Removed flared/cladding, open holes question

[imhighlander]

For a super easy alternative, I just grabbed a big collection of nylon hole plugs from my local NAPA store. My rig is dark green so the black looks fine. No leaks, no welding...

I may go with a bedliner down the road, but I'm not fully sold on the appearance, so that's a very low priority for me.

This is what it looks like. Good enough for me.

fender plugs

• imhighlander
• Jul 1, 2016

 

[DanMedeiros]

Hi guys,

I'm getting started on this very project on my LX right now. To use JB weld or a similar steel putty can it be done from the exterior of the hole or do you need some sort of backing? I know I could take my doors apart to reach the holes but can't figure out how to do it for my fenders and rocker panels. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[AlaskanLX450]

kinda curious on this too, as I am slowly using the trail to disassemble the flares and cladding from my LX. My thoughts were to dimple the holes with a punch or peen hammer, and tape back them and then body fill and sand to match the profile and then line the outside. Questions: How durable will the panels be with body filler sealing the holes? If/When I rake a fender against a rock or tree, will the body filler crack or break loose? Does anyone have trail scar pics of liner material after heavy trail brush?

 

[BltByKrmn]

kinda curious on this too, as I am slowly using the trail to disassemble the flares and cladding from my LX. My thoughts were to dimple the holes with a punch or peen hammer, and tape back them and then body fill and sand to match the profile and then line the outside. Questions: How durable will the panels be with body filler sealing the holes? If/When I rake a fender against a rock or tree, will the body filler crack or break loose? Does anyone have trail scar pics of liner material after heavy trail brush?

I'm very happy with the aluminum tape method. There's a few holes where you can see the dimple, but that's more a factor of careless tape application.

Once the monstaliner has had a chance to cure, it's extremely tough. If you do a good job with prep, a simple branch or rock isn't going to scrape it off. If you hid something hard enough that it's going to rip/dent the metal, then yea it will get messed up.

 

[DanMedeiros]

I have been working on filling mine with JB weld steel stick. Progress is a lot slower than just tape but a I sanded and primed my first section this past weekend. It ended up sanding smooth and flat. So far so good.....

 

[rannon]

I have been working on filling mine with JB weld steel stick. Progress is a lot slower than just tape but a I sanded and primed my first section this past weekend. It ended up sanding smooth and flat. So far so good.....

@DanMedeiros did your steel stik work well soley from the exterior? Any recommendations? Thanks!

 

[samiam09]

Buy land cruiser doors lol

thats what I did, hell of a lot less holes to weld up

 

[Outsane]

I started selling these plugs made from flexible material. After I made some for my rig.

Fender flare plugs

Fender flare plugs for the FZJ80 or FJ80 Kits are now universal Printed in flexible material, they easily pop in. Various shapes are included to cover 1 vehicle. Does not include LX450 plastic panels. Diagram available for download at https://solvefunction.com/shop/ols/products/flare-plug-diagram

solvefunction.com