Fitment Considerations for Ford F-150 Fender Flares: Trim, Model, & Tire Pairings

The Ford F-150 is the most popular truck of all time and while that might have something to do with its versatility and capability, it’s also because it’s so customizable. You have a lot of different options when it comes to the way your F-150 looks and fender flares are a great option. They offer both a rugged, sporty look and protection for the rest of your truck’s finish. Knowing what to consider when it comes to F-150 fender flare fitment will help you make the right choice for your particular pickup and ensure that installation goes smoothly so you can hit the road.

Benefits of Ford F-150 Fender Flares

Fender flares are a relatively simple modification but they can offer a lot of practical and aesthetic benefits. On the practical side, they help keep mud, gravel, and other debris from flying up and damaging the finish on your truck. This is especially important if you have upgraded to larger wheels, which have a greater surface area for debris to get caught on and damage your paint. F-150 fender flares can also drastically change the look of your truck without having to do major mods like painting or bodywork. Subtle flares can give your truck a sleek, low-profile style, while a more aggressive design will have a rugged, off-road-ready appearance. Depending on the look you’re going for, you can find something that will suit your specific aesthetic.

What to Consider When Choosing Ford F-150 Fender Flares

Before you decide on a set of F-150 fender flares, you have to know what to look for. Not every set is going to be right for your specific truck and your style preferences. There are a few factors to consider before making the purchase and knowing what they are will help you find something that will take your pickup to the next level.

Trim

The Ford F-150 is offered in a wide range of trim levels, each with its own set of accessories and styles. These F-150 trims can have attributes that might affect the compatibility of fender flares. High-end models, for example, may already have chrome flares or moldings that would need to be removed before aftermarket flares could be installed. Off-road-oriented trims may also need additional modification since they might have wider bodies or different equipment that would be in the way of a set of flares. Knowing your trim level will help you choose the perfect set for your specific truck.

Model Year

The F-150 is constantly being refreshed by Ford, which means that the dimensions and style of the body could change from year to year. For example, Ford switched to aluminum body panels in 2015, which changed the contours of the wheel wells. In 2021, a redesign modified the lines and made them sharper. The kit that you choose should be for the exact model year that you have; otherwise, you may run into issues with fitment when you install the flares.

Body Style

There are many different body styles available for the F-150 and this will have a major effect on whether or not your fender flares will fit. The front fenders are typically consistent between the crew cab and regular cab styles but the wells in the back can change depending on the length of the bed. If, for example, you have a work truck variant of the F-150, the bed will almost always be longer than it would be in a different trim. This means that you will need a different set of flares from style to style, so it is important to note this when purchasing your kit.

Tire Size

Tire size is one of the most important factors that will dictate what kind of fender flare kit you should be looking for. While stock tires probably won’t extend beyond the wheel wells, any kind of non-OEM tire or larger-sized setup will. All-terrain or mud tires often extend past the wheel wells, which means you will need a deeper pocket for your fender flares like these from