are sold separately. If desired, it may be possible to re-use your stock inner fenders. We can not provide a detailed procedure for this as it will require some patience, measuring and cutting. One hint we can give is that you will need to leave a strip at least 1” wide along the top of the fender, outside of the lip under the hood. This will allow you to attach the inner fender using the existing holes in the DeFender™ XC. Hardware is not provided for this (it is provided in the DeFender™ XC Inner Fenders hardware kit).  

• You will need to figure out strategies for mounting any under-hood components that were previously mounted to the OE inner fender. In some of these cases it will be as simple as drilling a new hole in the DeFender™ XC Inner Fenders and using the OE bracket and hardware. Other items may require more creativity or fabricating a bracket.  

• Re-using the stock air intake box may be a challenge. Until we develop a more suitable solution, we recommend using a conical K&N style intake filter, which is more compact and easier to mount under the hood.  

• DeFender™ XC’s are intended for off-highway use. If you are going to be using them on public roads, you may need to re-install turn signals, marker lights, etc., in order to be legal in your area. We leave this issue up to the discretion of each installer. If desired, it is possible to install a small 3/4” round LED lamp in the front corner of the DeFender™ XC near where it attaches to the grille. Our standard DeFenders™ come with a hole in this location to accept the small LED lamp, however we leave the space blank on the XC’s so that installers may choose whether to run the lamp. To install the LED lamp, simply drill a 3/4” hole in that location. The 3/4” LED lamps are available from Poison Spyder.