Here's one topic that's hotly debated: fender flares. It's commonly asked, do fender flares actually improve performance? Are they just for show? Does your Jeep really need them?

Fender flares are some of the most accessible and most affordable mods available to an SUV or truck owner. Not only does it enhance the looks, but it actually does serve a purpose. While the modifications are easy, there's always the possibility of messing it up. This article is aimed at answering your questions about fender flares. We will use our expertise to give you an understanding of fender flares, the types to use as well as when to use them.

4 Wheel Parts has been in the truck and SUV parts business for decades, and as such, we provide some of the most well-known fender flare manufacturers in the industry, like Bushwacker, Smittybilt, and Fab Fours, among a few.

What Are Fender Flares?

Most people's idea of fender flares is the part near the wheel well that makes your truck or Jeep look wider. While valid to a certain extent, let us first discuss what fenders are.

Fenders are the portion of an automobile, truck, or motorbike that encircles the wheel well. The primary purpose of a fender is to stop the tire from launching dirt and other debris into the air. Except for duallies, which still refer to the rear as a "fender," the definition of a fender has changed over time to reflect the location. Fenders are at the front while quarter panels are in the back. The top of tires with factory offsets often have an exposed curve.

Fender flares are the part of the wheel well that extends out away from the body of your vehicle. Sometimes these are stock, but more often flares are bolt-on parts.

What are Fender Flares For?

As we mentioned previously, they are there to further protect the vehicle. During an off-road session in the mud, a fender flare can reduce the amount of dirt thrown around the vehicle, thus reducing the time spent cleaning the truck. These can also help you keep your resale value by deflecting rocks and debris from the truck's body.

Fender flares enable owners to install larger wheels and tires on their beloved trucks. A crucial reason for fender flares is to abide by the law. For example, certain states have a legal requirement for tire coverage. This means If you've just installed a set of 42" wheels to your truck and they are jutting out, the police can fine you for not covering the tire according to the law.

What Styles of Fender Flares are There?

Now that we've discussed what fenders, fender flares, and how they function, we can get to the good parts. What styles are there, and what should you use?

Before deciding on the style, you need to decide on:

• How far do you need the fender flares to stick out?
• Fender flares come in a paintable or black finish. Which would you want?
• Last but not least, which style are you looking for?

Fender flares are generally categorized into five styles. A note to keep in mind is that manufacturers call their products by different names. Sometimes what looks like a street style might be an extended style for another manufacturer. To ease you of this trouble, our experts at 4 Wheel Parts are here to lend their expertise in helping you decide on the best style that fits your truck.

OE Style

Original Equipment or OE style fender flares are designed in such a way that they match the original equipment on your truck. An OE style is an excellent addition to your truck if you want to keep it lowkey and match your vehicle as well. An excellent example of OE Style fender flares is this Bushwacker OE-Style Fender Flare Set made for RAM trucks.

Street Style

Street-style fender flares take it a few steps further than OE-style flares. With an OE, your goal is to have a bit of subdued styling with minimal change. Street style flares stand out as they are not made to fit the truck's design per se but rather enhance the look. They make anyone who notices know that this truck has been modded. This Xenon Fender Flare set is a great street-style fender flare option for older Chevrolet and GMC trucks.

Pocket Style

A truly bold look is what you can achieve with a pocket-style fender flare. Generally, these flares stand out because of the visible bolts on them. A usual element of pocket-style flares is that they tend to be taller and extend away from the wheel, thus creating an impression of being wider. Because of these cool-looking rivets, pocket-style flares are a breeze to attach to your vehicle with minimal intrusion to the truck's body panels. Smittybilt, WARN, and Bushwacker have some brilliant examples of pocket-style fender flares.

Extended or Extra-Wide Style

Befitting the name, these flares extend as wide as allowed to increase the tire coverage. Extended flares have a sleek and minimal look to them but are highly functional. The extended style fender flares offer the maximum clearance, height, and width. These are ideal for trucks with large wheels and tires. A very much used product is this Smittybilt XRC Flat Fender Flare Set for the new-generation (JL) Jeeps.

Cut-Out Style

If an extreme look is what you desire, then the cut-out style fender flares are what you're looking for. Installing cut-out fender flares is a bit tricky as you need to cut your trucks existing fenders to attach these. While a cut-out style fender flare has a more complicated installation procedure, they look pretty badass on any truck! A favorite cut-out style fender flare is this Bushwacker Ford Cut-Out Rear Fender Flares, which are paintable to boot!

Pros Vs. Cons of Fender Flares

On the plus side, fender flares afford an extra touch of customization as well as individuality. More than that, it further protects your truck from rocks and dirt that will damage the paint, which will keep the value of your vehicle intact. It also allows you to accommodate larger wheels and tires.

Cons-wise, fender flares tend to rub on the paint, and you can't always get behind them to clean, which could promote rust.

Key Takeaways

Fender flares are a great addition to your truck, be it an OE style or an extra-extended style fender flare. Speak to an expert on selecting the right type of fender flare for you if this is your first time. We provide professional advice here at 4WP to keep you informed and to keep your vehicle in excellent condition. Browse through our hundreds of fender flare options and speak to our experts today! We offer a price matching policy, any applicable warranties, and top-notch after-sales service.