Top 5 Universal Fender Flares That 4x4 Enthusiasts Will Appreciate
Most Australian states have rules against vehicles with tyres that stick out from its body. This is especially true for most 4WD enthusiasts that need larger tyres or had their rims offset so that their vehicles would look better and tackle the tracks more easily. Thus, the solution to this problem is installing fender flares as they protect yours and other people’s vehicles from rocks that will be flicked by your tyres.
Luckily, there are a lot of styles, designs, and colours that you can install on your vehicle to improve its look and comply with regulations. It also hides small imperfections like rust or dents around the wheels. Aside from that, a 4WD vehicle isn’t complete without fender flares, to be honest.
So, here are some of the things that you should know about fender flares and five of the best ones that are compatible with all vehicles…
What Styles of Fender Flares Are Available on the Market?
As we’ve said earlier, there are a lot of styles, colours, and materials of fender flares. There are four main types of fender flares and it includes:
Street Style: This should be the one that you should look for if you plan to have a more discreet looking 4WD vehicle. They are also ideal for city-driving as your vehicle won’t stick out too much, but it still offers protection for your wheel wells and paint job.
OE Style: This is like street style fender flares as they are also not too sporty looking. They also offer the same benefits and it’s also easy to install.
Bolt Style: This is one of the more popular types of fender flares as they have a more sporty and rugged look. As the name suggests, it has bolts on the exterior, but it won’t require you to make new holes on your vehicle’s body. They are also very effective even on the toughest tracks.
Extended Style: These have the same benefits of bolt style fender flares, but they have a more toned-down design.
You won’t have to worry about which fender flares to get as they can be repainted to match the colour that you want. In addition, some brands even offer their customers to customise the look of their fender flares right before delivering it to you straight to your door.
What Are Fender Flares Are Made Of?
Almost all built-in fender flares of 4WD vehicles today are made of fibreglass. However, this won’t be enough if you want to go to the tracks as larger tyres are almost a requirement. So, the pre-installed fender flares must be removed as they are not designed to accommodate larger tyres. So, these are the most common fender flare materials:
Fibreglass
Plastic
Flexy
Rubber
Garden Edging
The Best Universal Fender Flares
Enough talk! These are five of the best universal fender flares that you should get…
1. Oz Auto Moulds Wheel Arch Flares 125 mm
https://www.ozautomoulds.com.au/125mm-wheel-arch-flares
We recommend this brand as they are a well-known and trusted brand when it comes to 4WD accessories. The fender flares themselves are made from high-quality materials that will withstand the battering of the outdoors. Aside from that, they are also built to comply with traffic rules.
The fender flare is made from high-density EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene monomer) that the manufacturer guarantees will last for years. Oz Auto Moulds also brag about the glowing reviews that its product has been getting online. The thousands of customers that have already tried their fender flares have shared their positive experience with the product. The customers also love the value for money that the product offers.
As it is made from rubber, it can withstand the harsh conditions of the Australian outdoors. It also adds that the fender flares have the perfect density and compound to look tough and still offer protection from UV rays. Aside from that, the rubber material of the flares was made to have a good finish so that it will look good on any 4WD vehicle. However, the most attractive feature of the fender flares is the price as it is lower than some of the model-specific fender flares.
2. Roadsafe Automotive Universal Arch Flares
https://www.toughtoys.com.au/products/roadsafe-automotive-universal-arch-flares/
Like the first entry, Roadsafe’s fender flares are made of EPDM rubber which was rolled to fit most wheel arch curves. Aside from that, it is also ozone and UV-stable, so the colour won’t fade after some time had passed. The product comes in 30-metre rolls so you can easily make new ones if the one you attached got badly damaged out on the field. You won’t need to purchase new fender flares every time it breaks!
You also have the option to purchase Roadsafe-branded black rubber fender pipings and seal rolls that are available in 100-metre rolls are also made out of the same material as the fender flares themselves. You’ll need these things as they are fitted in between the wheel arch and the fender flares.
3. Tuff Terrain 45 mm Rubber Wheel Arch Flares
https://www.outbackequipment.com.au/45mm-rubber-wheel-arch-flares-4-wheel-set-6
This is also made from the same EPDM rubber material from the earlier options. In addition, they a more durable and rugged option to protect your vehicle from gravel that can sometimes get whipped up by your tyres. They are designed to be installed under the wheel arch, offer heavy-duty protection, and are very useful for fully kitted 4WD vehicles with larger diameter tyres that protrude from the wheel guards.
Tuff Terrain's rubber fender flares are perfect if you often go on trips with unsealed roads or long-distance destinations. They are also:
Compatible with all 4x4 and transport vehicles;
Pre-curved which will make the fender flare installation much easier;
Protected by an industry-leading 5-year warranty; and
6 metres long which is enough to comfortably fit flares on all wheel arches.
4. Clark Rubber Wheel Arch Flare
https://www.clarkrubber.com.au/wheel-arch-flare
Clark Rubber’s rubber fender flares are one of the more popular options in this list. As with the other flares, it offers ample protection for your vehicle and it is also designed for 4WDs with trimmed guards. In addition, it is also compatible with light and heavy transport vehicles.
Key features:
UV resistance
Hardness (Shore A): 80 ± 5
Can withstand temperatures ranging from -35oC up to 120oC.
5. TJM Flex Flares (35 or 65 mm)
http://www.tjm.com.au/en/product/35mm-tjm-flex-flare
The TJM Flex Flares are compatible with all vehicles and are made from flexible moulded rubber that will cover the wheel arches and tyres effectively. They’ll be enough to protect the bodywork of your vehicle from grime, stones, sand, and mud, which is common in both highway and off-road conditions.
It also comes in two sizes, 35 mm and 65 mm, which will make finding the perfect size for you very simple. They are also made from durable rubber that is guaranteed to withstand cracks, splits, and scratches. It is also very easy to install.
How Do I Install Universal Fender Flares?
After choosing the perfect fender flares, the next step will be installing them on your vehicle. Luckily, most products come with instructions that you can follow. However, if it doesn’t have one, then we got you covered! You need to:
1. Remove the factory fender flares and find the bolts that mount them behind. After removing the bolts, it will immediately be detached from the vehicle.
2. Be sure to align the fender flares correctly on your vehicle’s body. You need to ensure that the bumper is aligned with each flare. While the bottom edge must line up directly to the bumper.
3. Get a double-sided foam tape as it will make the process easier. In order to use it, peel the back of the tape and attach it directly to your vehicle. If you are ready to attach the fender flares, remove the cover of the tape on the front and align the holes on the flares with the mounting holes on your vehicle’s body.
4. Make sure to bolt the fender flares properly and check if it is loose.
5. Repeat the process for each side.
If you have a 4WD vehicle that doesn’t have pre-installed fender flares, you will need to make new ones. So, you will have to drill holes in the body. However, if you want to make things simpler, most fender flares come with a template that you can follow. This can be found in the installation kit that comes with the product.
Related Questions
How Do I Get the Right Measure for Fender Flares?
Attach the measuring tape to the edges of your tyre, at that point measure back to the bumper and fold the measuring tape upward at a 90-degree angle. After that, stop when the tape is flush with the fender flares. The result that you will obtain will be the area of coverage that you’ll need.
Can I Use Spray Paint on Fender Flares?
Anybody can paint fender flares. You’ll just need a little bit of patience and don’t mind causing a little mess (in reality, perhaps something a bit more than a little). But this happens only if you plan on getting wild with the spray paint which will surely destroy the fender flares.