+2 Fender Flare Development

Glass spiders anyways, I'd be reinforcing the crap out of it anyways

 

It doesn't spider if it's mounted properly.

 

Yea but if anything touches it it will

 

I would probably find a way to reinforce it with metal or something.

 

Plan on putting tube up to it where I can bolt strait to a plate

 

Are you running lt in the rear?

 

I want to see this... even with a stock bed.. 60mph with a topper on it... in the whoops offroad... that would be good watching...

 

I would like to see that too lol.

 

You don't want to look at it trust me going 40 it looks like a twerking tundra

 

Plan on it but can't do anything till the glass is sorted out

 

Well here is your update kids, full fenders and bedsides are officially killed , dead and buried. All focus is on a set of cut out fender flares for the reasons listed below. Sounds like McNeil will have you guys covered on full bedsides soon to match their +2 fronts for those of you wanting to go that route. McNeil makes rad shit so glad there will be a solution for ya'.

Why am I doing flares instead of fenders and bedsides :

1. With a full fender or full bedside you have to pay to paint the full piece and paint work is getting stupid expensive particularly in states like CA Paint matching is tough too.

2. Shipping cost on fenders and bedsides flat out sucks.

3. Body panel quality - the average Joe would hate the wavy finish and imperfections of glass fenders and bedsides and if you want them to be OE smooth you have to pay a pro to body work and block the hell out of them which can double your paint job price.

4. A full fender is not needed for +2 w/ 35's coverage...this prob should have been #1 on the list huh So...why replace a whole fender or a whole bedside when all you need is a properly designed flare.

5. A cut out flare is a hell of a lot less expensive to purchase and to paint vs a whole fender or bedside and you could even just DIY bedliner them or Linex them etc.

5. Support and fit for camper shells, tool boxes, tonneau covers, bed racks, snorkels etc etc. Even if someone makes a full +2 bedside that a camper shell will fit over you will need to use something like KB Voodoo's bedrail caps to support the camper shell. The camper shell needs the more rigid platform and the bedsides will not like the weight in the long term.

6. All of the fit and finish issues with full fenders and bedsides, your average Joe would not be happy with all of the issues with headlight fit, taillight fit, door gap fit, hood gap fit etc that are common with full glass panels. I clearly understand that some people don't care about fit and finish and live by the mantra that the guy with the most trail pinstriping and body damage wins but the fact is that the other 99% do and want a product that looks as good as it functions and just want the best looking truck stuck in traffic twice a day...or while flexing curbs at the mall.

Progress - I'm on the 3rd mock up set, just deciding which shape and features I like best. Biggest decision is wether to have them tuck back in really tight at the bottom or go for more tire coverage at the bottom. In case anyone has not realized this yet your full inner fenders will have to be removed it is unavoidable when you are cutting your fender opening larger. In addition to the shape of the outer flare I am trying a couple of different things with the shape and cosmetics of the inner lip of the flare - all being done to clear a 35" tire with a +2 kit.

Production & Sales - This will be a product that I will own and sell myself, mfg'd by a local co for me. I will have a simple web page and use paypal for transactions. Name of product TBA " flares r us " ? JK A friend joked that I should name it absolutely nothing to do with trucks so when your wife sees it on your CC or bank statement it will look like you bought groceries...smart man

I have found a local company that produces full reproduction car and buggy bodies and the quality of their stuff is better than any off-road glass I have seen. Just as an FYI - the difficulty with glass and its fit/finish quality is that it heats up hot enough to burn you while it is curing. That heats causes warpage and shrinkage and when glass warps it can't be flexed or bolted back into shape on the truck like an ABS plastic flare can...so the production process has to be top notch. Some of you may remember another company that tried glass flares a few years ago called Safari flares...I don't think anyone actually ever got a set of them to fit because of that warpage problem and they had no actual mounting hardware they just sold raw flares and you had to figure out how to mount them yourself. So why not just make them out of ABS ? - the start up cost is stupid expensive, how stupid ? - you would have to sell a thousand sets to just break even.

I believe I mentioned this before too but not doing a pocket style flare with exposed bolts is much more difficult and more expensive as well. Long story - short version is it turns from a one step mold to a multi step process with hardware such as threaded inserts being hand drilled and hand inserted. I personally hate the bolt/pocket style look so I am determined to make these bolt on / screw on from the back of the fender using the OE fender flare clip holes with no visible hardware.

Timing - it's going to be a while and I'm going to shoot you guys straight so that you understand what is going on...we lost our baby recently and my wife had some medical issues as a result of that, followed that up with a layoff after 23 years with the same co, followed by a cancer scare & surgery for my wife three months later, followed by a blown head gasket...Umm yeahhh sometimes life gives ya' lemons.

Now, I don't mean to sound like a dick but in the grand scheme of life IDGAFF about fender flares right now. To avoid any further bad vibes or anyone feeling like I misled them here is the deal - I'm workin' on it and when it's done it's done and I'll share the finished product then. Thanks but currently I don't need any volunteers I already have a few local volunteers and even one prototype hand made set already on the road on a 5 lug long bed...which is a bitch BTW because they don't have any of the OE flare clip holes in the fenders so accurattely marking and drilling all those holes on a 5 lug fender is not fun. When I get to the point where the final prototype is done I will upload a ton of pictures but it could honestly still be months away. If you have constructive feedback or questions please continue to post them and I will keep up with the thread but for anyone checking this thread daily for updates and is disappointed at the wait time and wants to express his or her dissatisfaction with the wait time or toss any jabs in my direction save your keystrokes please.

Well hopefully that was enough words to last you another month.

Love, Me.

 

sorry to hear that man
as long as the fenders are coming at some point I'm content

 

I'm going to pretnd that you never said that! Sorry to hear it wasn't working out, if you ever make a set of real flares I'd be selling what I have for what you've made. Sounds like you over fenders will be bad ass, might have to get some to hold me over, best of luck with it dude

 

:slow clap:

Bravo sir!

 

Re-Subbed for cut out flares

 

Count me in for some flare-age whenever you get around to making them.

 

First off, very sad to hear about your family setbacks. I can only imagine the feelings you guys have experienced. We had two very complex babies, one in NICU for over two months. I couldn't imagine if we had lost one. Hats off to you sir for being open and for continuing to focus on positives instead of negatives. Your a good man!!!!!

My short feedback, try Shopify!!! I switched to it recently and absolutely love it. It integrates with PayPal for processing of payments and their shipping and POS system is amazing. Matched with how easy it is to build a website with them, it's a no brainer!!!!

 

I might be in for some flare-age also!

 

Family always comes first so take care of your wife. Our trucks can wait for flares. Bummer though since I've been watching this thread and was hoping to grab these from you to run 35's when my current tires are worn enough which will be pretty soon.