Bushwacker Extend-A-Fender Flares for Ram 1500 – Flexible Protection for Your Truck
Our Extend-A-Fender flares give your Ram 1500 an additional 2 inches of tire coverage without permanent modification. The flexible ABS thermoplastic construction flexes with impacts from gravel, branches, and curbs, then springs back to its original shape. Each flare is paintable and UV-protected to resist fading in direct sunlight.
We mold each Extend-A-Fender flare from ABS thermoplastic, a material selected for its ability to flex under sudden impacts and return to its original profile. When gravel kicks up at highway speed or a branch scrapes the fender, the flare absorbs the blow without splitting or leaving permanent dents. This resilience is critical on off-road trails and construction sites where rigid fiberglass flares would crack.
Snap-On Installation & Mounting System
Every Bushwacker Extend-A-Fender kit for the Ram 1500 installs without drilling new holes in your truck’s body. We designed the mounting brackets to align with factory bolt locations and OE clips, so installation typically takes 45-60 minutes with basic hand tools. The kit includes push-pin fasteners, hex-head screws, and detailed diagrams showing each mounting point.
Step-by-Step Overview
You’ll position each flare over the wheel opening, align the pre-drilled holes with the factory locations, and insert the supplied clips. Some installers apply a small amount of painter’s tape along the body line first to protect the paint during test-fitting. Once all four flares are clipped in place, a final torque check ensures each fastener is snug but not over-tightened, which could distort the flexible material. The same Extend-A-Fender mounting approach is used across our full truck lineup, so the process feels familiar if you’ve worked with our flares on other platforms.
Tire Coverage & Wheel Clearance
The 2-inch extension adds coverage for Ram 1500 owners running 33-inch tires or aftermarket wheels with negative offset. That extra width keeps mud, slush, and stones from spraying onto body panels, wiring harnesses, and undercarriage components. We see most buyers install these flares after lifting their truck or switching to all-terrain tires that sit wider than the factory fender lip allows.
You retain full steering lock and suspension travel because the flares follow the contour of the factory wheel arch rather than dropping low and restricting movement. Ground clearance at the lowest point of the flare remains the same as the OE fender opening, so you won’t scrape new obstacles on the trail. For Ram 1500 configurations with factory wheel-lip moldings, remove those moldings before installing the Extend-A-Fender kit to ensure a flush fit against the body.
Flexible protection designed for your Ram
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Common Questions About Extend-A-Fender Flares for Ram 1500
The Extend-A-Fender design adds 2 inches of tire coverage beyond your factory wheel opening. For 35-inch tires on a lifted Ram 1500, you may need our Max Coverage flares, which offer 3.5 inches of extension. Measure the gap between your tire’s widest point and the factory fender lip; if that gap exceeds 2 inches, the Extend-A-Fender will leave some tire exposed. Consult our fitment guide or contact our team with your wheel offset and lift height for a precise recommendation.
No drilling is required. Every Bushwacker Extend-A-Fender kit for the Ram 1500 uses factory mounting points and OE-style clips. You’ll align the pre-drilled holes in the flare with the existing bolt locations on your truck, insert the supplied push-pin fasteners and hex screws, and torque them snug. The entire installation typically takes 45 to 60 minutes with basic hand tools, and it leaves your truck’s body unmodified.
Yes, the ABS thermoplastic surface is paintable. Scuff the flares with 320-grit sandpaper, clean them with a wax-and-grease remover, then apply a plastic adhesion promoter. Follow with automotive primer and your chosen urethane topcoat. Many owners have their local body shop spray the flares off the truck, cure them, and install the finished pieces. The UV protection in the base material continues to work under paint, so the substrate won’t degrade and cause topcoat failure.
These flares add 2 inches of width beyond the factory fender lip. That extension is measured from the outermost edge of the OE wheel opening to the outer lip of the installed flare. If you’re running 33-inch tires or aftermarket wheels with moderate negative offset, the 2-inch coverage typically keeps tire spray and debris off your rocker panels and quarter panels.
No, these flares follow the contour of your factory wheel arch and do not hang lower than the OE fender opening. Ground clearance at the lowest point of the flare remains the same as stock, so you won’t scrape new obstacles on trails or steep driveways. The design maintains full steering lock and suspension travel without interfering with tire movement.
Each kit includes four flares for all wheel wells, push-pin fasteners, hex-head screws, washers, any necessary brackets, and a printed installation guide with exploded-view diagrams. You do not need to purchase additional sealants, adhesives, or specialty tools. If you plan to paint the flares, primer and topcoat are sold separately.
Yes, the ABS thermoplastic construction flexes when struck by gravel, branches, or curbs, then returns to its original shape. This flexibility prevents cracking and permanent deformation that rigid fiberglass flares often suffer. Our UV inhibitors are blended into the polymer during manufacturing, so the material resists fading and brittleness even after years of sun exposure and repeated impacts.