GMC Sierra 1500: Fender Flares Guide

Fenders are generally acknowledged as being located over the front-end wheel well of your truck (quarter panels in terms of the rear). They contour to the shape of the wheel well and cover the stock tire.

Their primary function is to shield debris and dirt that kicks up from your tire while driving. Stock fenders also reduce noise from tires during vehicle operation.

Unfortunately, upgrading your truck tires and giving it a lift will result in less clearance and range of motion. This will impact any off-roading or hard wheeling you attempt to try with a lifted suspension. The available clearance your tire has within the wheel well plays a huge factor in determining its vertical range of motion.

Perhaps more urgently, it's illegal. Lifting your truck without proper fender coverage violates tire coverage laws and could result in hefty fines.

The most important reason to upgrade your Sierra with fender flares is to comply with driving laws so you don’t get pulled over or fined. Beyond this, fender flares are designed to contour to the height and shape of the tire, providing optimal coverage for off-roading and hard wheeling.

Besides, stock fenders leave tires and rims completely exposed to the elements and the eye. Even a plastic fender flare can cover up rust damage on your wheel well.

In challenging conditions, you’ll want a fender flare designed to withstand the impact of uneven terrain and also protect your wheel well from caving in. Armored fender flares truly do provide another layer of protection for your tires, especially if you find your Sierra climbing over boulders or through tight spaces.

At AmericanTrucks, you’ll find fender flares manufactured from basic crush resistant thermoplastic to stronger materials, such as drawn-over-mandrel steel. Don’t worry; whether you're buying rubber rub rails or a mud grabber, fender flares are designed to be UV resistant so you don't have to end up covering or replacing your existing fender flare.

To provide a brief overview, here’s four reasons why you should purchase fender flares:

• Protects finished paint jobs by shielding against debris and dirt
• Provides a layer of protection for the fender and wheel well
• Adds aggressive styling to your rig
• Complies with the law

You can generally find fender flares as both a front and rear wheel set or as one or the other. When choosing a fender flare, you’ll find each one is different and crafted to the specifications of the vehicle and tire size it's providing coverage for.

Fender flares are also designed for different purposes, whether it’s cloaking rust or adding coverage to the width of your tires. The fender flare height essentially represents how far up the fender (starting from the bottom lip) the flare will cover.

Tire coverage measurement is specific to the size of the tires and how far it contours over the width of the tire. Be sure to talk to a specialist about the size of your tires if you have larger tires or a lift on your truck to find the right fender flare for you.

Once you know the specifications of the fender flare, it’s time to choose the style you wish to show off. As a side note, some fender flares are designed to pair up nicely with mud flaps and there is even fender flare trim available if you’re looking for added style. There are four styles of fender flares to choose from:

Street Style: A low-profile fender flare that provides necessary coverage with a subtle appearance. These are often used by sport trucks and found on showroom Sierras.

OE Style: A higher-profile fender flare that accents the look of your stock fender. They provide the necessary coverage you need for a small lift and also cover up any rust and damage to your fender and wheel well.

Pocket Styles: A bolt-on fender flare that doesn’t require drilling. These are used by off-roaders for their immense coverage and burly appearance.

Extended Style: This wide, cut-out fender flare is ideal for the largest tires and lifts you can throw on your Sierra. They also have the most aggressive look.

Some fender flares will require drilling while other are designed to match perfectly to existing bolts in your fender. For these, we suggest you enlist a mechanic or specialists for installation.

OEM-style fender flares are a simple bolt-on installation; the process should be as easy as removing the stock one and replacing it with the new one.

Generally, this process requires bolting on fenders flares to the back of the fenders using the factory holes provided for you. Some fender flare kits even come with automotive tape to provide extra security to your fender flare installation. As always, consult an owner’s manual before installing a new set of fender flares.