Fender flare removal question

[4RUNNERgeo]

I plan on removing the flares on a 97' 4Runner "Gen3" and have a question. Is there holes stamped into the fenders and doors holding the flares on or do they use double stick tape? He is a picture of the 4Runner. Thanks for the help.

 

[ceebs40]

No holes so you're good to remove.

On the fenders there are screws on the inside of the wheel well that hold the flares on to the vehicle, 5 or 6 of them... no exposed holes on body of vehicle.

On the door, the flare is attached to 4 clips which clips to the door. The doors have a tape like material that the clips slide on to, to protect the paint. Again, no holes.

I just removed mine last week. Keep in mind that once you remove these flares, there's a good chance you'll be able to see the outline of the flare in the paint due to exposure to the elements.. sun, dirt from road, etc. You may be able to buff this out but I wasn't able to on mine.. so I left them on, removed the boards and am re-painting the flares.

Good luck.

 

[DeTwizzle]

No, clips are holding them on. You probably will see the line where the clear coat and flare made contact. Also, some goo gone or solvent may be needed for the adhesive plastic the clips sit on.

 

[4RUNNERgeo]

Thanks guys!: Oh, I have one more question. I know that most metalic paint is base coat-clear coat (two stage). Is the white paint single stage or does it have a clear coat? The flare outline might be easier to buff out if it's single stage, I hope.

 

[ceebs40]

No, clips are holding them on. You probably will see the line where the clear coat and flare made contact. Also, some goo gone or solvent may be needed for the adhesive plastic the clips sit on.

Clips are holding them on for the doors.. fenders are the 5-6 screws.

Thanks guys!: Oh, I have one more question. I know that most metalic paint is base coat-clear coat (two stage). Is the white paint single stage or does it have a clear coat? The flare outline might be easier to buff out if it's single stage, I hope.

Pretty sure it's a 2 stage, base and clear coat. Mine looked like the flares had rubbed their way into the paint over time from slight vibrations, etc.

 

[brian2sun]

Thanks guys!: Oh, I have one more question. I know that most metalic paint is base coat-clear coat (two stage). Is the white paint single stage or does it have a clear coat? The flare outline might be easier to buff out if it's single stage, I hope.

My white '97 is single stage paint. My flares left scratch marks on my fenders when I removed them. I hand sanded the fenders and resprayed them with the Duplicolor Toyota White spray paint that I bought at Autozone. It matched pretty well, but since my original paint has faded a little it isn't a perfect match. But you'd have to know where I painted and be looking for it to notice anything. I didn't shoot clear on it, that would have made it not match at all.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Is this removal process the same for a Limited also? ('97 Limited) Mine has the flares and the rim peices on the door and all too. Was thinking about pulling them off to repaint them.

 

[Trub]

Is this removal process the same for a Limited also? ('97 Limited) Mine has the flares and the rim peices on the door and all too. Was thinking about pulling them off to repaint them.

I would like to know this as well. My fender flares are faded and pretty beat up. I'd like to remove the running boards all together and put on the black SR5 fender flares in place of my Limited. I know I would need new front and rear bumpers but don't know if the holes for the Limited clips would be covered up with the SR5 flares.

Anyone know if this is possible?

 

[Blanco]

Is this removal process the same for a Limited also? ('97 Limited) Mine has the flares and the rim peices on the door and all too. Was thinking about pulling them off to repaint them.

I believe there are clips on the upper part of the fender as well on the larger Limited flares that are exposed when removed. The black SR5 skinnier ones just have screws/bolts under the fender roll (as stated above). I know there is a thread on this somewhere but I couldn't find it.

 

[brian2sun]

I would like to know this as well. My fender flares are faded and pretty beat up. I'd like to remove the running boards all together and put on the black SR5 fender flares in place of my Limited. I know I would need new front and rear bumpers but don't know if the holes for the Limited clips would be covered up with the SR5 flares.

Anyone know if this is possible?

The black SR5 flares will not cover the holes leftover from the Limited flares. The SR5 flares only go to that 1st bend in the fender. The Limited flares' holes are higher than that as you can see in this thread..
Limited flare/plastics removal - YotaTech Forums

 

[rhubble]

OEM Fender Flare Removal

I'm having trouble removing the stock fender flares on my 97 4Runner (base). Does anyone know where I can download or get my hands on a diagram? There appear to be caps (like screw heads) on the underside of the flare attached to the door. I've tried turning, pulling, and popping them out but they won't budge. Is there a secret to getting them out?

Thanks for any help!!