[Kae006]

My new '97 has thick black plastic fender flares and large molded running boards. I've read on here that if removing the running boards I should buy end caps for the fender flares. Since I'm doing a very budget-friendly build I'm wondering if I can just remove the boards and the flares around the wheel wells? Will it look strange or have mounting holes leftover in the body? What can I expect to find underneath the plastic? I'm hoping I can just take it all off and add some generic mud flaps to protect the body.

[NachoPitt]

The SR5 flares are held on by clips. The clips themselves probably won't leave any marks but the flares themselves have probably cut into the paint. If you remove them, do it on a warm sunny day and leave the rig outside. The warm temps will help keep the flares pliable if you decide to put them back on.

Good luck!

[4x4mike]

I have a '99 with the black flares. I removed my running boards and a portion of the front of the running board has a piece that blends into the front flare. Toyota makes/made a 'splash guard' (mud flap) that fills the small gap and extends down to deflect water etc.

From what I've read the mud guards are hard to come by these days. Below is a link to JA 4runner and his explanation. I have the same 4Runner as him.

Link: Toyota 4Runner Highlander Modifications Additions Changes Information

Scroll down to splash guards. In the pictures link of his website you can see the 4runner with running boards and without (but with the splash guards).

[tre9er]

sort of on topic, but how is it that my SR5 has limited flares and 5-spoke wheels? I guess they were options?

[Kae006]

Originally Posted by NachoPitt

The SR5 flares are held on by clips. The clips themselves probably won't leave any marks but the flares themselves have probably cut into the paint. If you remove them, do it on a warm sunny day and leave the rig outside. The warm temps will help keep the flares pliable if you decide to put them back on.

Good luck!

Thanks! Here in Houston it is always a hot sunny day.

Originally Posted by 4x4mike

I have a '99 with the black flares. I removed my running boards and a portion of the front of the running board has a piece that blends into the front flare. Toyota makes/made a 'splash guard' (mud flap) that fills the small gap and extends down to deflect water etc.

From what I've read the mud guards are hard to come by these days. Below is a link to JA 4runner and his explanation. I have the same 4Runner as him.

Link: Toyota 4Runner Highlander Modifications Additions Changes Information

Scroll down to splash guards. In the pictures link of his website you can see the 4runner with running boards and without (but with the splash guards).

Thanks for the link, those are the same flares/running boards I have as well. I'm basically looking for a solution without having to buy those splash guards.

Maybe do a 12" section of bedliner around the bottom of the 4R and the bumpers as well?

[Kae006]

Originally Posted by tre9er

sort of on topic, but how is it that my SR5 has limited flares and 5-spoke wheels? I guess they were options?

I need to verify once the dealership finishes my suspension recall today but I'm pretty certain I have the 5-spoke wheels as well, assuming it was an option.

[4x4mike]

Originally Posted by Kae006

Thanks! Here in Houston it is always a hot sunny day.



Thanks for the link, those are the same flares/running boards I have as well. I'm basically looking for a solution without having to buy those splash guards.

Maybe do a 12" section of bedliner around the bottom of the 4R and the bumpers as well?

The only reason I think the guards are hard to get is that I see WTB posts for them. I bought mine new from some online dealer and they were a bit spendy for what they were. Perhaps the price is why people seem to be looking for them, as in they are looking for a good deal.

I remove mine while offroad because they are stiff. When you roll over a rock they rock will them crush the guard. They hold up except for scrapes but the mounting holes can rip. It's easier to remove them. With them removed they don't look bad. If you're planning on installing sliders you can mount them more forward to close up the 'gap' that the missing piece leaves. Then you can use some other material for a soft mud flap.

[cdrewferd]

Originally Posted by tre9er

sort of on topic, but how is it that my SR5 has limited flares and 5-spoke wheels? I guess they were options?

In '01 the SR5's got the Limited flares. But if you look, the '01-'02 Limiteds have the body cladding and the SR5's don't, so that's the difference.

[tre9er]

Originally Posted by cdrewferd

In '01 the SR5's got the Limited flares. But if you look, the '01-'02 Limiteds have the body cladding and the SR5's don't, so that's the difference.

Ahhh, yeah, nice. I don't mind the flares and love the 5-spokes, but I wouldn't have wanted the cladding.

[CdaleR4000si]

Originally Posted by 4x4mike

The only reason I think the guards are hard to get is that I see WTB posts for them. I bought mine new from some online dealer and they were a bit spendy for what they were. Perhaps the price is why people seem to be looking for them, as in they are looking for a good deal.

I remove mine while offroad because they are stiff. When you roll over a rock they rock will them crush the guard. They hold up except for scrapes but the mounting holes can rip. It's easier to remove them. With them removed they don't look bad. If you're planning on installing sliders you can mount them more forward to close up the 'gap' that the missing piece leaves. Then you can use some other material for a soft mud flap.

I'm one of a few that have been looking for the mudguards. The dealerships still have the front passenger side, but the front drive side has been sold out for a while now. Thus, lots of WTB ads in the classifieds forum. FWIW, they were about 35-50 bucks per side, depending on the dealership.

[Offroad_Medic]

If you're planning on wheeling your runner then jsut leave them on and use them as "stock sliders" until they are beat. They serve as a kind of warning that you're getting close to your body once you hear them start to crunch.

Taking the running boards off is super easy and only takes about 5 minutes. The gap left with the fender flares after the running boards is nothing special and not noticeable.

[Kae006]

What a difference

[threadlessclimber]

Bought mine last year at this time and paid twice as much for the right as I did for the left from Camelback Toyota. From reading on this forum they are hard to find, hell I might have lucked into one of the last sets but I've been meaning to look at the flares of a 2000-2004 Tacoma and see if something could be done that way for those who would notice the gape left after running board removal. I've seen Tacoma front end swaps--maybe find some used Tacoma flares and mud flaps?