Non-Raptor Ranger Fender Flares without OEM Marker Light

[ADVNTURR]

I am looking at the possibility of adding an aftermarket bumper to the front of my US market '24 XLT that would require the cutting of the fender flares. Unfortunately, the NA market trucks have a reflector/marker light in them that would be right in the cut path so I am looking to see what my options are.

So far the only aftermarket fender flares (in the US) I have seen are the Husky RVL flares which relocate the marker light. I've seen a few trucks on here with them and they look pretty good. I don't really need a wider flare, at least not at the moment, but this is an option I am considering. Is anyone aware of another option I should look at?

The other thought I had was to see if anyone on here with a ROW truck has already upgraded their flares and want to get rid of their factory ones. Although a set from a WildTrak would be preferable (would need all 4), the standard flares from other trims would also solve my issue (would only need fronts). Color wouldn't matter to me since I'd likely have to paint any OEM or aftermarket set anyways, unless someone magically had a set of Velocity Blue Metallic flares.

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[Sauce]

Couple of issues (if I understand your dilemma correctly):
1. I believe side markers are a US requirement, and removing them could lead to tickets, but maybe you don't care.
2. Aftermarket fender flares may require a secure attachment point at the front of the well and if you are cutting them you might have to work around that somehow.
3. The end of the fender flare you cut would be left open. Maybe not an issue if your aftermarket bumper hides it, but it might be visible.
4. Not sure if this is an issue for what you are planning to do, but most of the flares I have seen just mount over the existing flares so you may need to remove the marker light and cut the OEM flares anyways.
5. You aren't looking for more coverage, but virtually everything out there will add coverage for bigger tires (usually the purpose of fender flares).

If you are willing to overcome those obstacles I'd look into non US flares, which don't have a side marker. Predator (UK based I think) has a few options, one of which doesn't extend the flare too much. This is the one I was thinking of. Note that it has two pieces that meet at the body panel gap (roughly where the side marker would be), so depending on where you were looking to cut, this could work well, or it could be an issue.

https://www.4x4at.com/ford-ranger-2023-matt-black-stylish-wheel-arches?cat=4#600=

There are also Alibaba options that don't have the side marker.

I just bought the RVL flares and am going to set them up next week. I plan to relocate my parking sensor onto them, which should be an adventure.

 

[ADVNTURR]

Couple of issues (if I understand your dilemma correctly):
1. I believe side markers are a US requirement, and removing them could lead to tickets.
2. Aftermarket fender flares may require a secure attachment point at the front of the well and if you are cutting them you might have to work around that somehow.
3. The end of the fender flare you cut would be left open. Maybe not an issue if your aftermarket bumper hides it, but it might be visible.
4. Not sure if this is an issue for what you are planning to do, but most of the flares I have seen just mount over the existing flares so you may need to remove the marker light and cut the OEM flares anyways.
5. You aren't looking for more coverage, but virtually everything out there will add coverage for bigger tires (usually the purpose of fender flares).

If you are willing to overcome those obstacles I'd look into non US flares, which don't have a side marker. Predator (UK based I think) has a few options, one of which doesn't extend the flare too much. This is the one I was thinking of. Note that it has two pieces that meet at the body panel gap (roughly where the side marker would be), so depending on where you were looking to cut, this could work well, or it could be an issue.

https://www.4x4at.com/ford-ranger-2023-matt-black-stylish-wheel-arches?cat=4#600=

There are also Alibaba options that don't have the side marker.

I just bought the RVL flares and am going to set them up next week. I plan to relocate my parking sensor onto them, which should be an adventure.

Fair questions with my fairly vague post.

