Jbaker1121's FX50 CUSTOM FENDER FLARES THREAD

jbaker1121

jbaker1121

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09 FX50
So I may catch some flak from this but I'ts an idea I've been playing around with.
I know that I'm usually against "tacking" things on "just to do something" but I was helping my friend search for parts for his SUV and stumbled across an Idea.

You know how we have the plastic trim around the wheel wells/fenders, even with the OEM aero kit?

Some SUVs have fender flare kits that adhere to similar plastic trim bits and add a bit more "Muscle" to the fenders. I'm not talking the huge 6-" out overfenders like track cars and off road beasts, I mean smaller, more subtle trim parts.

(in case you were wondering, the car I'm speaking of is the Taureg)

There are OEM taureg fender flares (that are expensive) but this is what I'm talking about: http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Touareg_1--V8/Search/On_Sale/ES414240/

Click on the video and look through the pictures.... Not that i want to spend that money on a Kit that would have to be modded to fit, but what if we were to find something that "worked" aka gave a similar look - subtle, not too "stuck on" looking, but turned up the aggression a little bit...

PLUS you could fit bigger tires under there (or space them out more) for a more aggressive look and wider track..

I've only looked for a few min at generic ones but we may be able. to find something that works.

What do you think? I know some are against it right after reading "stuck on" since even I am usually against tacking things on, but this can actually be used arguably to increase the performance by letting wider wheels/tires be added.... plus it may just look cool - and can be adjusted to reduce the appearance of wheel gap for those who want to stay OEM height.

here are some generics I found:
http://www.bodykits.com/AIT-Racing/...-Universal-Fender-Flares-_-HIWFENDERB/619816/

even something like this, due to size, would be easier to "cut down" to size rather than buying a set made for smaller cars (OMG truck!!)
http://www.jcwhitney.com/fender-flares-egr-oem-style/p2008747.jcwx

this too, for a more off-road look http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bushwacker-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a7b0fc356&vxp=mtr

also these options:http://www.ebay.com/itm/BUSHWACKER-...ge|Model:Ram+2500&hash=item20cedfcbbb&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/50045-02-Bu...s_Accessories&hash=item43b914907c&vxp=mtrThis

full kit:http://www.ebay.com/itm/50916-02-Bu...Parts_Accessories&hash=item43b9149089&vxp=mtr
Obviously I think we would need TWO SETS OF THE REARS due to the dsign of the FX - ~$400


Looking at truck parts may be my mind being confused from going to school in central PA and now Buffalo NY (lots of trucks around) but I think done right, with the right setup, would add an aggressive look to the FX.....


even something like this: (widebody Taureg from movie Repo Men) http://www.lltek.com/PRS_bin/prs_210_LLTeK_goes_to_movies.htm
http://www.google.com/imgres?safe=o...tbnh=184&tbnw=274&start=0&ndsp=13&tx=66&ty=55
Though that is a bit more extreme


Thoughts? I think this may be a way to be "different" and get a little more of an aggressive look..... while looking "OEM"

Those who know me know I like to do things clean and right, etc.... so If this doesn't look right I won't do it...
I'm trying to scout out a place nearby that would have the fender flares for the trucks in stock just so I could do a mockup.... stay tuned.
 
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I don't know about that Jordan. You would need a good drop to look good, then you would need some cutting in the fender wells along with wider rims and tires to fill it out if you are going to add flares which then should be painted body color.
 
Something similar to what you are looking for:http://www.i-gear.ru/style/details/...i-kolesnih-arok-infiniti-fx35-fx37-fx50-fx30d
They are not that wide like those you showed above but they don't need any modifications and they look pretty good if you ask me.
The problem is the price and shipping. I've got a qoute for 300$ for the 4 pieces (which is not that bad) but the shipping was 500$ to me...:eek.: here in Romania. And i am not that far from Russia...:tongue:
 
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It could be good. I have always loved the way the fender flares on X5's with the sport package look and have always wanted to somehow incorporate that idea into a fender flare for the FX. I think it would have to be custom though because to get that look the plastic fender piece would really have to be modified and replaced.
 
Any body people on the forum willing to undertake this creation? I'm sure the mockup for these would be easier and cheaper to produce compared to a bumper. Easier to ship as well.

I support this idea of fender flares.

Nobody cares about this platform in the aftermarket....the S50, anyway.
 
