Bushwacker Flat Style Fender Flares
Our Flat Style Fender Flares bring a sleek, aggressive stance to your truck or SUV without adding bulk. Designed for drivers who want maximum tire coverage and paint protection while keeping a low-profile look, these flares extend coverage by approximately 0.75 inches beyond factory fenders. The Flat Style sits flush against your vehicle’s body lines, creating a factory-installed appearance that complements modern truck styling.
We build every set from our proprietary Dura-Flex 2000 material, a UV-protected thermoplastic that flexes on impact and returns to shape. Whether you’re running oversized tires on the trail or navigating gravel backroads, these flares shield your paint from rock chips, mud spray, and road debris. The matte black finish can be painted to match your vehicle or left as-is for a rugged contrast look.
- Dura-Flex 2000 thermoplastic construction resists cracking and fading
- Approximately 0.75-inch extended coverage beyond factory fenders
- Matte black finish ready to paint or install as-is
- No-drill installation on most applications using factory mounting points
- Includes stainless steel hardware and detailed installation instructions
Dura-Flex 2000 material and construction
We engineered Dura-Flex 2000 specifically for automotive exterior applications where impact resistance and weather durability matter most. This proprietary thermoplastic blend absorbs impacts from trail debris and flexes back to its original shape, unlike rigid ABS plastic that cracks under stress. The material includes UV inhibitors throughout the compound, not just surface-applied, so the matte black finish resists fading even after years of sun exposure in desert or coastal climates.
Each flare undergoes a multi-stage molding process that creates uniform wall thickness and eliminates weak points. We integrate reinforcement ribs on the backside of every panel to maintain shape during installation and prevent warping in temperature extremes. The factory edge treatment creates a smooth transition between the flare lip and your vehicle’s body, eliminating the raw plastic look common in budget alternatives.
Installation process and hardware
Most Flat Style applications install without drilling into your vehicle’s body panels. We design each fitment to use existing factory mounting points and body clips, preserving your truck’s resale value and simplifying future removal if needed. The kit includes vehicle-specific stainless steel hardware, plastic body clips where required, and installation instructions with photos keyed to your exact year and model.
Installation time and tools
Plan for 60 to 90 minutes for a complete four-flare installation with basic hand tools. You’ll need a Phillips screwdriver, 10mm socket, and trim panel removal tool to access factory mounting points. Some applications require minor trimming of plastic fender liner material to achieve perfect fitment around larger tire packages. We include detailed trimming templates in those specific kits to guide your cuts.
Fitment coverage and tire clearance
Flat Style Fender Flares add approximately 0.75 inches of coverage measured from the factory fender edge to the outer lip of the installed flare. This extension accommodates tire upgrades in the 1 to 2-inch diameter range on most trucks without requiring suspension lifts or major modifications. For example, a stock Ram 1500 running 33-inch tires gains adequate clearance for full steering lock and suspension articulation with Flat Style coverage.
Measuring for your build
We recommend test-fitting your wheels and tires before final flare installation to verify clearance at full steering angle and suspension compression. The low-profile design of these fender flares works best when your tire sidewall sits within 0.5 to 1 inch of the flare lip at static ride height. If your build includes a 3-inch or larger lift with 35-inch-plus tires, our Pocket Style or Cut-Out flares offer wider coverage options.
Fender flare styles for every build
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Common questions about Flat Style installation and fitment
Most Flat Style applications install without drilling using factory mounting points and body clips. We design each vehicle-specific fitment to preserve your truck’s original body and maintain resale value. The installation kit includes all necessary stainless steel hardware and clips.
A small number of older vehicle applications may require 1-2 pilot holes in non-structural areas, which will be clearly noted in the product fitment details and installation instructions for your specific year and model.
Flat Style flares extend approximately 0.75 inches beyond your factory fender edge, providing coverage for tire upgrades in the 1 to 2-inch diameter range on most trucks and SUVs. This works well for common upgrades like going from stock 265mm tires to 285mm or 295mm widths without lift kits.
If you’re running a 3-inch or larger suspension lift with 35-inch-plus tires, our Pocket Style or Cut-Out flares offer wider coverage options that better accommodate extreme builds.
Yes, the Dura-Flex 2000 material accepts automotive paint with proper surface preparation. Scuff the flare surface with 320-grit sandpaper, clean with isopropyl alcohol, then apply a flexible plastic primer designed for TPO substrates before topcoating with your vehicle’s factory paint code.
We recommend adding a flex additive to both your paint and clear coat to prevent cracking as the thermoplastic material flexes during normal use. Many customers choose to leave the factory matte black finish as-is since it hides trail scratches and complements most truck builds.
Flat Style flares sit flush against your vehicle’s body with a low-profile design and approximately 0.75-inch coverage extension, ideal for mild tire upgrades and maintaining a factory appearance. Pocket Style flares extend 2 to 3 inches beyond factory fenders with signature rivet-style bolt pockets, designed for lifted trucks running oversized tires.
Choose Flat Style if you want maximum protection with minimal visual impact. Choose Pocket Style if you need wider coverage for larger lifts and tires or prefer the aggressive riveted look.
Bushwacker Flat Style Fender Flares are engineered to work with most leveling kits and aftermarket wheel combinations when properly sized to your tire dimensions. The flares mount to your truck’s body panels, not the suspension, so leveling kits don’t affect installation.
We recommend verifying clearance by test-fitting your wheels and tires before final flare installation, especially if you’re running aggressive offset wheels. The flare should sit 0.5 to 1 inch from your tire sidewall at static ride height for best appearance and adequate coverage during suspension articulation.
Plan for 60 to 90 minutes to install a complete set of four flares using basic hand tools including a Phillips screwdriver, 10mm socket, and trim panel removal tool. The no-drill installation on most applications simplifies the process by using existing factory mounting points.
Some builds with larger tire packages may require minor trimming of plastic inner fender liner material, which adds 15 to 30 minutes to the installation. We include detailed trimming templates in those specific kits to guide your cuts and ensure proper fitment.
Yes, our Limited Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship remains in effect even if you paint the flares, as long as you follow proper surface preparation procedures and don’t modify the flare structure. The warranty covers the Dura-Flex material itself, not the finish you apply.
Painting does not void the warranty, but damage caused by improper paint preparation, use of incompatible paint products, or structural modifications to the flare is not covered under warranty terms.