Flares and wheels

quote:

Originally posted by 4NHOTROD:
On a widebody car, how far inboard, from the outside edge of the flare, should the edge of the tire be?
Will

I have seen these all over the place on Group 4 cars, and I suspect there is no real "should" factor. If you are running low suspension, then you need enough room for the tire to tuck under the lip. I have seen some too narrow and it really looks funky with the fenders way out there. Wide seems to have the best appearance, but too wide and you risk tire rub on the fender and at that point it is getting a little low rider appearance too. I don't know if there is a mechanically correct measurement though. My rear tires are about 1" in from the fender, measured at the top.

Take a look at a recent M3. You can barely slip a finger in there. That's about right. Just make sure you roll the lips. You can use a baseball bat handle pretty easily so you don't risk damaging your paint. Eastwood also makes a new tool that has a roller that does it. If it isn't tight, you didn't need the flairs in the first place.

Here are some pics that may help.

and...

and side views...

plus:

quote:

My rear tires are about 1" in from the fender, measured at the top

How about the fronts? They look like they are set in a little more perhaps due to the fact the wheel turns?
W

Exactly right, Will.

Yup Mark, those cars you posted look just right with the tires tucked up under the fender somewhat. Shows how the red group 4 (without Pantera script on the side) is lowerd a little more than the black car, and the tire fits nice up under. More important, watch your fender placement when welding the fender mod to the car so that it is mounted nice around the tire, otherwise you could have more space at the top and still rub on the rear or front of the fender...but I am sure you know that.