Norcal Spotted and BS Thread

I need to trim my fenders. So, do I trim them on the truck, or remove. If I remove from the truck I want to be able to put them back on. Not at fan of plugging holes with bolts. Can they be removed with out destroying the clips? If a clip breaks, can they be replaced? I was at the Toyota dealership today and went to the parts department to get some clips in the event I removed flare, and broke clips. The dude there had no idea what I was talking about. He was no help at all.

 

Mine were cut with them still on the truck.

 

A couple of my friends were outside the little shamrock bar at 9th and Lincoln in San Francisco this past weekend, and they witnessed a catalytic converter theft just inside Golden Gate Park across from the bar. A guy with a cordless sawzall was under a honda element, people, including the owner of the vehicle (!!?!) were yelling at him while they were waiting for traffic to allow them to cross Lincoln. The thief heard them, didn't stop cutting, and jumped into a waiting car and took off. They said it took under a minute for all this to go down, and they couldn't get the plate number from the getaway car. Crazy. I'm likely going to add some expanded steel mesh scrap I have laying around while I wait on ordering a trans skid which will hopefully discourage/slow down a thief. Between this and the rampant auto break-ins (was a victim several times when I lived in.the city) make SF sometimes feel like a lawless failed state.

 

$13 NWCLIPS 2009 Tacoma Fender Flare Clip Kit C44-49x4

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017RR07W4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Because it kinda is...

 

I have a bunch of clips. Don't thank me. Thank @stroM-

 

FIFY

 

Now you tell me. I ordered the ones linked. Well, I'll be able to pay it forward to some other hapless noob like myself.

 

I want to cut mine. But no reason to. Just like the look of it

 

You guys are all too young. I remember the Taco bell on PCH in Huntington Beach and buying tacos and burritos for .25. It seems to me that when the Enchirito came out it was .50 but this is the earliest menu I found...

 

Found some that are slightly longer than fuck! Should work great for what I'm trying to accomplish.

 

From the looks of that photo it's safe to assume I was not even born....so yeah.....

 

For high clearance rear bumper they MUST be cut. For wheel clearance in the front, they MUST be cut. So, gonna cut.
Don't wanna. Gotta.

 

I cut my fenders while still on the truck, fender flares were removed and clips we’re broken in doing so. Have fun!

 

You have to remove the liner to access the backside of the clips.

 

No intention ever of removing FENDERS, only flares. Rather not remove flares, either, if I don't have to. We shall see how it goes on Sunday.

 

Since the bolt extends into the frame, there’s no issue with getting bolts slightly longer. Thats taking the threaded length into account, of course.

For a future reference, 150mm long bolts work great for a flatbed. YMMV.

 

Definitely have to remove the flares. It’s really easy. They pop right off. I would pinch the clip from the backside to make sure you don’t break the tabs. I didn’t do this, but got lucky...

A nibbler tool works great for the metal. Since you’re only cutting about 1/4 to 1/2” at a time, it’s really important to mark it well and follow that line accurately.

The flares can be easily cut with a jigsaw.

There may be other methods, but this one has the least amount of potential for fucking up.

 

No nibbler. Just a grinder with cutting wheel.

 

!

There are a couple nibblers floating around. I highly recommend borrowing one.