Since my new tires stick out from the wheel wells a couple of inches, should I be nervous about rocks, road debris dinging my fenders? Should I get fender flares?

 

If it's really 2" I would say yes. You will have a lot of water and mud ,too.

 

It is about two inches. I do have the splash guards, but I don't think they're going to help outside the wells. So...fender flares?

 

I would. Mine just barely stick out and if it were any more, I would have to consider flares

 

If you drive though gravel alot then I would. If you just use it on pavement then I wouldn't say you NEED to do it. Mine stick out every bit of 2.5". Only place I have rock chips is the underneath part behind the front tire. Every truck I had got those even with factory wheels and tires. The chrome bars help block most of the rocks. When I roll through water or mud it does through it all on the side of my truck though. I guess if you don't mind spending the few extra dollars then it wouldn't hurt to get them.

 

should I get the OEM looking flares?...or the rugged? I know I don't want the bolt-looking ones.

 

I have chips in my paint on the side of my truck from my tires. If they stick out and you are worried about it, get flares.

 

Check out spike strider truck. He has the smooth style flares.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/me...e-strider.html

 

those are nice

 

I haven't seen a 09 with a set of fender flares yet, but Desert Dawg introduced me to some ERG flares off ebay, which were a wee bit more of a flare than FX4 or Lariat.

Might be of consideration but then again i just don't know what that would look like on a 09.

 

getting flares not only help with rocks and chips, it also keeps the truck cleaner. You don't get water and crap kicked up on the side of the truck.

Also, you may want to consider the legal requirements. I think that Minnesota only allows for 1" outside the fenders, then you have to have flares.

 

Thanks, guys!