Help identifying fender flares please

[bronco1017]

I am going to have some paint work done and would like to replace my cracked flares. I would like to replace these with flat black rubber ones but would like them to fit exactly as the ones I have do. Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[DirtDonk]

No guarantee, but I'd have to say those are Bushwackers. The fronts are common, but the rears are their earlier model with the smaller opening. When looking at their part numbers it's the kit that's only one digit off from the fronts.

The material has changed over the years, so depending on how old yours are, the new material might be slightly different than yours. And if they're old enough, they might not even be Bushwacker. But these days you don't have much of a choice if you want to match that rear flare exactly. All of our flares have wider openings to get more clearance and a more even look.

Wait for other opinions, but that's what they look like to me. Were they originally white or black?

Paul

 

[stagecoach]

I have a question, are the flares painted on or off the vehicle?
Thank you.

 

[bronco1017]

I have a question, are the flares painted on or off the vehicle?
Thank you.

On and it was a very cheap paint job from the previous owner.

 

[bronco1017]

Wait for other opinions, but that's what they look like to me. Were they originally white or black?

Paul

I will try to check tomorrow. They were on it when I bought it.

 

[DanHall]

Those rears look a lot like Warflares.

 

[DirtDonk]

Nope. Notice the leading edge has a more vertical slope to it on his? Ours have a slightly more pronounced forward rake for more clearance.
http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/category/Bronco_Fender_Flares

That's what made me pick the original style Bushwacker 20002-07.
http://bushwacker.com/fender-flares/ford-cut-out-fender-flare-rear-pair-20002-07

The "-07" suffix on all the flares just means it's made of their Black Duraflex 2000 material. It's the only choice nowadays and is a little more textured and slightly more flat hued than their older "-01" Black. The 20002 is the number you want. Anything else is going to require more cutting of the sheet metal. Which is not a bad thing, unless you are worried about the new paint job for some reason.
And I don't say that sarcastically. Everybody here who's ever cut into a Bronco body for the first time had to do it through the existing paint. Whether it was new or old original paint, or a respray that was done before the final cut was performed.
Yes, it's better in some ways to do it before a new paint job, but if you end up having to cut more metal out, just give the new bare edge of metal a quick spray with some paint to keep rust at bay and carry on wheelin'.

Now, if you're trying to avoid the cutting because you don't have the tools, or are not sure you have the skills (it's not that hard though), or simply don't want to pay someone to do it, then I understand that too and you're probably stuck with the flares mentioned above.

Paul

 

[BigToe]

Hey Paul, I think I'm searching for the same flares as Bronco1017, Are the 20002 flares still available or long since discontinued? I realize their your competition but I have a set of warflares and they're just not for me.
Anyway thanks for the info.

 

[DirtDonk]

No worries Big Toe. Thanks.
As far as I know they're still available and will continue to be for awhile at least, for this exact reason. Some people still want to match their existing cutouts and rivet/screw holes the best they can.
Not a bad thing as long as you don't have to clear larger tires. If you notice some installations you will see a half-moon worn out of the inside edge of the smaller flare where the tire hits them on bumps. Not a big deal to some, but completely unacceptable to others.

What is it that's bugging you about the Warflares? They're virtually the same size in the front, and just slightly larger in the rear (at least to the leading edge) than the Bushwackers. Also a bit more flexible for those "custom" installations.
About the only area I think that they've got us is in the final surface finish. Both are easily paintable, but with more of an eggshell type texture to them, theirs probably come out of the box a little more "finer" in looks.
Strength-wise, flex-wise and install-wise ours work very well for most. Not putting you on the spot here, so shout out. Just curious what's got you bugged about them.

We can get the Bushwackers when needed, or you can probably still special order them through your local 4wd store. Assuming there are any in your area that is.

Thanks

Paul

 

[BronCowie]

Those look a lot like the one's BroncoDesign reproduces. http://www.broncodesign.com/

 

[DirtDonk]

Good point. Are yours fiberglass or plastic bronco1017?

Paul

 

[bronco1017]

Good point. Are yours fiberglass or plastic bronco1017?

Paul

Hard to tell Paul. They have a lot of cracks in them where the rivets are. And thank you for your input.

 

[bronco1017]

Good point. Are yours fiberglass or plastic bronco1017?

Paul

Paul, I checked and the were originally white and they are fiberglass.

 

[DirtDonk]

Ok, good to know. The stress cracks around the rivets were a very common sight back when most of the flares were glass and lighter duty plastic. More so on the early plastic ones even than the fiberglass.

You don't have to replace same for same, but it might make you feel better. ;D
Chances are pretty good that our glass flares, or the Bushwackers will fit the openings and might even have all the little dimples in the forms line up with your existing rivet holes. Not sure if Bronco Design's flares have the pre-dimpled spots in them or not.

I ran glass on the rear of my '71, and plastic on the front for probably 20 years. No reason other than the already-installed glass flares were in great shape, but the PO never did the front. So I did, and the look was still coordinated enough that nobody ever made any comments.

Paul

 

[BronCowie]

... Not sure if Bronco Design's flares have the pre-dimpled spots in them or not...

I bought some from BD ~5 years ago. They were dimpled for mounting holes, and they did not match the holes in my old bushwackers.