Fabric Wheel Wells

Any sport owners that have taken off the front air dam and experienced the front of their wheel wells ripping? Just noticed today that the fabric material they use for these has ripped out of the front bolt holes and is hanging loose. Any aftermarket options available yet?

 

You put your factory snowplow screws back in after removal?
Ide re-attach using a large washer vs replacing…
Speculating at this point as no pictures…
Post pics…

 

Yea, you gotta put several of the screws back in. I did the same thing with mine and noticed them ripping a little bit. Whoops.

 

It appears I did not put the screws back in. I swear I remember doing that. Couldn't get any good pictures in the low light last night or this morning. I'll have to figure something out for the driver side because the fabric ripped off past where the mounting hole is. Nothing like running zip ties on a brand new truck.

Right there with ya, buddy.

Do all trim levels use that carpet material? I don't remember my 2017 having that. Doesn't seem like it will hold up too well and I'm sure dirt is going to stain it pretty bad...

 

Not sure if the TH or Pro trims get that carpet.

It's actually pretty easy to clean providing you got a pressure washer. Rinse it down, spray on some de-greaser and let it sit, then blast all the gunk away. Comes out looking new.

 

Put the screws back in after getting some wide fender washers to go with it. Should give the screws more clamping area since it’s torn…
And that will only work if the speed clip is still there, not sure how easily they will disappear if the screw has no longer there.
I wouldn’t be replacing inner fenders because of that at this point

 

Put the felt on top. I used the bumper bolt and also a different hole for the outside screw that made the fabric lay properly on top. Just clip the nut to the fabric and put it above the bumper. The holes are already in the fabric.

 

Everything is built like a Ford Focus these days, first time I ever saw the felt material was on a Ford Focus. I'm not sure if the fender liner material is thinner than the same material is used as under body protection. The Tacoma fender liners look thiner than what's on other vehicles, which it may not be.

I don't know what was wrong with the thin plastics that have been used in the past? I preferred that, not big on that felt material getting wet and salty. My F-150 has no skid plates underneath but it had that felt material but it's gone now. I was contemplating the Raptor skid plate, or one from RCI, or the factory FX4 plates as there isn't anything under there.

 

I'll try and get better pictures this afternoon, but my driver's side is ripped above the second hole (red line). Passenger side just ripped through the bottom hole, but the full upper hole is still there. (yellow line)

 

I agree. They know these will see dirt, but they put "skid plates" on that can be ripped off from road debris. Problem with the 4th Gen Sport or below trim levels is it doesn't have the extra frame support that the Offroads and up have. So the TRD front skid plate won't bolt up all the way. I know there will be aftermarket solutions coming, but it's frustrating.

 

That is annoying the frame support isn't on all Tacomas, not that it's needed.

Frontier S went from 2 two hooks in 22 then 1 in 23, not sure about 24s I seen one truck with out any but that might have been Rwd.

 

I disagree...
Worked on Fords for 30+ years as a professional engine tech / heavy line mechanic...
The for focus has a hard plastic inner fenderwell....
They do have an underbody panel similar to a skidplate that may look like felt but very very rigid....

 

The one on my 2019 f150 sagged and ripped loose. I replaced it and the same thing happened a second time. After that I just removed it and went without.

 

I was referencing the underbody panel not the fender liners. When I say everything is built like a Focus. Most manufactures are using the same materials for the same parts. I guess comparing the Tacoma to the Maverick would be more appropriate, both vehicles are manufactued in Mexico.

 

FWIW, for some tangents here. The porous or cloth fender liners have a few solid reasons for use that include cutting noise, insulating the engine compartment from more heat, aerodynamics, reducing spray, and protection from road debris. I am not so sure they are about made in Mexico or in some cases even cheapness because I recall luxury vehicles used them first. How quiet the 2024 Tacomas are really stood out to us early on.

 

The material reminds me of some kind of building material. I had a Legacy that had the fabric fender liners. I didn't move the car for about a months leavs and junk built up on the cowl and some mold grew on the liner. That was due to neglect on my part, but mold can grow on the material if the material is dirty. Legacy is built in the US, and most will agree Subaru build quality isn't the best, but that has nothing to do with the liners.

 

Yes on what is is like. I'm not sure Toyota or Subaru have the best build quality but our experience with both are generally very reliable and repairable. Our German car has better paint, fit, finish, sounds and feel. It matches the others for parts not available and dealer staff daft to reading TSBs and instructions.

I will watch for problems. I drive off road often but it's not as an offroad hobbyist as some here are.

 

screws are back in. First two pictures is passenger side. Top still had a hole to go through. Bottom two are sitting on top of the screws.

third and fourth pictures show driver side. It’s ripped off past the point where I can reattach it to any of the three screws.

Any suggestions on what to do with that side?