Fender flares

[SnubNose]

I'm looking to get a set of fender flares for my 98 F-150. I want the factory look of the 4x4, but I'm definitely NOT interested in paying Ford $129.42 a piece for the front ones, and $221.51 a piece for the rear! Can someone recommend a set that isn't going to cost me a fortune that looks like the factory equipment, or close enough to it? I plan on having it painted to match the two-tone paint so no chrome please. Thanks! SnubNose

[Scooter29]

Hey there SnubNose and welcome to FTE! I went ahead and checked out Bushwacker.com and for the Street Flares PN= FRONT 20602-11
REAR 21501-11
These are as close to stock as they offer.

I'll look around more in the am. for you. In the meantime, others will offer there great insight..... Talk with you later....

[SnubNose]

Hi Jim, thanks for the heads up! Glad to be a part of FTE. I've already had someone help me out with an electrical problem (turned out to be simple but it baffled me). This place is great!

After visiting a Ford dealership in town I found out that factory fender flares are in fact NOT what I want. It turns out that the factory flares require you to drill into the SIDE of the body to mount them properly. So basically, if you screw up or decide not to put them on after all, your body is totally messed up and full of holes. Furthermore, it invites rust to form and I doubt it would be repairable after it rotted through and peeked over the flare.

I guess I'll stick with some aftermarket ones, although I don't want anything too outrageous. I picked up a Canadian Tire accessories catalog that has stuff from all the big-name vendors as special order. I don't think I'll order stuff from CT, just browse the book to give me an idea on what's out there. There's some nice stuff there but if anyone here has some experience in this area their advice and opinions would be much appreciated!

Thanks again!

SnubNose

[Scooter29]

Hey SnubNose! Thanks for getting back to me! I was wondering if anyone out there has used the ones from DEE ZEE? They had/have the type that have the 2 sided tape for mounting. I haven't seen many around, and don't know how long they last with the winters you and I experience up here in the north.

OK guys, let us in on what you know.......

[SnubNose]

Hi Jim, I was chatting with a coworker about fender flares and I expressed my concern about the double-sided tape being a sort of cheapo way of attaching them, although he opined that with the 3M adhesive that comes with the better quality kits, it's actually just as strong as screws because it expands to form a tight gasket and won't let go. I don't think he's has first-hand experience with it so take it for what it's worth, although most anything that 3M makes that would be suitable for this application should be pretty strong. 3M doesn't fool around.

The cold is a good point though, and I wonder if that's a consideration or not when choosing such an adhesive. I'll take a look through that catalog tomorrow and post a few of the brands they show, they should have at least some net presence so we can check em out and see how they mount!

SnubNose