MetalCloak Overline Quick-Release Rear Flares, Standard Edition 6in, Black Powder Coat, Jeep Wrangler JK (pair)

The factory rear arch on a JK stops exactly where the problem starts: with bigger tyres it no longer covers the tread, and coming off an obstacle it becomes the obstacle.

This flare deals with both. 1½in × .120 steel tubing on a 1/8in mounting plate, dovetailed — cut back at an angle so an obstacle deflects off it rather than catching it. The manufacturer quotes 6in of tyre coverage and clearance for 37in tyres on a stock JK.

The interesting part is something else though: this is the only rear flare on the market that comes off without workshop tools. An Allen key, two 18-8 stainless bolts, and the flare is off in minutes — for the tight, narrow runs where every inch of width counts.

? A hard requirement — read this before ordering

The manufacturer states it as a requirement, not a suggestion: "First time purchasers must also purchase the JK Wrangler 2 door Rear Flare Mounting Exo-Skins or JK Wrangler 4 door Rear Flare Mounting Exo-Skins."

The flare does not mount to the body. It mounts to the steel ExoSkin plate that bolts onto the rear quarter and carries the ball lock sockets. Without it there is nothing to attach to — and that is exactly why fitting the flare itself takes ten minutes: all the hard work belongs to the ExoSkin.

• 4-door JK → ExoSkin MC3410, which we stock.
• 2-door JK → ExoSkin 3411, which we order in — get in touch.

The flare itself fits both bodies. Only the ExoSkin differs, because the rear quarter is a different shape on the 2-door and the 4-door.

The ball lock joint — why it works

An ordinary flare bolted through the body puts trail loads on the bolt thread. Sooner or later the hole works oval and the flare starts to move.

MetalCloak uses a Ball Lock Joint: a solid steel ball seats in a socket in the ExoSkin plate, and the bolts only lock it there. The load goes through the rigid ball-and-socket, not through the thread. It is the same mechanism as on the Overline front flares.

? One of the manufacturer's customers put the stiffness best, describing standing up too quickly under a fitted flare: "They are stout enough to put a crease in my head."

Three rear widths — and the rule for matching them to the front

MetalCloak makes the Overline rear flares in three versions. We stock all three.

? The manufacturer says it directly: this version is matched to the standard front flares (3281). The rear is always narrower than the front — the front wheel steers and needs more coverage, the rear only moves up and down.

⚠ The manufacturer is unambiguous that this version is 6in. For the narrow and wide versions its figures are less precise (a note on the ExoSkin page refers to 4in, 6in and 8in) — if you are choosing narrow or wide, get in touch and we will confirm the dimension with the manufacturer before ordering.

Off in minutes — and why that matters

This is not a gimmick. The flare comes off with an Allen key and two 18-8 stainless bolts, and there are two concrete reasons to do it:

• Narrow runs. On tight forest tracks or between rocks, six inches a side is a real difference. Take them off for the run, put them back after.
• Repair and paint. A flare off the vehicle is a part you can straighten, repaint or replace without touching the body.

The manufacturer notes that this is the only quick-release rear flare system in the industry. The rest of the market bolts on permanently.

What's in the kit

• 2 × rear tube flare (driver and passenger), 1½in × .120 tubing
• 1/8in steel mounting plates with solid steel ball ends
• all required hardware

⚠ The ExoSkin plates are not in this kit — they are a separate item (MC3410 for the 4-door).

Technical data

• Application: Jeep Wrangler JK and JKU 2007–2018, rear axle
• Manufacturer part number: 3426
• Tyre coverage: 6in from the tub
• Tubing: 1½in × .120 steel
• Mounting plate: 1/8in steel
• Joints: solid steel balls, locked with 18-8 stainless bolts
• Finish: MetalCloak signature black textured powder coat
• Geometry: dovetailed, approach and departure angles engineered for object deflection
• Installation difficulty: easy
• Body modification: none (all the drilling belongs to the ExoSkin)
• Time to install: 10 minutes
• ⚠ Requires the ExoSkin plates (MC3410 for the JK 4-door, 3411 for the 2-door)
• Shipping weight: approx. 15.9 kg
• Country of manufacture: USA
• ⚠ Manufacturer lead time: 3–5 weeks

Who it's for

For JK owners running tyres bigger than the factory planned for who want to do it properly: tread covered, clearance on the way down, and no cutting the body.

And for anyone building the vehicle around the Overline system — the front is complete here (tube fenders 3214, flares in three widths, inner fender wells 3291 and 3293), and this is the part that closes out the rear.

100% across all seven reviews at the manufacturer. The recurring words: perfect fit, strong and solid, build quality.

Installation notes

The flare itself is ten minutes and an Allen key — provided the ExoSkin is already on the vehicle. The hard work is the ExoSkin install: drilling the rear quarter and setting riv-nuts, two to three hours.

? A practical note from the reviews, about that stage: the instructions call for a 17/32in bit, but a 1/2in works just as well — the 0.07in difference does not matter, and a step bit handles it without buying anything new. The same customer advises oiling the riv-nut tool: half the resistance he felt was friction, which made it hard to tell whether the riv-nut had actually set.

⚠ Planning to paint them 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, together with the front if you are building the full set.

Why they're worth it

• 6in of tyre coverage without cutting the body and without plastic.
• A ball lock joint instead of a bolt through sheet metal — the joint does not work loose.
• Off in minutes when the extra width gets in the way.
• Dovetailed shape — obstacles deflect rather than catch.
• Matched to the standard front flares, which we hold in stock.
• Seven reviews, every one at 100%.

Frequently asked questions

Can I fit the flares on their own, without the ExoSkin?

No. The manufacturer states it as a requirement — the flare mounts to the ExoSkin plate, not to the body. Without the plate there are no ball lock sockets.

Does it fit a 2-door JK?

Yes, the flare itself fits both bodies. Only the ExoSkin differs: 3410 for the 4-door, 3411 for the 2-door. Get in touch and we will match it.

How much width does it actually add?

6in of tyre coverage measured from the tub — that is the manufacturer's figure for this version.

Will 37in tyres fit?

The manufacturer quotes 37in on a stock JK, but that figure is for the full Overline setup with the raised arch. Tell us what is on the vehicle and what lift, and we will give you a realistic answer.

Do I have to run the same version at the front?

The manufacturer pairs them: standard rear (this listing) with standard front (3281). It is not a technical requirement, but mixing widths shows on the vehicle.

Do they really come off without a workshop?

Yes — an Allen key and two stainless bolts a side. It is the only rear flare system on the market that allows it.

Can I paint them body colour?

You can, but the manufacturer requires a test fit before painting and does not cover paintwork costs if something needs adjusting. With the powder coated version there is no need.

What is the lead time?

3–5 weeks at the manufacturer plus transport to Poland — it is made to order. If you take the ExoSkin along with the flares, we ship it as one order.