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jbaker1121 said:
Sorry, wasn't sure where to put it since this can apply to both 1st and 2nd gen FX ;)
Click to expand...

no problem. Every post can ultimately apply to 1st and 2nd gen FX, EX, JX, whatever, however, for a site that is as active as iS, keeping it very organized ends up being a big plus for our members. It also helps you as a poster since my observation is you will ultimately get better feedback overall. :)
 
GEE35FX said:
I don't know about that Jordan. You would need a good drop to look good, then you would need some cutting in the fender wells along with wider rims and tires to fill it out if you are going to add flares which then should be painted body color.
Click to expand...
The plan isn't to go huge. I'm talking 1-2" max with maybe another 5ish mm of wheel spacing. V V V like those, but keeping it to match the plastics


baias6230 said:
Something similar to what you are looking for:http://www.i-gear.ru/style/details/...i-kolesnih-arok-infiniti-fx35-fx37-fx50-fx30d
They are not that wide like those you showed above but they don't need any modifications and they look pretty good if you ask me.
The problem is the price and shipping. I've got a qoute for 300$ for the 4 pieces (which is not that bad) but the shipping was 500$ to me...:eek.: here in Romania. And i am not that far from Russia...:tongue:
Click to expand...

Nice find!! This is almost exactly what I'm talking about. I wonder if I could work something out with them to get it unpainted and shipped....
comes out for $414 from Rubles to Dollars but maybe I can get a better deal since you were quoted $300.... but that's still a lot to pay if I need it to be shipped for another $125 per piece... That's why Im looking locally for parts for other cars that will fit...


drew855 said:
It could be good. I have always loved the way the fender flares on X5's with the sport package look and have always wanted to somehow incorporate that idea into a fender flare for the FX. I think it would have to be custom though because to get that look the plastic fender piece would really have to be modified and replaced.
Click to expand...

I agree. It adds a certain aggressiveness to the SUVs. My plan was to remove the existing plastic fender part, and adhere the new part /replace it with the new/make it fit seamlessly so it will bolt up as if it were a stock part...

bmakkanic said:
Any body people on the forum willing to undertake this creation? I'm sure the mockup for these would be easier and cheaper to produce compared to a bumper. Easier to ship as well.

I support this idea of fender flares.

Nobody cares about this platform in the aftermarket....the S50, anyway.
Click to expand...

Agreed

jdTrader said:
no problem. Every post can ultimately apply to 1st and 2nd gen FX, EX, JX, whatever, however, for a site that is as active as iS, keeping it very organized ends up being a big plus for our members. It also helps you as a poster since my observation is you will ultimately get better feedback overall. :)
Click to expand...

I try to keep orderly haha.

---


So I went to a lot today and measured a few wheel wells and looked at some different parts.

the FX measurements for the wheel wells (plastic part) are 38" opening horizontally metal to metal, 36" inner plastic to inner plastic. About 28" vertically.

I measured a dodge Ram and a fordf150 and the measurements are very close. The dodge was also 38" but the curvature, while also rounded, is slightly different. Only the rear would work since the front bumpers on the trucks usually meet mid-wheel well. (besides the '13 ram)
I went to the local dealer to try and see if they had the flares in stock but they didnt...nor did any truck parts places around (surprised, this is a rural-eque area with a lot of pickup trucks) so I couldn't simply put it up to check the shape.

The going price is around $115 per side (so 4x115 for the set) - so similar pricing to the Russian parts, minus shipping....


Like I said above, I would probably combine it with the factory part so it bolts up just like OEM and you can't see any seams really. (I mean bonding the plastics, if need be. It it ends up working differently, so be it. Bonding may get messy since I would then need to sand it down and It would be annoying to then paint it (I want it to stay the plastic color) to match the plastics perfectly.... Unless I decent to color-match (which I think looks worse because of the step-down from the fender.... like the fender goes flat, then steps down and comes out? painted it looks weird. As the plastic it looks better IMO because it matches the trim running along the rest of the car.

The only thing left to do for this is to
A: see if I can talk down the russians (dont love the curvature though, looks a bit too "sharp")
B: Find a part for another car that fits the curvature and measurements -- I would rather it be too long, for example so that I can taper it down to fit. I still think the dodge ones I posted fit the bill but the curvature is a tiny bit off. Too bad places wouldnt let me return it because it's a "special order"

So I really need to find a place that has them in stock and will let me see if it fits, then go from there. I will try a few other dealers -
I also saw on the road today a Land Rover LR3 with added bumper flares (factory) that had similar curvature to the FX but were much bigger and would probably look best painted - However the issue would then be cutting them to match the rear door which I think makes it look worse with slices through it - this is why I wanted to keep it smaller


pictures:
See how the Aero kit kind of sticks out a bit on the bottom when it meets the wheel arch? It's about 1" - the same amount I would want the flares to be. This was it would be an almost seamless all-around Aero look instead of tacked-on fender flares on an otherwise factory body.
Thus it would look more street than off-roader - pLus the are arguable benefits from running wider tires/track/blocking debris from tires, etc.
remember I have 15mm spacers front 20mm spacers back. Would prob bump up to 20/25 with flares.

