Harley#356’s How-To’s
Trimming Fender Flares for Lowered Trucks
Purpose behind the Mod:
For the 02-03 HD trucks, a 2" front drop looks PERFECT, but the tires tend to rub the inner top edge of the flares on big bumps or turns. Somewhat common with stock tires, even more common with bigger 295/45/20 tires that are a popular upgrade to improve the ride, while filling up the wheel wells more. This mod is quick and easy to do once you get over the phobia of taking a jigsaw to your truck! But its definately WELL worth it in the end...no more rubbing, and you can keep the killer slammed stance!
Need:
-Marker
-Set of large cajones
Tools Needed:
-Phillips head screwdriver
-Jigsaw/dremel
-Trim fastener removal tool
Process:
-Remove the screws along the inner fender flare. (Easiest to remove tire unless you have a 90* screwdriver).
-Start prying upwards on fender flare 180* away from the tire to pop the flare off the fasteners.
-Once off you'll see a bunch of bright green clips left in the fender as in Photo # 1.
-Take a marker and mark out the area to be trimmed on the flare. This will obviously be the top most portion of the flare when its mounted on the truck. You are going to eliminate the top flare screw mount, dont worry about it, it's not needed, and removing that area will gain your clearance.
-Use a jigsaw or dremel to trim the flare as in Photo # 2.
-Don't be afraid to take a decent amount out, as long as its on the fender well side, you'll NEVER be able to see it when its mounted back on. See Photo # 3.
-Mark out the other side so they match and repeat. See Photo # 4.
-Using a trim fastener clip removal tool, CAREFULLY pry out the green clips. They'll pop right out with a trim tool, dont try to hack away with a screwdriver, go to the auto parts store and spend 2 bucks on the tool! See Photo # 5
-Snap the fasteners back into the backside of the fender flare as in Photo # 6.
-EZDetail & clean the dirty fender before putting the flare back on as in Photo # 7!
-Reattach flare by pressing straight forward to snap the clips back in as in Photo # 8.
-Replace screws.
-Finished! See Photo # 9 & Photo # 10 for before/after trimming from looking inside wheel well.
PHOTO # 1: :Flare removed & clip fasteners remaining in fender
PHOTO # 2: :Trimming Fender Flare
PHOTO # 3: :Trimming Fender Flare
PHOTO # 4: :Trimming Fender Flare
PHOTO # 5: :Removing Fastener Clips
PHOTO # 6: :Reattached Fastener Clips
PHOTO # 7: :Cleaning Dirty Fender
PHOTO # 8: :Reattaching Flare
PHOTO # 9: :Before Trimming
PHOTO # 10: :After Trimming
Thanks to CDillon & Hoffie for performing this mod on CD's truck for the how-to!