Removing fender guards

[Rebel32L]

On a 2002 cruiser : the plastic guards that are attached above the wheel well , can they easily be removed and does this leave exposed holes in the sheetmetal? I’m considering buying a 100 series but dislike the plastic body cladding the US market vehicles have on. I understand they serve a purpose just dont like the cluttered rounded soft look . The 80 series was cleaner IMO a more flat fender panel

 

[Rebel32L]

Pic of fender attached

 

[jon91581]

They'll come off without leaving any holes. The bigger issue is that sometimes, the edges rub through the clearcoat underneath, so you still get a "silhouette" of the fender. If the surface damage isn't too bad, you can buff and get it cleaned up to look pretty good, but on my '06, there was a little paint damage under the flares that I've yet to try and touch up.

 

[Dwight S]

They are attached with clips and bolts within the fender wells. The back door pieces are attached with screws on the inside of the door, visible once you open it. I've seen most of the paint damage where the back door closes and the flair hits the body. It isn't really visible until you open the door with the flairs, but is noticeable once you remove the flairs.

The side moldings will also show some difference from uncovered to covered.

To me, the truck looks so much better without the flairs, the character scars are of little to no concern.

Circle on molding shows difference in weather appearance of molding where covered (near wheel)
Circle on wheel lip shows rub through where flair hit body as mentioned above.
Arrow shows clearcoat damage (noticeable in white line reflection) from outer edge of flair, which has a rubber trim gasket.

 

[hoser]

Those fender flares were port installed, most commonly by Gulf States Toyota distributors. Not a factory Toyota part. Most 100's in the US don't have them.

 

[Dwight S]

Those fender flares were port installed, most commonly by Gulf States Toyota distributors. Not a factory Toyota part. Most 100's in the US don't have them.

You're right about the Gulf States distributers adding those on. I don't know about total import percentages, but I know 90% of the Land Cruisers I see on the road and listed for sale around here (North Carolina) have them. I have seen a few 05/06/07 without the fairs, but they're few and far between.

 

[Rebel32L]

Thank you for the replies. They definitely look better without them

 

[Manhattan]

S.E. Toyotas got'em. On one hand, they're ugly as $&*@. On the plus-side, you know they didn't come from the rusty N.E. I rescued my 2006 in 2011 and they had already left their mark - those little rub marks through the paint. The dickhead who came up with those things should be beaten out of the industry.

 

[VTOLC100]

Does anyone have a side-on shot before and after the removal of the flairs on a black LC 100 with gray flairs? Mine has them, and I'm debating whether to remove them or not. I am pretty sure the pinstripes will go hoverer. Thanks