In the event that you're hunting intended for a set of 2003 dodge ram fender flares , a person probably get into a single of two camps: you're either attempting to hide some of that traditional 3rd-gen wheel nicely rust, or you've just slapped upon some wider auto tires and don't wish to pelt your paint with gravel. Either way, adding flares any of those enhancements that completely shifts the personality of the truck with no requiring an additional home loan.
The 2003 model 12 months was an excellent time for the Ram. This had that daring, semi-truck styling that really set it apart from the Ford and Chevy offerings of the particular era. But let's be real—while the engines in these types of things (especially the particular early Hemi or maybe the 5. 9 Cummins) might last forever, the body sections sometimes struggle to keep up. That's where a good set of fender flares is necessary.
The reason why These Trucks Need Flares So Terribly
It's no secret that the early 2000s Dodges have a slight reputation for "the decay. " In case you live in the salt belt, you understand precisely what I'm talking about. The trunk wheel arches on the 2003 Ram are notorious for bubbling upward and eventually becoming a crumbly clutter.
Today, if you're the perfectionist, you might spend thousands upon a body store to cut out your metal and welds in new areas. But for the particular rest of all of us, 2003 dodge ram fender flares would be the ultimate "fix-it" hack. They include up those unattractive spots and maintain the particular truck looking sharpened for several more years.
Beyond the corrosion issue, there's the easy matter of physics. If you've upgraded to offset tires or beefier 35-inch tires, they're likely to poke out beyond the factory wheel wells. Without flares, your own tires are generally high-speed slingshots with regard to rocks, mud, plus road grime. You'll end up along with chipped paint all along the aspect of your doors and bed. The good set of flares catches that particles before it damages your finish.
Picking the best Design for Your Ride
Not all flares are developed equal, and the "right" one depends completely on what type of look you're choosing. You don't want to buy a set associated with massive, 4-inch wide flares if you're still running stock skinny tires—it'll finish up looking such as your truck is usually wearing shoes that will are three sizes too big.
The Rugged "Pocket" Style
This is one of the most popular choice for your 2003 Ram. You've noticed them—they have these exposed stainless-steel bolts sitting in concave "pockets" along the advantage of the surface. It gives the truck a heavy-duty, industrial look.
The cool thing is that those bolts are usually just for show. You don't actually have to exercise into your fender to install them. They give you that will "bolted-on" aesthetic with no the permanent dedication of putting openings in your linen metal. These are usually perfect if a person have a lift kit and some wide-offset wheels.
The Clean "OE" Look
In case you're not into the whole "tough guy" off-road appearance and just need something which looks such as it could have come from the factory, OE-style flares are the strategy to use. They're usually much slimmer and the actual natural body lines associated with the 2003 Dodge Ram perfectly.
They provide a subtle bit of protection and are great for hiding minor rust or scratches without drawing too very much attention to by themselves. They look specifically good on trucks that have the more stock elevation or just an easy leveling kit.
Street and Extended Flares
There's also a middle ground. "Street" flares are extremely low profile, while "Extended" flares offer more protection than OE designs but without the fake bolts associated with the pocket design. If you've obtained a dually or perhaps a heavy-duty 2500, occasionally these extra-wide flares are actually a legal requirement within some states to maintain your tires "covered" by the bodywork.
Dealing along with the Infamous Mattress Rust
In the event that you're buying 2003 dodge ram fender flares particularly to hide corrosion, I've got some advice: don't just slap them on and forget about it. If a person cover up active rust without treating it, it's just going to keep eating away in the metal at the rear of the flare.
Before you decide to set up the new flares, it's an intelligent move to wire-brush away from the loose flakes and hit the area with several rust-inhibitor spray or even a bit of paint. This doesn't have to look pretty—the flare is going to hide it anyway—but it'll slow straight down the decay and give the flares a more solid surface to install to.
What to Look intended for Before You Buy
When you're shopping close to, it's easy to obtain tempted from the least expensive set you find upon a random public sale site. But keep in mind that, you get what you pay for right here.
UV Protection: This is actually the big one. Cheap plastic flares will look great for about 6 months. Then, the sun hits them, and they start turning a weird chalky gray color. Look for flares produced from high-quality ABS plastic with built-in ULTRAVIOLET resistance.
Finish: Do you would like them matte dark, or do you wish to paint-match them to your own truck? Most flares come in the "smooth" or "textured" matte finish. In case you plan upon painting them, obtain the smooth ones. If you like the black comparison, the textured types are great since they don't show scratches as easily.
Equipment: Verify the reviews to see what the increasing hardware is such as. You want stainless-steel bolts (if it's the pocket style) so they don't start rusting the particular first time it rains.
Tips for a Painless Set up
Most 2003 dodge ram fender flares are designed to be "no-drill, " making them an excellent Saturday afternoon project. Nevertheless, there are usually a few items that could make the job a great deal easier.
Initial, the rubber gasket. Most flares come with a long roll of rubber trim that sits between the flare and the truck's paint. This prevents the plastic from moving against the steel and scratching the paint. Putting this trim on will be, honestly, the most annoying area of the work. My tip? Keep the rubber trim inside the home where it's comfortable before you attempt to install it. This makes the silicone much more flexible and easier to use.
Second, don't tighten everything down immediately. Obtain all of the screws or clips started freely first. This gives you some wiggle room to ensure the particular flare is properly centered on the particular wheel arch. Once it looks right, go on and snug almost everything up.
If your truck is usually a 2003, there's a good possibility some of the original factory screws in the wheel wells are rusted or stripped. It's not a bad idea to have got a few additional self-tapping screws plus some washers on hands just in case the old hardware decides to put up a fight.
Maintaining Your Flares Looking Fresh
Once they're on, you desire them to stay looking new. In the event that you went with the matte dark look, avoid obtaining wax on them when you're cleaning your truck. Polish will leave white streaks on uneven plastic that are usually a nightmare in order to get off.
Instead, utilize a dedicated plastic trim restorer or protection once every couple of months. This keeps your invisalign aligner hydrated and prevents it from obtaining brittle over period. If you took the particular time to paint-match them, just treat them like the particular rest of your truck's bodywork—wash and polish them as typical.
At the end of the day, the set of 2003 dodge ram fender flares is usually one of the best bangs with regard to your buck whenever it comes in order to truck mods. They add protection, conceal the sins associated with an aging body, and give the particular Ram that wide, aggressive stance that these trucks had been always designed to have got. Whether you're carrying a trailer or just cruising towards the hardware store, they make a 20-year-old truck look like it still has a lot of life remaining in it.