I'm looking at the different options for fender flares for my 96 SR5. Seems like I can choose from OEM (SR5 style), Bushwacker, Performance Products, or Xenon. If you've got any of these on your 3rd gen, let's see some pics. Also, let me know what kind of flare you have, and if you've had it painted, or left it in the stock finish.

Thanks.

 

i got the OEM LTD ones, pics on my site in the sig...

 

as do i...

 

Bushwacker extend-a-fenders. Leave em unpainted, I'm glad I did, I would have scratched off a buttload paint by now .

 

I got the oem sr5 fenders

 

There ya go.

Bob

 

I like the 2nd gen Bushwackers I have on my rig, and Bill's Bush's are doin' it for me.

They look sharp, and if I had a 3rd gen without flares, that would be what I would add.

Mine are also unpainted, just the shiny plastic.
If you get pin striping on them out in the woods, they clean up well with a clay bar and the Porter Cable with some polish or wax.

 

Yay, i'm back... done with school, time to throw money into the truck. Unfortunately, i don't have a job yet... but hopefully that'll change in a bit.

okay, to the question:

has anyone actually done the fenderflare install themselves? I am wondering, because my runner was parked in a parking lot, and someone must have opened their door and hit my wheel well, because that stock slivery fender lip protector has a huge notch in it now. It's no biggie, but as i examined my other silvery protector things, i noticed that one of them looks as though it could fall off pretty easily if one were to pull on it. I'm assuming that the fender flares would cover this up, but would i have to take these metal protectors off to install the flares, or are they just left on?

 

SR5 black unpainted flares with factory front mud guards.

 

For those of you wtih the Bushwakers and OEM SR5 flares, how much extra coverage do they give you?

 

I'd say that my OEM SR5 flares only provide about one full inch on each side, compared to flarelss model with the little trim ring on the wheel wells. Looks to me like Wild Bill's bushwackers give a little more, and the Limited Flares provide a tad more than that. From everything I have seen, thats how I would order them in amount of coverage provided. I don't know how Xenon or PP rate in coverage...

My $.02.

 

Jackson,

Coverage: are you asking how tall the flares are?

I can say though that at the most, they do protect your 4runner from door dings very well. Couple 4runers in my office complex and I got a window seat and see all kinds of doors flying.

Do what Jalaber (and I did later, based on his write up) did and add the rubber gasket strip protector thingy, whatever you get.

In my opinion, the Xenons look the best, esp painted. Theres a guy on ODW (forget his name) from So Cal w/ a 2WD green 4runner w/ Xenon painted flares. I met him once and it looks really sharp. Damn, what's his name!?!?

Bob

 

Interesting point, Bob. I assumed 'covereage' meant how much wider, or how much more of an oversized tire might be covered. That's what I was thinking in my previous post...

 

I meant how far do they stick out... i.e. how much coverage do they give for wider tires. My 32s throw up a lot of crap, and 33s would be even worse.

The guy you are thinking of is Vince. I've seen pics of his rig. Allan (DieselUV on the ODW board) also has them. I've seen his rig in person, and they definitely look sharp. His are also painted to match. If I were going to paint them, I'd definitely go with the Xenons, but I don't think I want to invest ~$200 on top of the cost of the flares just to have them painted.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Bushwackers so I don't have to use the undersized OEM mudguards. Do the Bushwackers come with some type of rubber strip/gasket to protect the paint from wear?

 

Barbie Jeep flares.



Shown with the hubs locked.........................................




What, you think the Homo Burrito when soft?




I only went solid axle. Life sucks having a 252 to 1 grocery store truck. I'm really diggin the FJ-62.

 

I'm sporting the stock Sport Pkg/Ltd flares which are pretty much identical to the Xenon flares that have been mentioned. There's probably a good 1.5 - 2" gained there, I can measure exactly how wide if you'd like.

 

Jackson, yes the Bush's come with the black stipping to protect your paint.

It's a good half hour or more to put all four on.
I did mine a few years ago while watching the TV and putting the strips on in the living room.