Hi all,
Had an unfortunate event happen today. My truck found its way into a mailbox. Somehow, my truck sustained more damage than the mailbox. Anyways, it ripped part of the rear driver side fender plastic off, so I’m gonna need a new one. I’m trying to fix everything I can myself before I go to a body shop, but I can’t find this trim anywhere. At least not for the rear, and in the black textured plastic. Anyone know where I can buy one? Also, what are y’all’s thoughts on the cost to fix damage? The scratches are down to bare metal. gonna need paint. The photo doesn’t really show it, but the metal is also pushed in quite a bit where these scratches are.

 

I have a junkyard in Wichita called LKQ, I get a lot of parts there for okay money. See if you have a junkyard/salvage in your area?

 

Yeah, we do have junkyards around. I’ve thought about getting one there and probably will. But I’d much rather buy new if possible.

 

Back in April I bought a new set of those on eBay. All four for $119. Depending on if you can find just the drivers side rear for a cheap price the set may be your only way to go.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-2003-F...72.m2749.l2649

 

How closely did they match the originals as far as color/shape? Would it look odd if i just replaced the one with the ebay one?

 

My F150 didn't have fender flares to start with. Based on other trucks that I saw before I bought them they are a good match. Since the eBay set has all four flares it would be better if you replace all 4 of yours. Would look odd to have three old flares and one brand new one.

 

Are they tough to remove/install? I’ve had to remove my quarter panel in the past and if I remember right there wasn’t even easy access to pop the tabs out that hold them on. Maybe I’m just going nuts

 

Can't say anything for the removal of the old flares. But the install for the front flares were easy. Used the existing screws that hold the inner fender liner plus I drilled 1/8 inch holes in other places around the fender and used the screws provided with the kit. I took off the front tires for easier access to the fender. Took longer to jack the truck up and take off the tires than the flare install. The rears took a little longer. The eBay ad for the flares showed a F150 styleside whereas my F150 is a flareside. Nothing in the ad said anything about whether the flares would or would not fit a flareside. The flareside rear fender wells curve more under the bed than the styleside does. I started at the front of the rear fender well and worked my way toward the back of the well. There are two bolts at the back of the well under the bed and I removed the one closest to the edge of the back well. I then drilled a hole through the bottom of the flare and attached it using the bolt I had removed. I had to carefully measure when I needed to drill the hole so that when I massage the bottom of the flare to fit against the fender I could screw the bolt in. With the thickness of the flare you won't have a lot of room to get the bolt started. After I did the drivers side rear first I decided to go to Lowe's and find some longer bolts. My stock bolts were M8-1.25 so I found some that were 35mm and with fender washers they worked fine. On the passengers side my eye was slightly off where I drilled the hole so I used a Dremel to widen the hole on one side so it looked like an oval. Then I was able to install the new bolt and tightened it up.

 

Alright. I think I’m gonna get a quote from a body shop first, really trying to keep from having to replace all four. But definitely will be the next option if that fails. Thank y’all!

 

Keep us informed on what the body shop price is. I want to see what I should have charged myself for the install. LOL

Really though, it's not a bad install. Like I said it took me longer to roll out my jack and jack stands and get my tools out and the wheels off than the install itself.

 

I looked back at your photo of the damage and noticed three holes that look to be in the side of the fender. The flares I bought are installed using screws on the underside of the fender and tape that is attached to the flare and you pull off the tape covering and push the flare against the fender. When I did the fronts first I didn't uncover the tape at that time. I wanted to get the flares on with the screws. After making sure the flares fit properly with no gaps then I loosened the screws and uncovered the tape as I tightened the screws back up. When I did the rears, since I knew what I needed to do to the flare to make it snug I took off the tape covering as I worked. Be careful with the tape. It is very sticky and once it adheres to the fender it is there for good. Not saying it can't be pulled off and redone but you get the point.

 

Gotcha. My fronts have screws on the underside but I’m pretty sure the rears are just held on with push tabs that go into those holes and a christmas tree rivet on each end.

 

I found those same flares on amazon for $110 including shipping and they arrived yesterday. I'm probably going to install them this weekend. My truck does not currently have flares but I like the look of them and if they were not so inexpensive I would have passed.

 

Just wondering how your install went. What model F150 did you put them on? Just looked at your profile and saw that you are in Georgia. So am I.

 

The installation was easy. I did have to drill a few holes, but it didn't slow me down. They fit surprisingly well, but not perfectly. The double sided tape on the top edge is the good exterior 3m stuff that holds great in the long term.

I have a base XL single cab long bed. I like to do woodworking and home improvement stuff so I needed an old beater that I can park on the street and not worry about until I need it. It's also an ongoing project to fix all the broken stuff and I may let the kids drive it when they get old enough.