Choosing the best 08 dodge ram fender flares is a game changer when you're planning to provide your truck a bit more character or if you're just trying in order to hide that frustrating wheel-well rust that seems to trouble these 3rd Gen Rams. It's one of those modifications that offers an enormous return on investment for the visual impact it makes. Whether you're rolling on the share setup or you've got a huge lift with wide auto tires sticking out beyond the bodywork, flares are usually the missing piece of the puzzle.
Let's be actual for a second—the 2008 Ram is definitely a classic design, but it has some quirks. By the particular time a 52 pick up hits this age, the paint might be damaged, or you might be dealing with the "Ram rot" starting to creep within around the back arches. Installing some flares is the particular go-to move regarding most owners due to the fact it's more cost-effective than a full entire body shop repair plus looks a daylights of a great deal much better than an area job.
The reason why You Really need Them
A lot of people believe fender flares are just for appearance, and while they definitely help the aesthetic, they're pretty functional too. If you've upgraded to larger tires, you've probably noticed they want to throw almost everything on the road right upward onto your doors. Rocks, mud, sodium, and grime get kicked up, and without that extra protection, your paint is actually a target. An excellent set of 08 dodge ram fender flares works as a cover, keeping that debris off your bright (or maybe not-so-shiny) finish.
After that there's the lawful aspect. In the lot of says, it's actually outlawed to have your tires poking out there beyond the body of the vehicle. In the event that a cop is having a bad day, those wide offsets could earn you a "fix-it" solution. Adding flares gives you that additional width to protect the tread, keeping you street-legal while still maintaining that wide, aggressive stance we all like.
Choosing the Right Design
Not just about all flares are developed equal. You really have to decide what type of "vibe" you want for your own truck.
The Pocket Style Look
In the event that you want that will rugged, off-road beast look, pocket design flares are the approach to take. These are usually the ones using the visible "bolts" in the recessed pockets. Enjoyable fact: on most models, those bolts are in fact decorative plus don't require you to drill into the fender, which is a huge relief for anyone concerned about permanent damage. They provide the truck a much wider profile and appear especially good when you have a brush safeguard or a heavy duty bumper.
Road Style and OE Look
When you prefer some thing a bit more low-profile, street design or OEM-style flares really are a better bet. These follow the factory lines very much more closely. They're thinner and even more subtle, providing just enough coverage in order to hide a little bit of wear or even add a touch of class with no making it look like a monster truck. These are great if you're running stock tires but just need cleaner, finished appearance.
Extended or "Extra Wide" Flares
For the particular guys running serious offsets—like those -44mm wheels—you're going to need the extended versions. These may stand out several inches from your body. It's a bold appearance, and it's really the only way to keep a truck using a massive stance looking somewhat proportional.
Materials and sturdiness
You'll usually find these produced from some type of ABS plastic material. This is essential because you want something that may take a hit. In the event that a stray rock and roll flies up or else you accidentally brush against a branch on a trail, you don't want the flare to shatter.
High-quality 08 dodge ram fender flares may also be UV-treated. This will be a big deal because inexpensive plastic will switch gray or chalky after a summer in the sun. You need that deep matte black to stay black. Of program, many people choose to paint them in order to match the entire body color. If you move that route, make sure you obtain the "smooth" finish flares as opposed to the "textured" ones, as color sticks far better to the smooth surface area and looks way more professional.
The particular Installation Process
Most people can handle this within their driveway more than a weekend. You don't need a level in mechanical executive, but a small patience goes a long way. Most sets for the 2008 model year use existing stock holes, so you're mostly just working with screws and plastic clips.
Pro tip: Before you decide to even think about bolting them on, clean the region behind the fender thoroughly. If you snare dirt and wetness behind the sparkle, you're just appealing rust to get a celebration. Some people actually like to apply a bit of wax or even a rust-inhibitor squirt to the fender lip before the flare goes on.
Furthermore, pay attention to the rubber gasket that comes along with the kit. This particular is the trim that sits involving the flare and the particular truck's body. This protects the paint from being scraped from the plastic plus produces a tight seal off. Obtaining your time in order to get that gasket seated perfectly will be the difference among a job that appears factory and 1 that looks like a DIY disaster.
Dealing with the Infamous Rust
We have in order to talk about it—the rust. If you're buying 08 dodge ram fender flares to cover up existing corrosion, you should be careful. You can't just slap plastic over falling apart metal and expect it to proceed away. It's usually a good idea to sand lower the loose flakes and hit the area with some rust-reforming primer first. It won't be quite, but the flare may hide it, and the primer can at least decelerate the "cancer" through spreading further in the side of your bed.
Last Thoughts on Value
At the end of the day, adding a set associated with flares is 1 of the nearly all cost-effective ways in order to refresh an older pickup truck. It updates the look of the particular 2008 model season instantly, making this look a little more contemporary and a great deal more capable. Whether you're going for the "tough work truck" look or maybe the "custom show truck" design, there's a set away there that matches your budget.
Just remember to measure your wheel poke before you buy. There's nothing worse than obtaining a set of 2-inch flares when your tires stick out 4 inches, or vice versa. Get the sizing right, take your own time with the install, and you'll be staring from your truck every single time you walk away from it in the parking great deal. It's a simple update, but the effect is huge.
Don't accept the first inexpensive set you notice on an arbitrary auction site. Spend a little extra on a set with good testimonials and a solid warranty against cracking or fading. Your 08 Ram has probably been by means of a lot, plus it deserves to appear its best regarding the next a hundred, 000 miles.