How does it look without any fender flares?

[totallypro]

I'm thinking about taking my little sr5 flares off because they are banged up and corroding, but it is really hard to find pictures specifically without the flares. Can you guys share some pictures of your rig if you took your flares off? And do any of you have tips for taking them off? I'm also considering panting them all black but I'm not sure how to do this with the chrome strip on them.

Thanks!

 

[jaredawoodruff]

Can't help you with removal, but I think 4Runners without all the 90s BS they thought looked "good", looks great without. Less is definitely more.

Here's a pic of (not my) 4Runner with no flares: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/5e/6d/0d/5e6d0deefe39abcd61bb75b9a5f7154e.jpg

 

[psraff]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/128500-build-thread-kenai-ak-99-sr5.html

I took mine off. Just little philips screws. I like it better without personally.

I first painted them black. Just 400 grit sand paper and primer then paint. Held up real well.
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[totallypro]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/128500-build-thread-kenai-ak-99-sr5.html

I took mine off. Just little philips screws. I like it better without personally.

I first painted them black. Just 400 grit sand paper and primer then paint. Held up real well.
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Thanks guys! Is it the bolts that line the inside of the fender? I guess that means they can be easily put back on so I might as well try it, I was expecting double sided tape or some sort of finicky body clip that meant once it's off it's off.

BTW, your air/inverter setup in the back is awesome!

 

[psraff]

Thanks guys! Is it the bolts that line the inside of the fender? I guess that means they can be easily put back on so I might as well try it, I was expecting double sided tape or some sort of finicky body clip that meant once it's off it's off.

BTW, your air/inverter setup in the back is awesome!

exactly. I put all my little screws back in to fill the holes. No double sided tape or anything.

Maany thanks!!!!

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[Scramble]

Can't help you with removal, but I think 4Runners without all the 90s BS they thought looked "good", looks great without. Less is definitely more.

Here's a pic of (not my) 4Runner with no flares: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/5e/6d/0d/5e6d0deefe39abcd61bb75b9a5f7154e.jpg

Boxer?

 

[Road Bull]

I would take them off. I did the same. Also even those little skinny chrome flares end up holding dirt, debris, and moisture behind them up against the body. I don't mind the larger Limited or Large SR5 flares, they make the 4runner look a bit more Land Rovery. But, I say if you have the skinny ones, get rid of them. It looks way cooler.

 

[Mark_BC]

I got rid of mine. They left a chaffing line on the fender paint. Get rid of them. The problem now is the fender is unprotected although it does look good. Mud and rocks fly up everywhere. I want to put some Limited flares on and I'm trying to figure out how to do that without drilling holes in the fenders. See my build thread for photos with them off.

 

[phattyduck]

Mine never had them stock... but it was a 2WD 15" wheel truck with the little 225/75-15" tires.

-Charlie

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Boxer?

Definitely!
I like no flares, but I like flares more.
That said, I would take no flares over all the body cladding.
That said, I would take the body cladding over a bunch of holes.
By the way- what do you mean when you say your flares are "corroding"?

 

[totallypro]

Definitely!
I like no flares, but I like flares more.
That said, I would take no flares over all the body cladding.
That said, I would take the body cladding over a bunch of holes.
By the way- what do you mean when you say your flares are "corroding"?

I have the super small ones with the chrome strip, not the limited color matched cladding or the big bushwhacker style black ones (which I actually like a lot, if only they weren't so expensive). One of them is dented and no longer lays flat against the body, another one has a dent in it, and a third one has a pretty big spot of rust on the chrome strip, so the chrome obviously got scraped off at some point in that spot by the previous owner. I got them off today and it definitely looks better without them, now I just have to clean off the 15 years of dirt buildup underneath them.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Oh! Now I understand the corrosion [emoji12]
I don't consider those flares, but I'm not sure what exactly to call them. I guess wheel arch trim? Trim around the wheel opening? Whatever *
There will probably be a rub spot- in your paint- outlining the trim, but it might mostly buff out. Definitely easy to remove though [emoji1360] And won't leave any holes in your body.

 

[Drummermonkey]

I have the super small ones with the chrome strip, not the limited color matched cladding or the big bushwhacker style black ones (which I actually like a lot, if only they weren't so expensive). One of them is dented and no longer lays flat against the body, another one has a dent in it, and a third one has a pretty big spot of rust on the chrome strip, so the chrome obviously got scraped off at some point in that spot by the previous owner. I got them off today and it definitely looks better without them, now I just have to clean off the 15 years of dirt buildup underneath them.

For that cleanup I'd reccomend Krud Kutter. I've seen it at Home Depot or local Ace stores. I've never come across something it won't clean off. Read directions for dilution though, it is damn strong.

 

[Mark_BC]

I used clay (Mothers brand but any will do) and it worked well. I'd be careful of strong solvents, you don't want to melt your clearcoat.

 

[JoeT4R]

[MENTION=160790]totallypro[/MENTION] Could you post pictures of the final product if/when you decide to take the flares off? I have an '01 with SR5 color matched flares and think it'd probably look better without them on, but I'm afraid that I'll have a bunch of ugly holes all on the body and don't want that. I'm torn.

 

[totallypro]

[MENTION=160790]totallypro[/MENTION] Could you post pictures of the final product if/when you decide to take the flares off? I have an '01 with SR5 color matched flares and think it'd probably look better without them on, but I'm afraid that I'll have a bunch of ugly holes all on the body and don't want that. I'm torn.

Yeah, I'll get some pictures for you soon. I don't know if your flares mount the same way, but mine has no holes on the outside of the body only inside the wheel well

 

[totallypro]

[MENTION=160790]totallypro[/MENTION] Could you post pictures of the final product if/when you decide to take the flares off? I have an '01 with SR5 color matched flares and think it'd probably look better without them on, but I'm afraid that I'll have a bunch of ugly holes all on the body and don't want that. I'm torn.

Sorry it took so long but I've got some pictures. What you are describing sounds like the limited body cladding, not what I had. I had the really thin (maybe 3-4 inches tall) black and chrome flares. These were only mounted with screwed within the wheel well, yours MIGHT have other mountain holes on the body, I just don't know.

As far as these ones go, I love the look without them. It makes the tires stick out of the body just ever so slightly, like an inch or two, and gives it a much meaner look. To me it looks a little more badass, almost like I gave it a little lift and some small wheel spacers.

As far as holes in the body, the fronts have nothing noticeable. The bolts there are also used for holding the lining in, so they are all tucked up underneath, you'll never be able to tell they were there. The backs, however, leave a bunch of small screw heads and plastic clips sticking out. They're small and honestly I think I'll just leave them. I could take them out and put the clips out but then there will be small holes there isntead. They would be easy to patch if I had touch up paint, but the screw heads are small enough I'll just leave them.



Edit: Of course the pictures don't work! I'm trying to get them fixed
Another Edit: Now they do work! Click on them for a larger resolution


If you want any more specific pictures just ask.

 

[totallypro]

Edit: Deleted, somehow managed to post duplicate replies

 

[Colorado buff]

it looks amazing without flares