Custom fender flares for 1st gen?

So now that I finally got my tacoma fixed I'm wantin to clean it up and start doing some mods (I got a million ideas for various things I want to do with it). One that stands out is fender flares. I've been tryin to find some I like but I can't spend 5-$600 on a set of bushwackers. Especially when they're half that for newer models. I can't even seem to find a used set around anywhere. I've found some vids on youtube where folks have been building custom flares for various cars and trucks and some look pretty decent. But I haven't found anyone doing custom flares for Tacomas. So anyone out there tried this on theirs? Would be nice to see pics if you have. I'm thinkin about using the stock flares that I have as a starting point but not sure.

 

That may sound strange to you but with a bit of trimming, fender flares from 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinders can fit on 1st gen tacomas.

So instead of starting from scratch, you could start with these

I know because I did it, but I don't have them anymore, as I ended up having my truck repainted and I changed my fenders for new ones (used the flares to hide the rust repairs I did)

but if you have stock flares, use them, as they won't require any trimming, as they are made for your truck

**EDIT: because I made a typo

 

Ah, sweet - thanks for that tip. Hadn't thought about that. What did you need to trim do you remember? I'll look around for some.

 

I have a stock set not sure where you are located?

 

I'm in Hickory, NC. I have a stock set on my truck just wantin somethin better.

 

If @Tacoma4x4bear doesn't want them, I am interested.

 

Does it bolt up under the wheel wells like the stock ones? I don't have the holes in the fender like the 01 to 04 trucks use since I have a '98. How well did it fit?

 

Well he doesn't want them so, your up next lol

 

I took this reference pic before starting, but for some reason, can't find pictures of them on my truck



The curvature of the flares is similar to the curvature of the wheel arches on tacos, but it will stil require a bit of trimming

The holes on the inner lip of the fenders and the flares don't line up, so you need to drill holes. And of course you'll have to dril holes in your fenders for the body clips on the flares

The part of the flares that curves down and goes after the wheels is too long, so you'll have to cut it off a bit (circled in red). I left it open at this end, as flares catch and keep mud and cause fenders to rust around the wheel arch. I remember the Pathfinders I got the flares from had completely rusted fenders because of mud and moisture that got trapped in. So if the flare has an open end, mud can get out

To make it fit snuggly against the fender (if it doesn't), heat it and press/mold it into place. Then between the edges of the flare and fender, you can put silicon (don't remeber if I used the original litle piece of trim/silicon/rubber seal thing)

I only put flares on the front, so I don't know about the rear ones. If the front ones did fit with a bit of trimming, I guess the rear ones can fit too

 

Gotcha. That would probably work for the 1st gens that don't come with the flares. In my case I've already got a set of stock flares that came on my '02, I just want to swap them out or modify them to something a bit meaner lookin. I thought I had seen some other designs a few years back but seems I can't find anything other than the bushwackers with the rivets along the top edge. And even then I see them more on 05's and up than I do on the 1st gens.

Guess for the moment I'll just clean up the ones I got. Got some peel coat the other night I'ma use on em.

hmmm....