1) While technically you are correct (otherwise Ford wouldn't have spent the money to install them) in practice the chances of getting a ticket for something like that, at least in my area, is basically zero. But to that point, I have thought about adding a micro marker light to the bumper if I end up with a ROW flare. The bumper already has a spot for the parking sensor so that isn't an issue with cutting the flare off.
2) I was assuming I was probably going to need to work out some sort of securing method regardless of what type of flare I can find since, yes, I'd be cutting off part of the mounting. That's a future problem though.
3) This again will depend on what I end up doing. I've seen similar applications where people just put some edge trim over the cut edge and send-it. I know Ironman 4x4 (not in the US) offers a 2pc front flare that already terminates down to work with one of their bumpers, but my chances of obtaining those are low. My other thought is to potentially 3D print an end-cap and bond it to the flare (most are ABS and I could print in the same material for easy bonding).
4) I haven't looked too deeply at the aftermarket options, but I can't say that I've ever seen one that doesn't replace the factory flare, but maybe I just haven't researched enough. The RVL we've both referenced is a replacement based on the instructions I've seen.
5) I'm not actively looking for more coverage. If that's the only option I have, I will run a wider flare and just have the truck look goofy for a while but my honest desire would be to get a set of OEM ROW flares. I don't ever plan on having especially large or wide tires on the truck since I don't want to have to re-gear it to be able to still tow.

I hadn't thought about Alibaba, but that's worth a look; would just be nervous about fitment and quality.

Good luck with your RVL flares, definitely want to see pictures when you get them on.

 

[Sauce]

Fair questions with my fairly vague post.

1) While technically you are correct (otherwise Ford wouldn't have spent the money to install them) in practice the chances of getting a ticket for something like that, at least in my area, is basically zero. But to that point, I have thought about adding a micro marker light to the bumper if I end up with a ROW flare. The bumper already has a spot for the parking sensor so that isn't an issue with cutting the flare off.
2) I was assuming I was probably going to need to work out some sort of securing method regardless of what type of flare I can find since, yes, I'd be cutting off part of the mounting. That's a future problem though.
3) This again will depend on what I end up doing. I've seen similar applications where people just put some edge trim over the cut edge and send-it. I know Ironman 4x4 (not in the US) offers a 2pc front flare that already terminates down to work with one of their bumpers, but my chances of obtaining those are low. My other thought is to potentially 3D print an end-cap and bond it to the flare (most are ABS and I could print in the same material for easy bonding).
4) I haven't looked too deeply at the aftermarket options, but I can't say that I've ever seen one that doesn't replace the factory flare, but maybe I just haven't researched enough. The RVL we've both referenced is a replacement based on the instructions I've seen.
5) I'm not actively looking for more coverage. If that's the only option I have, I will run a wider flare and just have the truck look goofy for a while but my honest desire would be to get a set of OEM ROW flares. I don't ever plan on having especially large or wide tires on the truck since I don't want to have to re-gear it to be able to still tow.

I hadn't thought about Alibaba, but that's worth a look; would just be nervous about fitment and quality.

Good luck with your RVL flares, definitely want to see pictures when you get them on.

Sounds like you've thought it through. Agree with you on lack of a side marker - probably low risk. Take a look at those Predator flares, since thats the closest I've seen to what you are looking for.

Im 85% sure the RVL flares (as well as all the husky and Rough Country) mount OVER the existing wheel arch trim. I'll find out soon enough, but if you look at the install instructions, the existing wheel arch trim is still on there.

 

[ADVNTURR]

Sounds like you've thought it through. Agree with you on lack of a side marker - probably low risk. Take a look at those Predator flares, since thats the closest I've seen to what you are looking for.

Im 85% sure the RVL flares (as well as all the husky and Rough Country) mount OVER the existing wheel arch trim. I'll find out soon enough, but if you look at the install instructions, the existing wheel arch trim is still on there.

Well ...looking at those RVL instructions again you appear to be correct on going over the factory flares. I saw the notes about removing the fasteners and just assumed you were removing the flares (I'm a doer not a reader )

Now I'm super disappointed in so much stuff...what a bunch of cheap lazy companies

 

[Lord Vader]

Well ...looking at those RVL instructions again you appear to be correct on going over the factory flares. I saw the notes about removing the fasteners and just assumed you were removing the flares (I'm a doer not a reader )

Now I'm super disappointed in so much stuff...what a bunch of cheap lazy companies

100% RVL flares mount over existing flares. The removing of fasteners is the inside liner fasteners.

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