This is my 2003 Safari that I've just lifted 3" and switched from 28" stock tires to 31.5".
In order to pull off the lift I have to open up the wheel wells and also either eliminate the body trim/cladding or modify the trim. The OEM trim interferes in 3 locations on the van. The little "kickouts" hang too low and extend too far out .
I want to try and keep the cladding because it sort of defines the Safari from the Astro. My first idea was to do some complex slicing and trimming of the OEM cladding to try and eliminate the kickouts - but soon decided that this was going to take a lot of work and would probably not look good. So my current idea is to find and buy just the right kind of aftermarket fender flare and line the rim of the wheel opening with the flare, then trim the cladding so as to cope the end and "bury" it into the side of the flare. In my sketches the red would be the new flare and the blue would be how I extend the OEM cladding (Lower rocker) into the side of the flare.
I've found these flares that look pretty good for what I'm trying to do.
My only hesitations with these are:
- The ends taper down a bit too much but I think I can adapt it.
- I have no idea how robust or thick the material is.
- I'd hate to spend $2XX-$3XX on them only to pull them out of the box and discover they are thin and fragile.
I'm open to either plastic or steel. I'm looking for advice from someone who has purchased and used some flares that they think would be mildly strong and carry the off road theme .
One final wrinkle - The flares can't be very wide (at least at the top of the arch) because the sliding door on the passenger side will hit them when it opens.
Does anyone have suggestions? Thanks!
