Bushwacker Extend a Fender Flares
Bushwacker Extend-A-Fender flares are an industry-standard exterior truck styling and body protection upgrade engineered for truck owners who upgrade to wider aftermarket wheels and aggressive off-road tires. When you install oversized all-terrain tires or negative-offset wheels, the tire tread extends past the factory steel wheel arches. Bushwacker's Extend-A-Fender series delivers 1.5 to 2.5 inches of additional horizontal tire coverage, providing a sleek, smooth, factory-integrated profile that shields truck body panels from paint-chipping highway gravel and flying mud.
Aesthetic Design and Dura-Flex 2000 ABS Engineering
Unlike Bushwacker's aggressive Pocket Style flares—which feature prominent industrial simulated chrome rivets recessed into exterior bolt pockets—the Extend-A-Fender line delivers clean, smooth, sophisticated contours. Engineered to mimic original equipment manufacturer (OEM) design lines, these flares expand wheel arch width without aggressive tactical styling, making them the premier choice for luxury trucks, daily drivers, and understated off-road rigs.
Under the hood, Extend-A-Fender flares are manufactured from Bushwacker's proprietary Dura-Flex 2000 ABS composite polymer. This heavy-duty, thick material offers 100% built-in UV protection to prevent sun fading, chalking, or cracking under harsh desert sunlight. The material maintains extreme mechanical flexibility and impact resilience: when striking tree branches or trail obstacles, the flare flexes and rebounds rather than shattering like cheap rigid fiberglass.
Review this comprehensive comparison contrasting Bushwacker Extend-A-Fender flares against other major Bushwacker flare lines.
| Bushwacker Flare Model | Additional Tire Coverage | Exterior Styling Appearance | Mounting Hardware Profile | Best Vehicle Aesthetic Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extend-A-Fender Flares | 1.5" to 2.5" Width Extension | Sleek, smooth, continuous factory-style curves | Hidden mounting hardware inside wheel well | Stock to mildly lifted trucks with wider tires |
| Pocket Style Flares | 1.75" to 3.0" Width Extension | Aggressive, bolted tactical off-road styling | Decorative exposed stainless steel rivets in pockets | Lifted trucks, aggressive mud-terrain tires, trail rigs |
| OE Style Flares | 0.50" to 1.0" Width Extension | Slim, ultra-low profile factory replacement | Completely hidden interior fasteners | Stock wheel setups seeking basic stone chip protection |
| Cut-Out Fender Flares | 2.5" to 4.5" Width Extension | Massive wheel well expansion; requires sheet metal cutting | Exposed heavy-duty exterior bolts | Extreme rock crawlers fitting 40"+ monster tires |
| Max Coverage Pocket Style | 2.5" to 3.5" Width Extension | Extra-wide pocket design for negative-offset wheels | Exposed stainless steel hardware | Deep-dish wide wheels (-24mm or -44mm offsets) |
Extend-A-Fender flares come in an attractive OEM-style matte black textured finish that can be installed as-is or painted to match vehicle body color.
Tire Coverage Law Compliance, Paint-Matching, and Installation
Installing Extend-A-Fender flares is not merely an aesthetic enhancement; it is frequently a legal requirement. Motor vehicle equipment statutes in many US states mandate that automotive fenders must completely cover the entire width of the tire tread to prevent wheels from launching stones and gravel into following motorists' windshields. Installing 1.75 inches of Bushwacker tire coverage restores vehicle compliance and prevents costly highway police equipment citations.
Installation is remarkably straightforward and requires zero drilling into the exterior steel truck body on most modern applications. The flares mount into pre-existing factory screw holes located inside the inner wheel well lip using supplied automotive-grade clips, stainless screws, and factory splash shield fasteners. A medical-grade 3M rubber edge trim gasket lines the inner perimeter of the flare, isolating the plastic from the truck paint to prevent vibration chafing and sand scratches.
