Fiberglass fenders

[cr500taco]

I was in an accident last week and my left front fender needs to be replaced on my '97 Tacoma 4WD. So, i got to thinking about getting fiberglass fenders, instead. Was wonderig if there's any advantage to them if the truck is not LT.

The truck has a 2.5" lift, but running stock 31X10.5X15 tires with stock wheels. I beleive the backspacing of the wheels are 4.5" and the width are 7.5". I am going to be getting 33" equivalent tires with 16" wheels in the futrue.

Wondering if the fiberglass fenders are worth getting, since there will be the cost of both being installed and painted. If so, which fenders do you guys recommend?

 

[Deleted member 13060]

For what it's worth......

I saw a '05 or newer Tacoma yesterday with what looked like +3 fiberglass front fenders. The front suspension was stock width and wheel offset was pretty close to stock.
Since the rear wheels and tires were under the fenders I would assume the fronts would have been too.
I could see no reason or benefit from/for the fenders and in my opinion it looked goofy.
Wish I would'a snapped a pic or two.

YMMV RON

PS a lot of work had gone into paint and fitting but the body lines were still off at the door and hood.

 

[Blender]

Fitment is almost always worse than stock and the fiberglass companies are difficult to deal with. Fiberglass does have a higher cut arch and may allow the tire to tuck into the fender even with wider tires due to the bulge. The first few shops I went to gave me high install quotes $1200+ and were unfamiliar with fiberglass.

My advice would be to square away the suspension wheels and tires, then measure the bulge needed to fit how you want. Ttora's LT section should have some fitment comparisons, or maybe guys here can help.
Order though a reseller. The fiberglass companies are famous for slow delivery. A reseller may cost a little more, but they will do the hounding required to get you your product.

 

[Clutch]

No real advantage other than clearance, which you don't need with your setup. Might have to hammer the pinch weld flat on the inner fender for 33's, but that is about it. I have run 33's in the past with the same specs as you...no mods were needed for me.

Should be able to get a steel fender and have painted for under $100.

 

[mtnkid85]

The obvious upside would be increased tire coverage, which is wonderful for driving down endless muddy dirt roads.

 

[cr500taco]

Thanks for the inputs. I'll stick with the stock fenders.

 

[Clutch]

You're welcome

 

[zidaro]

Im running Glassworks Unlimited glass.
Just put them on a couple months ago. Fitment is spot on once you trim them properly, and i will admit that i had them installed just for that reason- and because the relationship that the installer had with Glassworks. Fenders are built to order, it took 3 weeks to get them once i paid. Very thick glass, finish is blemish free, and my opinion is they look great. Need paint, but that will come after a bumper is set.

They look ridiculous with stock wheels, and your going to need an aftermarket bumper- as you can see

once you throw a set of real wheels on, looks improve.

Glass helps keep the gravel, mud, and the coppers off your rig and gives you more clearance instead of cutting out your stockers. Opens up your wheel/tire options.

 

[zidaro]

Will the rear be modified to match, or left stock? Looks rather strange with the front tires sitting wider than the rear, IMO.

The front and rear tires are in line with each other. Its just the fenders that are bulging out in front.
Not planning to run rear bulging fenders. Although there are glass fenders for the rear available.
The rear quarters and fenders are much more vulnerable to rocks, so having them stick out puts them in the path. Versus having the tire stick out and push the rear around the obstacle.
I do plan to run sliders, and some type of rear bumper with a wrapped tube under the rear fender- soon as i get busy and that may help with the strangeness?

 

[Crenshaw]

Are there any designs for the newer trucks similar to the www.toyotafiberglass.com fenders? They look pretty sweet since even the high clearance ones aren't really flared out, just up to create some more room. They don't look as silly with stock-ish width/offset wheels.