measurements:
Fendermeasurements_zps3c8792ad.jpg


^ Also one I forgot, to the bottom of the fender from the middle is about 30-32" - May be beneficial to find one at least this length that tapers to that it can flow seamlessly into the bottom portion...widebody-esque


This sort of retrofitting idea stemmed from my idea for a custom retrofitted front spoiler...
which will be in another thread. (jealous of Lerry's custom splitter/chin spoiler and diffuser...want to get my own! I just prefer an OEM look rather than "slapped-on")

for reference:
LR3 flares (large and painted. Bigger than I am speaking of but for somebody more adventurous may look more widebody if cut to fit rear door opening, etc. I do not want to put in that much work and IMO it may look too tacked on)
http://www.carreview.com/channels/carreview/images/nui/LANLR34.jpg

Dodge Ram flares REAR ONLY(not as huge, tapered, ver small. Basically what I am looking for. Just to come out 1-2" to meet the aero kit lowers.
More of the subtle look I'm going for... (obvi stands out more on the RAM than it would in the application I'm aiming for)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/50916-02-Bu...Parts_Accessories&hash=item43b9149089&vxp=mtr



Sorry for the essay. Thoughts/input/ideas greatly appreciated. :tongue:
 
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my thoughts input and ideas :)

this is def something that has crossed my mind many times and I can really see where you're coming from with this idea. actually I do intend on building my wheel well moldings up a bit much like you are talking about when I build my body kit, however my intentions are goals are more along the lines of reshaping the opening, and closing it a bit on the lower extremities, making the whole opening more like a down facing C vs an inverted U... actually on the first gen it's even worse than a U, it's more like a rounded V because the bottom really bow open for increased ride height... my main criteria is to have the well better fit the wheel at a lowered ride height, much like most cars VS suv's...

now yes, of course the BMW X5 is a good illustration of the type of fender openings I have in mind, actually my plans will def make my moldings a lot more like the BMW design in that I will be adding quite a bit of bulk to the lower ends, kind of like integrating mud flap protrusions into the lower parts, giving me the more closed C look, but...

where the problem comes with making anything stick out a bit is that in doing so, you are really forcing yourself to have to really keep the car jacked way up in the air if you want to also kind of have anything close to the flush look, and if you go the other way and try to get kind of low then you will have to have the wheels really sunk in the wheel well because other wise it will not tuck, it will hit.

if you look at the X5m's you can see that the flares are pretty aggressive but you can also see that the car is way to high. the reason is exactly what I'm explaining which is now the wheel well lip is not something that rides at the outer edge of the tire anymore, now instead the wheel well is sitting on top of the wheel so you really can't get it low or it will hit....

further examples... picture the whole scenario of fender rolling... why do we roll? we roll because the edge lip is maybe 15mm thick, and in order to have the wheel tuck when it fully compresses and not rub we need to either make the edge thinner or tuck the wheel more... basically what you are proposing is the exact opposite of fender rolling and will have the exact opposite effect too, meaning you need to raise the car and recess the wheels rather that the opposite which is to flush the wheel and lower.

in the end any of the cars you see with tacked on flares will need to be at a very high stance... picture something like the X5's or like a toyota pathfinder or something... the only way to get the flare ook and still have a fairly flush wheel at a lower ride height is to actually flare the metal itself, otherwise you'll start to go more towards the look of, remember that blue FX that had big bolt on fender flares out back almost wide body style? that had this exact problem only exaggerated because of how much it actually stuck out. I'm not saying to give up on your idea just that you may have to modify what you are thinking and realize that the center part of whatever you have in mind has to be very thin and not protude or you will run into the problems I'm describing. my plan are to keep the upper center part very much like the stock ones, just start to progressively flare as it goes down... this would be easier to explain with a few drawings but can't do that right now... hope you get what I'm explaining though... it would suck to not realize any of this until after, like the guy with that blue FX with the huge rear flares... wasn't until after he finished the body and then started fitting wheels that he realized but never admitted that it wasn't thought out completely... you've been only thinking about this for days and maybe haven't even thought of this problem, but I've been thinking about this for years :D

in the end the thinner the wheel well edge lip is the more flush and low you can go, making a very thick edge lip will kill the stance more than the flare will help it unless you come up with a way to keep it very thin, almost defeating the whole point
 
I agree with everything you've said.

To be honest I only plan to have them stick out an inche or less, just to bring the plastic trim to meet the aero parts on the bottom. it may actually end up being tapered with more on the bottom than on the top, since when you look at the fenders of the FX the TOP is actually further out than the BOTTOM. So actually it makes more sense to "square" it off by having more on the bottom - say the "arms" of the U shape and less towards the top. the fenders:

top of fender
body / Fender
body--| aero

it's hard to show but if you look at the fender itself with the aero kit you'll get what I mean:
like from the back you see more of the bottom half of the tire than the top, even without spacers/camber

look at the pic above -- the "lip out 1" is what I mean... like there's a triangular space towards the top of the fender and bottom.