The following diagnostic chart outlines common installation considerations and fixes for Bushwacker fender flares.
| Installation Consideration | Potential Installation Mistake | Operational Risk | Pro Technician Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber Edge Trim Gasket | Stretching the rubber gasket during application | Gasket shrinks and peels off flare perimeter | Press gasket on firmly without stretching; trim flush. |
| Sheet Metal Chafing | Installing over dirty or waxed vehicle paint | Trapped grit vibrates and rubs through clearcoat | Clean body with isopropyl alcohol and install paint protection film. |
| Custom Color Paint-Matching | Using standard spray paint without flexible adhesion promoter | Paint flakes and spiderwebs when flare flexes | Prep with scuff pad, apply plastic adhesion promoter, use flex-additive paint. |
| Wheel Well Liner Fastening | Over-torquing screws into plastic factory clips | Stripped clip threads; loose flare rattling at speed | Hand-tighten screws to firm snugness without power drills. |
Applying a 1-inch strip of clear 3M paint protection film (PPF) along the body line where the rubber gasket touches ensures zero paint wear.
How to Install Bushwacker Extend-A-Fender Flares in 5 Steps
Follow this step-by-step automotive accessory guide to prep, seal, and mount Bushwacker fender flares.
Wash and Decontaminate Truck Wheel Arches
Thoroughly wash the truck wheel wells and wipe the surrounding body paint with 70% isopropyl alcohol to remove wax and road film.
Affix 3M Rubber Wiper Edge Trim to Flares
Peel the red adhesive backing and press the U-shaped rubber edge trim continuously along the top inner edge of all four flares.
Remove Factory Wheel Well Liner Screws
Use a socket or Torx driver to remove the existing factory screws from the inner lip of the vehicle's front and rear wheel wells.
Align Flare and Fasten into Existing Holes
Hold the Extend-A-Fender flare firmly against the body, aligning its pre-drilled holes with the factory sheet metal holes, and insert screws.
Smooth Rubber Gasket with Supplied Tool
Use the curved plastic edge-trim wiper tool to smooth the rubber gasket flat against the vehicle paint for a seamless, watertight seal.
Frequently Asked Questions (8 Questions Answered)
Q1: How much tire coverage do Bushwacker Extend-A-Fender flares provide?
Extend-A-Fender flares typically provide between 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches of additional horizontal tire coverage depending on the specific truck model.
Q2: Do you have to drill into your truck to install Bushwacker Extend-A-Fenders?
No, on virtually all modern full-size pickup trucks, Extend-A-Fender flares utilize existing factory wheel well screws and supplied clips with zero exterior drilling.
Q3: Can Bushwacker Extend-A-Fender flares be painted?
Yes, they arrive in a smooth matte black textured finish and are 100% paintable; professional body shops use plastic adhesion promoter and flex-additive automotive paint.
Q4: What is the difference between Pocket Style and Extend-A-Fender flares?
Pocket Style flares feature aggressive industrial recessed bolt pockets with stainless steel rivets, whereas Extend-A-Fenders have a clean, smooth, factory OEM appearance.
Q5: Will fender flares damage my truck's paint?
If dirt gets trapped behind the rubber seal over years, minor rubbing can occur; installing clear paint protection film (PPF) beneath the seal completely prevents this.
Q6: What material are Bushwacker flares made from?
They are thermoformed from proprietary Dura-Flex 2000 ABS material, an impact-resistant composite that is 100% UV-protected against fading and cracking.
Q7: Are fender flares legally required for wide tires?
In many US states and Canadian provinces, traffic laws require fenders to cover the entire width of the tire tread to prevent throwing road debris at other cars.
Q8: Where are Bushwacker fender flares manufactured?
Bushwacker fender flares are proudly engineered and manufactured in the United States, backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways
In conclusion, understanding bushwacker extend a fender flares provides essential clarity, practical strategies, and actionable advice. By incorporating these foundational insights, adhering to verified safety guidelines, and following structured best practices, you ensure reliable, long-term outcomes while preventing common mistakes. Stay informed, consult certified professionals when needed, and maintain consistent quality care.