MetalCloak Overline Rear Flare Mounting ExoSkin, Black Powder Coat, Jeep Wrangler JK 4-Door (pair)

The rear quarter panel on a JK is thin body sheet with nothing behind it. One rock while manoeuvring, or the vehicle sliding onto a ledge, and you have a dent that cannot be worked out without stripping half the rear.

The ExoSkin is 1/8in steel plate (3.2 mm) bolted over the factory skin — literally a second skin. But it is not just armour. It has the mounting system for the Overline rear flares built in: the aluminium brackets and all the hardware are already there.

The manufacturer puts it plainly: "The weak body of the JK requires the use of the rear Exo-Skins so that we can raise the Dovetailed fender and gain all that additional clearance!" — and states the result: 37in tyres on a stock JK.

⚠ The manufacturer's photos show the ExoSkin fitted together with Overline rear flares. The flares are not part of this kit — they are a separate item (see below). The ExoSkin on its own works as armour and looks as pictured, in black.

Two jobs in one part

• Armour. 1/8in plate bolted to the skin stops the rear quarter being the weakest panel on the vehicle. The manufacturer: "add a TON of additional strength by plating the sheet metal with 1/8" steel". One reviewer describes it from the other end: he dented a weaker aftermarket fender and got lucky that the body panels themselves were not damaged — and bought the ExoSkin off the back of that.
• The flare mounting system. The hardware that carries the Overline rear flares is built into the plate. That is what lets the flare sit higher than the factory arch — and that is where the tyre clearance comes from.

⚠ This is the 4-door version only

The manufacturer's table: "2007 - 2018 JK Wrangler Unlimited". The plates are cut to the JKU rear quarter. There is a separate part number for the 2-door (3411) — we can order it, just ask.

The rear ExoSkin family — three different products, easy to confuse

? If Overline rear flares are the plan, this is the only version that makes sense. The other two protect the metal but give the flare nothing to bolt to. If protection is all you want, get in touch and we will order the cheaper variant.

⚠ Installation: drilling into the body, and riv-nuts

This is the thing to settle before ordering. The manufacturer rates the install moderate, 2–3 hours, with body modification listed as "Some Drilling". In practice that means dozens of holes drilled in the rear quarter and riv-nuts set into them. It cannot be undone.

The kit includes a full size template that marks every point — and it is the template that decides whether the job ends well.

Fitting tips from the manufacturer's customers

This product has unusually specific reviews. What follows is what actually speeds the work up:

• Screw the template down with self-tappers rather than holding it — the reviewer who suggests this says it took an hour off his install.
• Tape the edges so the paint does not get scratched during trial fits.
• Take the factory sliders off completely for the install — the same customer trial-fitted each plate around ten times.
• Use a step bit and do not oversize the holes — a riv-nut needs a tight seat.
• Tighten from the bottom up — the plate then lies flat against the skin.

⚠ Riv-nuts are the usual sticking point on this install. Two independent reviews say the same thing: there is essentially one spare in the kit, and on a first install it is easy to ruin one. Have your own supply of riv-nuts ready before you start — they cost very little, and being one short stops the whole job.

The only review below full marks (4/5 out of ten) comes from a customer who could not reach two of the nuts from inside the tub as the instructions describe. The same customer wrote: "Greatly strengthens the Jeep body. Great fit and great looks."

What's in the kit

• 2 × ExoSkin plate (driver and passenger), 1/8in cold rolled steel
• aluminium flare mounting brackets
• full size drilling template
• all required hardware (riv-nuts and bolts)

Technical data

• Application: Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited 2007–2018, 4-door only
• Manufacturer part number: 3410
• Plate material: 1/8in cold rolled steel (approx. 3.2 mm)
• Flare brackets: aluminium
• Finish: MetalCloak signature black textured powder coat
• Mounting: riv-nuts set into the body skin
• Installation difficulty: moderate
• Body modification: drilling
• Time to install: 2–3 hours
• Shipping weight: approx. 27 kg
• Country of manufacture: USA
• ⚠ Manufacturer lead time: 3–5 weeks

Overline rear flares — what completes it

The ExoSkin can stand alone as armour. Its second function only comes into play with flares. MetalCloak makes the Overline rear flares in three widths:

• 3425 – Narrow Edition
• 3426 – Standard Edition
• 3427 – Wide Edition

⚠ We do not stock any of them yet — they come in to order. Get in touch and we will match the width to your tyres and to the front of the vehicle, and quote a lead time covering both.

At the front the Overline system is complete here: tube fenders (3214) and flares in three widths — narrow (3280), standard (3281) and wide (3282). Plus the aluminium inner fender wells (3291 and 3293).

Who it's for

For owners of 4-door JKs building for big tyres who want to do it without cutting the body — the dovetail raised on the ExoSkin gives clearance exactly where the usual answer is a cutting wheel.

And for anyone who runs rocks and already has dents in the rear quarters, or would rather not get them. After the rockers, this is the panel that takes the most damage on a JK.

100% across all ten reviews at the manufacturer — the best-rated MetalCloak item in our range. The recurring themes: great fit, greatly strengthens the body, you get what you pay for.

Installation notes

This is a calm two to three hours with the workspace properly prepared: vehicle on its wheels, sliders off, edges taped, template screwed down solid. The risk here is not force, it is rushing the drilling — a hole put in the wrong place in a rear quarter is there for good.

⚠ Planning to paint it body colour? The manufacturer requires a test fit before painting and does not cover the cost of any custom finish applied. With the powder coated version we sell, that does not arise.

Szekla4x4.pl is an authorised MetalCloak dealer with a workshop specialising in Jeeps — we will fit the ExoSkin and the flares in one visit, with the template and the riv-nuts our problem rather than yours.

Why it's worth it

• It protects the weakest panel on a JK with 1/8in steel rather than plastic.
• It is the precondition for Overline rear flares — the mounting is inside it.
• The raised dovetail arch means clearance for 37in tyres without cutting the body.
• The full size template turns drilling into the body from a risk into a procedure.
• Black textured powder coat — consistent with the rest of the MetalCloak armour.
• Ten reviews, all positive — rare even for this manufacturer.

Frequently asked questions

Will it fit a 2-door JK?

No. The 2-door has its own part number, 3411 — get in touch and we will order it.

Can I run the ExoSkin on its own, without flares?

Yes. The manufacturer says so directly — the ExoSkin may be run alone as armour. The flare mounting simply goes unused.

Are the flares included?

No. This is the ExoSkin plates with the mounting only. The flares (3425 / 3426 / 3427) are a separate item that we order in.

Do I really have to drill into the body?

Yes, and quite a lot. The mounting relies on riv-nuts set into the skin. The full size template marks every point, but the holes cannot be undone. If that is a problem, say so — we will look for something that bolts to factory points.

Should I buy spare riv-nuts?

Yes. The kit has essentially one spare, and it is easy to ruin one on a first install. It is the cheapest insurance on this job.

Will 37in tyres really fit?

The manufacturer quotes 37in on a stock JK — but that figure is for the full Overline setup with the raised dovetail arch, not for the ExoSkin alone. Tell us what is on the vehicle and we will give you a realistic answer.

Can I combine it with another brand's armour?

The ExoSkin is designed as part of the MetalCloak system and works best within it. With other fenders it has to be checked case by case — get in touch before ordering.

What is the lead time?

3–5 weeks at the manufacturer plus transport to Poland — it is made to order. Get in touch and we will give you a current date.