Flareless Tease Time

[jamisobe]

Didn't damage anything with the flares. Had the paint and clearcoat peel on one. Just never really cared for the flares / USA add on BS to compete in the SUV market.

I'm much more pleased with the " real " thing than I was with fru-fru 40th I got originally.

Flares weren't a dealer add on and 80's were available all over the world with the added coverage. They were an upgrade that only came on the higher end versions. I think removing them makes the 80 look more like an older, less modern 60 (which I happen to like - just not as much as a good looking 80).

 

[kybishop]

Looks great. I love running flareless. Feels great, free, kind of like running around topless.

 

[spartan]

Re flares - yes - I know that. And I'm sure that there are those that will value your information. Go to Australia and take a look at the 80's there. They didn't all come with flares. Not to mention the five other models that never touched US soil.

Me - the flares and flaps on an 80 are BS. I waited tilll the last year to get one, hoping they would wise up and go back to basics. No such luck.

So now I got a truck set up like they should have been before mr toyota decided to over engineer the thing.

 

[Delancy]

What exactly are you talking about here?

I'm curious, as well.

 

[Kajun]

Looks good. Thx for the tip on the running boards and extra support.

 

[spartan]

I'm curious, as well.

The drip rails on each side of the roof. Originals are metal inside of synthetic. OEM current replacments are fiber with a metal strip inside covered with rubber.

 

[Delancy]

Good to know because I was ripping mine off soon. Had talked to Beno about replacement "covers" and he'd suggested sourcing locally for shipping reasons.

So you're say rehabilitate what's there instead of removing?

 

[spartan]

Good to know because I was ripping mine off soon. Had talked to Beno about replacement "covers" and he'd suggested sourcing locally for shipping reasons.

So you're say rehabilitate what's there instead of removing?

Exactly - don't take the old ones off. I wish I had not. I would have rather - BY FAR - kept what I had. I hope others will take note of this please.

I debated on what to do for some time. Talked to others including Cdan and Beno and made the wrong decision.

The shipping is the whole problem - we got seven of them before finding two useable ones. They are junk.

The new ones are on now - I wish I had my old ones back. I would grind down the tops to metal and forget about it.

 

[thelast13]

Man that is a clean looking truck!

 

[Slowerthanu]

I removed my molding, sanded the drip rails with 1000 and sprayed them first with white zero rust and then semi gloss flat black. Looks pretty decent and there is nowhere for moisture to hide

 

[Delancy]

Man that is a clean looking truck!

X2. I'm regretting the decision to line instead of paint.

I removed my molding, sanded the drip rails with 1000 and sprayed them first with white zero rust and then semi gloss flat black. Looks pretty decent and there is nowhere for moisture to hide

I was hoping someone had done.

So you removed the plastic, prepped, and painted?

Will search for pics of.

 

[Slowerthanu]

I'll post some, haven't taken any yet.

 

[jcope]

I replaced the drip rails. Easy off, easy on. I had given some thought to just painting them, but didn't know what that would entail or if it would look right. I'm a details guy and always want parts like that to be original if possible.

So I just had new ones shipped to the local dealership. They arrived in two huge, long boxes, and were handled with care. Definitely a waste of packaging there, except it would be hard to ship otherwise without damaging them.

The old ones just peeled off. It's important to note where the old ones end before taking them off, or else you lose your reference and have to figure it out. You risk breaking the new ones if you get it wrong and need to adjust. The new ones popped right on with a good push. I also wrapped a piece of wood in a rag and tapped them all along their length to make sure they were on completely.

 

[Slowerthanu]

I replaced the drip rails. Easy off, easy on. I had given some thought to just painting them, but didn't know what that would entail or if it would look right. I'm a details guy and always want parts like that to be original if possible.

So I just had new ones shipped to the local dealership. They arrived in two huge, long boxes, and were handled with care. Definitely a waste of packaging there, except it would be hard to ship otherwise without damaging them.

The old ones just peeled off. It's important to note where the old ones end before taking them off, or else you lose your reference and have to figure it out. You risk breaking the new ones if you get it wrong and need to adjust. The new ones popped right on with a good push. I also wrapped a piece of wood in a rag and tapped them all along their length to make sure they were on completely.

The only problem I foresee with leaving them on is rust. These thing trap moisture and if they are anything like my FJ62, it will eventually rust. Did you lay a coat of wax on the rails prior to installing the trim.

 

[spartan]

No - I laid down a coat of Whirpool aplliance adhesive to get the front sections to adhere. Silicone seal on everything after that.

This truck is pretty much rust free. My 60's prior spent too much time on the beach otherwise I'd still have them.

The last one was glassed and done right - I know where it is. Maybe I'll have it back some day.

 

[Bluetribal]

I'll post some, haven't taken any yet.

Pics we need pics.

 

[jagermeister]

Holes were covered / welded with pieces of sheet metal on the inside of the panels. Then filled with super bondo supreme stuff on the outside. Interior sheet metal patches primed and covered with silicone.

Tip - if you ever do this - don't s*** can the original drip rails like I did. Grind them down on the top edge to the metal for uniform appearance and paint black or to match the body. The OEM replacements are pathetic pieces of rubber and fiber with an internal strip of metal. They won't rot and chip like the originals, but they are a PITA to get on and stay on.

How could Toyota have taken a perfectly good truck and turned it into an over engineered drama? You tell me and then we'll both know.

Theres more to those running boards than meets the eye.

Can you explain what you are referring to with the drip rails? Also what did you do with the running boards? What did you use to cover the exposed ends of the running boards after removing the flares?