When stretching a Jeep YJ to an LJ-length wheelbase, the factory body no longer matches the chassis. The rear wheel opening sits too far forward, and the tub length does not align with the new axle location. This creates issues with tire placement, suspension clearance, and overall fitment.
The Motobilt 15 inch stretch over the rail corner armor is designed to solve this by extending the body and repositioning the wheel opening to match a 15 inch rear stretch.
These corners effectively convert your YJ tub to LJ length. Because the wheel opening is built into the panel, your rear axle must also be stretched 15 inches to align correctly with the new body. This is not optional. The body and chassis must move together for the build to work properly.
The over-the-rail design wraps over the top of the body and fully covers the factory sheet metal rail. This eliminates the need to fabricate a custom upper rail and creates a clean, finished appearance. It also adds strength and protection compared to standard outer panel designs.
The tradeoff is that the factory upper rail is no longer exposed, which means there are no provisions to mount a soft top or hard top.
These corners include integrated tail light cutouts similar to those used on Motobilt bobbed bed designs. This allows for a clean, recessed tail light installation without additional fabrication and is a highly desirable feature for many builds.
This is the same corner used on the Motobilt El Jefe build, where it was part of a complete stretched chassis system designed around long travel suspension and large tires.
Installation requires cutting and modifying the factory tub. The system is intended to be used with other Motobilt components to complete the stretch and align the body with the chassis.
This is the correct solution for builders converting a YJ to LJ-length proportions while building a chassis that supports coilovers, larger tires, and proper suspension geometry.
YJ to LJ Conversion System (Required Components)
To properly convert a Jeep YJ to LJ-length wheelbase, the following components are required:
- Rear Back Half Kit (MB3067)
- Stretch Corner Armor (MB1176, MB1170, MB1170-A, MB1175)
- 15 Inch Stretch Rocker Guards (MB1171, MB1171-A, MB1177, MB1177-S)
- 15 Inch Stretch Floor Panel (MB1172)
- Inner Fenders (MB5529)
- Drop Down Tailgate (MB1168)
These components work together to extend the chassis, body, and wheel opening location to properly match a 15 inch wheelbase stretch.
