Fender flares for closing wheel gap?
 

I was just perusing the site and reading through a thread about whether or not to lower an FRS. It seems that a lot of people's (mine included) reason for lowering their car is the unsightly wheel gap at stock ride height.

So I thought. There's two ways to get rid of that wheel gap; modify the suspension, or modify the body. After a quick search, I couldn't find anything that has been developed that gives an OEM-style look in the category of fender flares that decrease the visual wheel gap. All the fender flares I found were part of some sort of wide-body kit, or at the very least made a drastic change to the overall look of the car.

Does anyone make a set of paint matched flares that don't look overly ricey, but give that lowered look to a car on stock ride height?

If not, someone should get on that...
:thanks:

[ame]http://youtu.be/wKjxFJfcrcA[/ame]

There's a reason why no one has ever done this for any car. It would throw off the proportions of the car, and make it look taller and less sporty. You could probably replace the front fenders with something that has a lower wheel arch, but on the rear you would essentially have to weld/rivet a flat piece of metal/fiberglass if you do not want a widebody look. And then you would need spacers or aftermarket wheels with a different offset to give it a flush look.

I agree that it makes sense to keep the stock suspension, as it works pretty well both on and off track. Still, keep in mind that this is a cheaper car compared to supercars, which have high-end, finely tuned suspension to still give a comfy ride while minimizing wheel gap.

If you replace the current suspension with good street coilovers (such as KW V3s), you will still get an equally comfy ride while reducing wheel gap. Toyota isn't able to spend the same amount of money on suspension components as KW can.

Seems like one of those ideas you think about when you're really stoned...

I have no idea what he's even talking about. lol

Fender flares? This ain't no 4x4 pick me up truck yo.....

He was probably thinking of something like these maybe?

http://www.classicdatsun.com/new/432flares-blue1.jpg

I'm not saying it would be easy to make it look right... It would probably be quite difficult, but who knows? And no... I'm not stoned haha. Something like what campy posted above is sort of what I mean, but a set that comes down just a little bit further to eliminate a bit of the wheel gap. I think it could be done right, but would definitely require wheels with more poke.

@utekineir

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bImBBTaPDY"]Billy Madison - Ultimate Insult - Adam Sandler's Reply - YouTube[/ame]

Well, if any company did R&D and produce such a thing you'd be the only one in the world buying it OP.

So why don't you just lower it?

No need to berate the guy for trying to do something different...

Something like this probably wouldn't have big enough market, most people who are in the mindset where they want to keep the suspension OEM would also be in the mindset where they definitely would not want to put rivets into their fenders. Modifying the suspension is reversible, modifying body panels is not (unless you're completely replacing the entire panel which can be very expensive).

People on here are so quick to be 'the guy' to rip someone else a new one.

So here is some more sensible feedback. There is no way currently to change the arch of the fenders to close up the gap. And frankly it probably wouldn't look that good if you had a piece large enough to cover up a significant portion of that gap. The tacked on 'flare' would make the car look worse than a stock car with the unsightly gap.

My solution, get a set of springs. Tanabe or Eibach Prokit. Both of these are sub-1" drops, but make a fair difference. I put pro-kit springs on mine, and the gap went from 4 fingers down to 2 fingers, basically cut the gap in half. Partner it up with a larger diameter wheel like 18" and you should be in a good spot without deviating too much from stock spec.

Yeah, I was just brainstorming. I've already got my wheel gap taken care of:

https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hpho...49518857_n.jpg

Chances are you guys are right, but I think theres a possibility that someone could make something that doesn't look too bad. They wouldn't be able to make it "flush" or lose the gap completely, but they could cut it down a little.

Also, regarding the rivets; Would it be possible to use a similar set-up that those stick-on spoilers use? 3-M or whatever...

I think what he is talking about would not extend the fenders out, just down. Picture something more on the lines of a filler strip that is maybe an inch thick in the middle and tapers to a feathered edge on the ends. Now set it under the fender, lined up exactly with the edge of the fender.

Yes, something like that. Although exactly straight down might look a little funny. I'm sure it would have to come outwards a little bit to look right.

Look where the curvature of the fender stops and it suddenly becomes flat for the last inch above the wheel (in the direction from the center of the hood to the wheel). Now imagine the curvature continuing for another inch or so, followed by a similar flat section that is a little lower than where it is now...

Your best bet is to get ZG Flares and that would mean you would have to cut into the body, I know what you're trying to say but I don't think anyone has done that to this car at least. Another way to get rid of the gap while maintaining stock height is bigger tires and wheels, maybe 19" wheels and bigger tires just enough to clear out the gap. I'm not sure about the front rubbing though.

It's not much, but it's something...

http://jdmego.files.wordpress.com/20...68_n.jpg?w=950

http://www.zeleperformance.com/media...ioPhoto866.jpg

Go on the 86worx website and look at the Garage Vary low down fender trims (sorry on my phone so not sure how to link), they are very much like the ones on the zele car above and available for $350.

This is as OEM and as minimal as it can be, the TRD ones. TBH I can't even tell that it's there XD

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...92140676_n.jpg

If you don't mind me asking, what are your wheel and tire specs? You may have reduced the wheel gap at the cost of raising the car, messing with the gear ratio, and also greatly hurting acceleration. I swear I'm not trying to bash.

Lol. I lowered it with a pro-kit and have 18x8.75 +33 wheels with 225-40-18 continental DW tires.

Yes! those posts above are what I meant... so someone DOES make something like that that looks good.

And you were all doubting me... :P