Blackout wheel lip fender moldings

[djrobb]

I’m blacking out the fender moldings on my Ranger. I struggled through the removal of the 4 moldings. Each one had a couple of metal bolts and some black Phillips head plastic expansion screws. The rear molding screws were obvious.

The front molding ones were a little trickier because one of the metal bolts is within the side marker light housing. You can remove the housing by pulling back the felt-like fender liner, twisting the bulb out counter-clockwise then releasing the housing by pushing the clip on each end. You can see a video of this on YouTube where Diode Dynamics shows you how to upgrade to LEDs. It’s tight.

The part I struggled with was a series of white clips that hold the molding on to the sides. In other vehicles I’ve seen if you pull the molding in one direction (up and in for example) all the clips release. In the Ranger I wasn’t able to do that. I squeezed the ones I could reach to release from the back and broke a few others as I pulled.

Not ideal but I left enough intact that it shouldn’t Have an impact. If anyone knows a better way to do this let me know so other people have an easier time. It seemed too tight to get a tool in there but maybe I’m wrong and I don’t have much experience in this space. Here are some pics of a Ranger without wheel moldings! I dropped the pieces off with a guy that does tints (and wraps). All four pieces done for $100 overnight. If all goes to plan I’ll post here again tomorrow with finish pics.

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[djrobb]

Here is an updated pic of the truck with the wheel moldings blacked out. I used plastidip which is easily reversible if I want the body color pack. I also blacked out the trim piece above the tow hooks that looks like a skip plate but is plastic and where the parking sensors go. When reattaching the moldings I did not use the white clips again so removing is as simple as 2 bolts and 3 plastic retaining screws.

 

[Fawnbuster]

I just started installing my bushwacker pocket flares. Their instructions only stated "remove the 3 plastic retainers and rear screw, found the 4th screw as you stated under the turn signal. Then the struggle ensued lol broke 3 of the clips on the molding. There has to be an easy way. Nothing online! I emailed bushwacker and asked if they had any insight. Here's a pic of the one I finished thus far.

 

[IL8APEX]

There has to be a better way... I broke 21 of the white clips and 12 of the retainers that hold the clips onto the flare. The clips are available on Amazon, but lets hope I can glue the retainers back onto the flares because I am NOT ordering new flares.

-Tom

 

[BHunted]

There has to be a better way... I broke 21 of the white clips and 12 of the retainers that hold the clips onto the flare. The clips are available on Amazon, but lets hope I can glue the retainers back onto the flares because I am NOT ordering new flares.

-Tom

If you are dipping them, just clean them good, mask off the truck and the marker light.

 

[Tred]

Here is an updated pic of the truck with the wheel moldings blacked out. I used plastidip which is easily reversible if I want the body color pack. I also blacked out the trim piece above the tow hooks that looks like a skip plate but is plastic and where the parking sensors go. When reattaching the moldings I did not use the white clips again so removing is as simple as 2 bolts and 3 plastic retaining screws.

I considered doing this and now I’ve seen yours and the steps involved, I’m prolly going to. Really improves the muscular look to the truck!

 

[Rp930]

Looks to me like you take the ends loose and rotate it off the clips?

 

[Duwop]

So what was the fix for the broken off retainers on the wheel moldings, were new moldings ordered, I too broke some trying to remove to install oem splash guards

 

[Fawnbuster]

There has to be a better way... I broke 21 of the white clips and 12 of the retainers that hold the clips onto the flare. The clips are available on Amazon, but lets hope I can glue the retainers back onto the flares because I am NOT ordering new flares.

-Tom

Ya I broke a couple of mine but I didn't keep the oem ones. I plan to swap out these Bushwackers this year for a bit smaller, smooth and painted flare. Loved these pocket style on my F150 but I've decided they are too big for a midsized truck plus.its all that was made for it at the time.

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