I'm replacing my '04 STX 4.6L 4x4 Flareside with an identical '07 model. The '04 has been flawless but I'm due for a new one(on order, due in Dec.)
I've been running the 285 18 BFG's and OEM flares and have literally blasted the paint off my rocker panels and leading edges of the back bumper. Also some rocks have been tossed up onto the side of the the box for a few dings as well. I run a lot of off road and looong high speed dirt/gravel roads in Utah, hence the damage.

I plan on running the new 305 18 BFG's (AT) on my centerlines and want to avoid this kind of damage on my new ride.

Question(s): Are there any flexible flares (rubber) available that anyone has used? Any recommendations for mudflaps, maybe some that are removable for day to day driving?

Thanks

 

Check out my gallery I have the 305/60R18's BFG A/T's on Procomp 6079...and Bushwacker....

 

Those flares fit perfect. I'll have to compare the offsets of our wheels.
Is that an OEM skid plate?

 

They do fit perfect..I was totally suprised. I just followed the advice of another member and took my time with everything...especially the rubber seal that fits on the edge between the flare and the body. The toughest part was yanking the OEM flares off. No trick to it, just pull... ...and take your time with attaching the metal clamps when installing the new one..if you get one, you will see what I mean...make sure you get them lined up so they don't scratch anything while you are sliding the flare into place...nothing big, just an fyi.

The skid plate is OEM. I did it myself. Used some high temp ceramic can spray paint and a can of some spray on clear coat. Just followed the directions on the cans for each coat and then on how to spray the clear. I hand cleaned and sanded it before I sprayed it, but nothing special. The best thing is, it only cost about $15 and when it starts to look rough, will just take it off and respray it and reapply the $2 sticker. Got the idea from another member, but he didn't use a sticker, he actually attached a Ford Oval...I didn't want to go that far and have to drill, etc., so found the sticker and thought it looked unique...the clear coat is sprayed on over the sticker..

 

Those flares won't work on a flareside box. Actually none of the bushwacker flares fit.

One member here has modified a set to fit, but it's tricky.

 

Has anyone tried these? (One size fits all rubber molding with wire moldable bead)

http://www.pacerperformance.com/pages/products.asp?id=2

At minimum, it looks like an OEM mud flap would work to keep the damage down. Has anyone tried to put those on a Flareside? My '98 had 'em but they're not an option on either the '04 or '07 STX.

Build date for the new one: 12/4 Can't wait!