Fender Flares / Rust

[thejum57]

I just removed one of the rear fender flares to get at the rust. All of the nuts snapped off (surprise) and I tried to get the remaining pieces out of the brackets . It looks like they are part of the bracket. Can they be removed or do I need to find some replacements? Or maybe just use nuts, bolts & washers to re-attatch?

This is what I found under the flares. I don't think it looks to bad for an 86, what do you guys think?

[GirsMJ86]

You don't need the brackets, can just use nuts, bolts, washers. I've done so on several trucks.

[sinkrun]

Yes use bolts nuts washers beside you will not find rear flare retainers not made anymore. If you really want to use the retainers grind the welds off get the broken bolts out and tack weld new in them.

[Eagle]

I have repaired the factory brackets by drilling out the broken studs, tapping for a 6mm bolt, inserting new 6mm bolts, and adding a very light tack weld to hold the new "studs" in place. The originals are 5mm, IIRC, so going to 6mm is a slight upgrade, as well as getting you into solid metal for the new threads.

 

Use anti-seize when reinstalling.

[Incommando]

If you were not set on retaining a factory look an inexpensive option is to get 4 junkyard REAR TJ flares and bolt them on at all four places. This allows you to  trim out the rust. it is just some the mounting holes and then bolt them on. You can gain a lot of tire clearance as well.