Hello - I've been a member on this site for a few years, but have never posted anything. I am wondering if 2011 wheel opening moldings came on all models. I have a 2011 FX4. The previous owner put aftermarket fender flares on. I would like to remove them. I am having issues getting the screws out, but just curious what I am going to run into. If I grind the screw heads off, will it cause me other issues. I cannot see what is behind there. If there is supposed to be factory molding, I will have to get some before taking the aftermarket stuff off. Did some models come without the molding? Any help would be appreciated

 

only FX4, lariats, KR and plat. came with those mouldings

 

Would anyone out there have a set to put on a 2011 FX4? I want to take off the aftermarket flares and reinstall the factory wheel opening molding.

 

most people seem to be covering up rust when they put on aftermarket flares. And the flares are often bigger than stock (in models that had any).

No idea about your situation, but I’d at least consider the possibility of what you may find under there before removing.

 

If you are looking for oem flares, I would check out craigslist and fb marketplace. Shipping a set would be twice the cost of the actual flares, if not more. FX4 flares were the textured dark grey / black. I believe all the other trims were paint matched. I had a black 2011 FX4 previously and the first thing I did was track a set of painted flares and painted to match and removed the textured black ones. Looked a million times better.

 

I tried to look in there the best I could. It does not seem to be rusted out. I am just unsure of what I will run into by removing the flares. Mine are screwed on, but doesn't seem like into the fender lip. I don't want to remove them and then my inner fenders are not attached because I removed a screw that was needed. The screws are rusted, so will need the heads ground off to remove. Maybe I will just leave them on. I just personally think they look kind of goofy. A bit too wide for the factory size tires that are now on it.

 

Are your flares now like the "pocket style" flares? They have all these screws in pockets around the outer edge? If so, those screws are only for decoration. They mount at the bottom of the front and rear of the wheel arch and then some bracket piece around the top of the arch... at least thats how the set I installed on my friends were. I was thoroughly less than impressed with the mounting method.