So it would be similar to what you're saying; with it coming down more like a C and extending to the flaps (in my case, the aero pieces)

size-wise I still want these to be small, and look OEM.
 
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Yeah, that is an example of what I do NOT want. Those are way too large and don't flow. I want something more subtle and OEM-looking.
 
yeah jordan, I get what you're saying, that's exactly what I meant when I said it will start to flare out towards the bottom... it's really not so much flaring out at the bottom as much as it is flaring out to remain flush and level rather than how it actually goes in towards the bottom now, but I see you do get what I'm saying... only thing is, I don't see too much hope in getting something off the shelf that is going to be ideal, I think the only way it's going to look right is if it's made for it tbh.

what's needed is something that is thin and minimal at the top of the arch yet gets beefier and thicker and bolder as it progresses down the sides, most existing flares I think you'll find are more symmetrical and even throughout the whole arch... not impossible to find something but I'd think going to be difficult.

also you say just an inch, but honestly even an inch is a lot... again, think of fender rolling where even 1/2" or less can really make a big difference...


and HA, that's an ass and a half man....
 
turbocad6 said:
yeah jordan, I get what you're saying, that's exactly what I meant when I said it will start to flare out towards the bottom... it's really not so much flaring out at the bottom as much as it is flaring out to remain flush and level rather than how it actually goes in towards the bottom now, but I see you do get what I'm saying... only thing is, I don't see too much hope in getting something off the shelf that is going to be ideal, I think the only way it's going to look right is if it's made for it tbh.

what's needed is something that is thin and minimal at the top of the arch yet gets beefier and thicker and bolder as it progresses down the sides, most existing flares I think you'll find are more symmetrical and even throughout the whole arch... not impossible to find something but I'd think going to be difficult.

also you say just an inch, but honestly even an inch is a lot... again, think of fender rolling where even 1/2" or less can really make a big difference...


and HA, that's an ass and a half man....
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true. I've just been trying to get a place that has them in stock so I can at least put in next to the FX for shape/size reference. I guess we'll see what happens. need to look around some more and it's essentially trial and error. Its easier to find something a bit too think and sand it down so it meets the taper we require, the problem is the roundness of the wheel arch/fender matching up perfectly so it can be a near-OEM fit. I even want to try and use factory screw locations if I can instead of sticking the part to the existing plastic with 3m tape or something.
You know me, i want certain things to seem OEM
 
Thinking something along the lines of these kits:

subtle. Not going for extremes here, extreme (super wide bolt-on look) doesn't flow with the car..

For the $250 price it may be worth it, but the seller won't respond with measurements. Trying to find them online but cant.
May just visit a local VW dealer.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190894158877?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

still unsure about it, but seeing the Liberty Walk cars at SEMA and having always loved Rauh Welt Begriff cars + the over fender style in general, it's something still on my mind…and for $200 may be worth it if it looks good.

I think it may be something worth doing that is different, aggressive, flows with the car, etc. If I don't like it, I can try and resell them ;) haha.


(of course I realize the contours will be different, the door alignment is different, etc but for the price of $250…while comparable universal parts are $175ish each flare, it may be worth it to cut it to fit and mock it up….it can always lead to something everyone can do)

Turbo? I haven't visited your shop in a while…...
 
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Well, I've figured out that the PROLINE DIVISION R kit actually has a set of exactly what I want as part of the kit. I'm speaking with our Russian FX friend George about getting a set of the fender flares from Proline directly.

Besides the PROLINE ones, i-gear.ru has a set of fender flares available also: http://www.i-gear.ru/style/details/...h-arok-infiniti-fx35-fx37-fx50-fx30d-qx70-v20 (thank you George for the link)

For $315 (set of four) - the pics they have on the site aren't great but they seem to be the same as Proline, however i-gear has a pic with them on a car with the factory aero kit and they seem to flow pretty nicely (although I will keep mine black plastic to 'match' the trim around the car)

So, it seems that I will probably just go this route as opposed to getting my own made, since these are pretty much exactly what I wanted anyway. They appear like they could have been part of the factory aero kit, extending out the fenders just a bit. Unfortunately, this means I either need bigger wheel spacers or wider wheels, lol

Hopefully the shipping from Russia to here won't kill the pricing. if it ends up being ridiculous I prob won't get them just because I don't want to pay a ridiculous amount
 
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I like it, looks like the M flares for X5/6. You'll still have to trim the metal fender underneath if you want to run wider wheels?
 
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