What are the pros and cons of adding fender flares to a Tacoma? I’m thinking of getting OEM-style ones, but I’m a bit unsure. I know they “bolt” into the wheel well and use 3M tape to stick to the base. But do they get in the way if I need to remove the wheel well cover? I’m also a bit worried that if I need to take them off, the tape might peel off some of my paint. Thoughts?
For the 3rd-gen Tacomas, the fender flares actually clip into the fender through a series of holes on the outside, so putting the OE ones on is kind of a permanent thing. You might want to check out a YouTube video to get a better idea of what I mean. It’s a bit more destructive than it seems.
After doing more research, I’m even more confused now 
. It looks like the Tacomas that come with fender flares already have built-in clips. I guess the fender has holes for the clips to latch onto. So, I’d probably have to drill into mine. I’m not sure how I feel about that. Would 3M tape work around the edges instead? Is there a sealant or something I could use, like what I saw in that YouTube video?
I’m not 100% sure about aftermarket flares having the same clips as the OEM ones. The 3M tape is super strong, though. With the tape and bolts inside, they should hold up fine. I bet you could find flares that don’t need those tabs. I just mentioned the tabs in case you were looking at the Toyota OEM ones.
Got it, thanks! I’m planning on getting mud guards too.
There are tons of threads on TacomaWorld about this. Honestly, the 3M tape is stronger than the clips. The clips are mostly there for quick alignment during factory assembly.
3M really makes some of the best adhesive products out there.
That’s interesting because the flares I’ve seen don’t even come with clips.
If you’re looking to put OEM flares on a non-flared Tacoma, this guide will help. I’m planning to do the same at some point. [Link to TacomaWorld guide]
That’s awesome, thanks for sharing!
Would it be a good idea to put some 3M tape where the clips would usually go too?
It probably wouldn’t hurt.
If you go with OE flares, you could always just cut off the clips and use 3M body tape. You won’t be able to tell the difference, and it’ll be easier to remove later if you need to.