Got my black SR5 flares on...with some issues.

[Blanco]

I posted recently about picking these up but finally installed them.
Got them locally here from a rolled '97 for an extremely good price.
Anyhow, overall they look pretty nice.

I did run into a few annoying fitment issues though.
One being the rear mudguard didn't line up nicely on the passenger side, no biggie but I'd prefer a cleaner fit.

Also, the front mudguards don't have the cleanest fit or hug the body lines (neither do the front of the rear flares) but I think this is because they might be designed to go with the running boards?

In couple of places in both the front and rear, the flares don't sit flush with the fender curves leaving some small gaps, not a massive issue as rain will drain out but it looks a bit 'unfinished'. I'm not sure why as I'm pretty sure there is no real difference between the '98 that they came off of and my '99. Could be down to them sitting and going through a temperature change? I'm thinking of trying to seal the gaps down with some 3M badging tape but there's not much to stick to on the flare side. Anyone know if heat would do the trick? This is the worst area.

Also, was hoping for a cleaner fit between the rear door and flare as I'm not keen on the gap here but hey, it could be worse!

Don't even mention the driver's side, all three bolts snapped off on the side bumper piece so now I need to drill them out (or go and get them drilled out more like):AK47:

So there you go...flares on!

 

[96743runner]

Bump...hopefully someone with these flares can chime in...

 

[Millerad1651]

Maybe if you installed the gasketing they would have a better fit. I think it the gasketing was made for Tacomas, but can be used for 4Runners.

 

[Blanco]

Yes, the gasket. I just saw a thread about that here recently. It'll probably help, any rubber trim or gasket may work. I'll investigate.

 

[Blanco]

Aha! I saw it on Yotatech...here it is!

Adding Rubber Flare Trim - 3rd Gen 4Runner - YotaTech Forums

This should do it - I'm hoping that this part is still available from Toyota.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Fitment issues are most likely from age and sitting around plus the bolt holes probably have become stretched a bit from time and climate also.

And here's another write-up for the fender trim. You use the trim from a Tacoma and to do the whole thing it will cost a little over $100 from the dealer.

Toyota 4Runner Highlander Modifications Fender Flare Edge Trim

 

[Millerad1651]

Ya , I had just read that thread about the gasketing too. It was starting to piss me off because I couldn't find it. At least you did. Good luck...let us know how it works.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

FYI, gasketing won't nearly hide the big imperfections...

You just gotta find each imperfection and mess with the screws and their locations to get it all correct. I had to make a few holes of my own, as well as leave a few mounts empty.

I had to use 4 washers on each screw for the rear door pieces to bring them in more.

I don't have a before pic, but they were pretty much identical to yours.

Gasketing is nice though, if you can afford buying the strips from Toyota, I would. My flares have all left a nice groove where the edge sits in all of my paint... awesome.

 

[brian2sun]

I agree with Ron, the flares probably warped a little while sitting. They should fit tighter than that. I wonder if you could heat them up and kinda mold them back in place??

 

[Gerdo]

One caution with the heat. Too much and you can remove the texture/flat look of the material. (it'll go shiny)

 

[A.Wilson013]

I noticed that even when I removed my front passenger side flare for 5 minutes to install my Tacoma Whip, it was nearly impossible to get it back right. Mine isn't perfect, but I got it pretty close... I have heard that if you go to the dealership they can get it perfect. Who knows =)

 

[Blanco]

You just gotta find each imperfection and mess with the screws and their locations to get it all correct. I had to make a few holes of my own, as well as leave a few mounts empty.

Yeah, I had to wiggle and adjust the things quite a bit plus drill some new holes in the trim here and there to get them to fit this well. A real trial and error job. Maybe I'll do some more 'adjusting' and see what I can do. I really would like the gaskets but don't really want to drop $100.00 right now, need that money for 'winterizing'.

I have heard that if you go to the dealership they can get it perfect. Who knows =)

I'm tempted believe me, but I can't see what they would have to make them fit any better? Plus I would think my neighborhood body shop would have plenty of experience with body moulding in general - think I'll check them if all else fails.

Anyway, it's not going to cause any real problems in the meantime so I should probably spend what little spare time I have doing some 'real' maintenance before the winter arrives!