victim@execulink.com wrote:
>
> I'm waiting very paticently for my 98Dakota sport but have a question about Dodges wheel
> flairs.If these are installed at the dealership will there be a risk of rattling on the
> body or rust forming were they drill holes to attach them? It would be nice if Dodge had
> this option for us 2wheelers as the 4x4 has that GRRRRRRRRRR look with the flairs on.
>
> Does anyone know if dealer installed wheel flairs will rattle on the body or rust appear
> were holes are drilled?
I bought the factory flares for my 98 Dak RC 4x2 and installed them
myself. Yep, then look GRRRRRRRRRREAT. You have to order them using the
paint code for your vehicle (flame red is PR4).
The fenders of all 97-98 Daks (4x2 and 4x4) are all pre-punched for the
flare mounting screws, so no drilling in sheet metal is required. The
flares attach both with screws and with an adhesive strip which sticks
to the side of the fender to help keep the gap closed. Attachment system
seems to work well - mine have been on since before Christmas and have
been through lots of rain and washes. Don't think rattles would be
possible given this mounting setup.
One thing I discovered about the factory flares though - the lower rear
mounting holes in the flares are slightly misaligned. If the flares are
installed without correcting this, the rear bottom edge of the flare
will have about a 1/4"-3/8" gap where it meets the body where they wrap
under the curve. Almost all of the 4x4s I have seen exhibit this gap. By
drilling a new 3/16" hole in the flare (soft plastic, easy to do) 1/4"
lower than the factory hole, you can snug the rear end of the flare
right up to the body with no gap. Once the pan-head mounting screw is in
place, you can't see the extra hole unless you're really looking for it.
As far as rust is concerned, the only real possibilty is from where the
self tapping mounting screws cut into the pre-punched fender holes. If
you're concerned about it, you can get your hand behind there and put a
dab of silicone sealant on each screw where it protrudes through the
fender sheet metal (I guarantee you that they don't do this at the
factory or the dealership).
Good luck.
jeff
98 RC 4x2 V8 5spd 3.55SG flares
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