DIY: Bushwacker Fender Flare Installation

Up2NoGood · Sep 18, 2015

It would be nice if Bushwacker would list on their site the true increased amount of coverage. I believe at one point they listed (or maybe still do) a number but it was a number of how much extra coverage they provide on the truck if the truck started off with no flares at all.

Jon147 · Sep 18, 2015

Up2NoGood said: ↑

It would be nice if Bushwacker would list on their site the true increased amount of coverage. I believe at one point they listed (or maybe still do) a number but it was a number of how much extra coverage they provide on the truck if the truck started off with no flares at all.
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https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-stick-out-over-my-stock-flares.262477/page-2

^after some digging, I remember reading some info with regards to your question. Its about 3/4" more over stock. Just an approximate based on info from other people that have installed these. I kinda remember taking measurements of how far my tires stuck out before and after and im pretty sure its about 3/4" like stated.

Up2NoGood · Sep 18, 2015

thanks. 3/4" more is a decent improvement.

Jon147 · Sep 18, 2015

No prob. Yeah, I was hoping for more, but I'm pleased with the outcome.

P-Luck92 · Jul 25, 2016

hi guys how much larger than oem fender flare? thanks

fireman_343 · Mar 19, 2017

Anyone have issues getting there's to fit? Mine seems too big, yet I go to the part number listed and it's for the same year truck I've got? Any idea if the regular bed or long bed Tacoma are different size flares? I've got the short bed and mine will not fit? The new ones are about an increase or two too big

RacecarGuy · Mar 19, 2017

fireman_343 said: ↑

Anyone have issues getting there's to fit? Mine seems too big, yet I go to the part number listed and it's for the same year truck I've got? Any idea if the regular bed or long bed Tacoma are different size flares? I've got the short bed and mine will not fit? The new ones are about an increase or two too big
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I believe there is different part numbers for the long and short beds.

fireman_343 · Mar 19, 2017

Damnit, yeah.. I just seen that.
It was a craigslist deal for $60 for all of them.. guess I'll just have to buy new rears for full price.

Taco1999 · May 21, 2017

Has anyone on here trimmed their front bushwackers like the ones on pelfreybilts tacoma???

2015 blacked out coma · Nov 4, 2021

Wildcat[OP] initial post: ↑

I just recently installed a new set of Bushwacker Pocket Style fender flares on my 2013 DCSB. These come with installation instructions, but some of the steps aren’t totally clear so I thought if anyone else performed this mod some pictures might help. They come flat black with silver metal bolts. I had the flares painted to match my truck and the color is spot on.

I am going with an all-black accessory theme with mine so first I spray painted the bolts and washers using primer and then matte black. I just used a cardboard box with holes punched in it to old the bolts. I put down a piece of wax paper to try and prevent the bolts and washers from sticking to the cardboard. It worked pretty well.

Then you attach all of the bolts around the edge of the fender flare. The factory fenders and mud flaps have to be removed which is really easy. I started with the back ones. Just take out the bolts on the underside of the wheel well and pull from the bottom on one side and work the rest of the way around. It will pop right off.

The main flare on the front comes off the same and is just as easy, but don't forget to take out the two bolts up under the wheel well in the middle.

It pops right off. You have to take some pliers and turn out the plastic clips that held them on. The blue ones come out real easy, but the orange ones will fight a little.

The small flare on the front bumper was kind of difficult to remove only due to the clips holding it in place. First you must remove the two screws on the bottom edge of the bumper holding on part of the black plastic wheel well. Then pull it toward the wheel and down to expose the blue clips that need to be removed.

There are seven that have to be removed and about three of them are hard to get to, but it can be done.

There is one clip at the top hiding that you have to get to through a hole in the wheel well.

I used a flat head screwdriver to push the tab on the clips to get them out. Like I said, this part wasn't very fun, but it is doable. Once the clips are out, the front piece will fall right off.

Next I put on the rubber stripping that comes in the kit. Just do as the directions say, pull a little bit of it off and push it around the edge. Goes on easy and just cut it off when you get to the end point. Make sure you know exactly where the end point is before cutting though. May have to hold it up next to the truck to see where it makes contact. Pretty straight forward though.

Then you're ready for installation. The rear ones just line up with the factory holes and you just put in the bolts that are supplied with the kit and tighten down. Be sure not to over tighten because they are just screwing into plastic. There is a little spacer that goes on at the back end to add additional support.

The front two pieces bolt together and then are placed onto the truck as one piece. There are two black clips per flare on the front that use two little black screws to hold it up in the middle. Follow the directions by marking the spot where they need to be and stick the clip in the sheet metal with the hole facing downward.

Three bolts go on the rear and one bolt on the front, then the two little screws in the middle.

The front piece that attaches to the bumper needs to have two holes drilled through it for the flare to be attached. You are just drilling through the plastic bumper, so it is real easy. There are four longer bolts that match the other 42 little ones and this is where they go. Bolt them on and the fenders are installed!

Go back and lift up the piece of black plastic wheel well and use the screws you removed to reattach it.

That is all there is to it!

Pretty easy and mostly straight forward, just takes a little time. I'm guessing it took me about 3 hours or so total. Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck!
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2015 blacked out coma · Nov 4, 2021

I just put 285 70 r17 on my truck and really don't like how much they stick out. Tires currently sticking out 1 1/2" to 2" past factory flares and they fling mud and rocks on the truck. Will these upgraded flares help cover tires better, and is there any drilling or trimming?

Ps. I like how you painted the hardware, I'll have to do the same if I purchase these.

2015 blacked out coma · Nov 4, 2021

BLOODYMARY said: ↑

Love mine! Installed last night!
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2015 blacked out coma · Nov 4, 2021

BLOODYMARY said: ↑

Love mine! Installed last night!
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How much farther do they stick out than factory flares. My oversized tires stick out to far and I'm trying to cover them more for looks and practicality.

bjmoose · Nov 4, 2021

2015 blacked out coma said: ↑

How much farther do they stick out than factory flares. My oversized tires stick out to far and I'm trying to cover them more for looks and practicality.
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Bushwackers only add about 3/4" of coverage vs. the factory flares. Any coverage measurements they provide are compared to *no flares at all.*

Tractor Dave · May 17, 2022

Wildcat,I know this is a older post, But Dude your the SHI$ , thanks Im getting ready to install mine on the truck and your info is greatly appreciated. I also painted the flairs black and bolts.Just cleaner looking.your truck is Awesome looking Taco.Thanks again

Wildcat · May 17, 2022

Tractor Dave said: ↑

Wildcat,I know this is a older post, But Dude your the SHI$ , thanks Im getting ready to install mine on the truck and your info is greatly appreciated. I also painted the flairs black and bolts.Just cleaner looking.your truck is Awesome looking Taco.Thanks again
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Thanks, I actually haven't logged into this site for years now until I got your message notification. I really like the Bushwacker flares on the Tacoma and am sure yours will look great! The install took a little time but was pretty easy if I remember right. Was almost 10 years ago now. I no longer have this Tacoma as I treaded it in for a Tacoma Pro. Thanks again and good luck!

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