How to Install Fiberglass Fenders

  • 4-8 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 250-400
What You'll Need
Standard set of socket wrenches
Drill bits
New fiberglass fenders

Attaching fiberglass fenders is one way to add a little character and style to your car or truck. Your old stock fenders can be boring and monotonous. To make your ride a little more exciting, the addition of fiberglass fenders is a good idea. This can also make your car or truck look bigger and bulkier, a style that some people prefer. Installation of this car accessory is not that hard and you just need to spend a little time doing the project.

Step 1: Remove Stock Fender

Before you can attach a fiberglass fender, you naturally have to remove the old fender first. Although there are some add-on fenders that can go right on top of the stock fender. But for this example, we will remove the old fender.

Open the hood of your car and locate the bolts along the hood line. Once you have located them, loosen and remove them using your socket wrenches. Once they have been removed, keep them in a safe place for reuse later on.

Step 2: Remove the Bumper

Since there will be a bolt also located within the bumper, you have to detach your bumper before you can reach this bolt. But if your wrench can fit, there’s no need to remove the bumper and go right ahead and remove the bolt. Otherwise, remove the bumper and subsequently remove the bolt that it was covering.

Step 3: Remove Corner Lamps

Also remove the corner lamps since there will be more bolts hidden behind them. Remove the lamps by carefully twisting the bulb socket and detaching it from the lamp. A screw will be holding the lamp in place so remove that also. Once the lamp has been removed, remove the bolt it was covering.

Step 4: Remove Mudguards

You also have to remove the mudguards since they will be in the way when removing the fenders later. Use your screwdriver and wrenches to remove this part.

Step 5: Remove the Stock Fender

Depending on your vehicle, you may need to open both doors where you will see more bolts holding the fender in place. These are the last bolts to remove so be careful as you remove these since the fender might fall off. Finally, detach the steel fender from the body after you remove the last remaining bolts.

Step 6: Aligning the Fiberglass Fender

Align the new fender to the spot where the original one sat. Make sure that the holes line up to each other. If there are extra holes on the fender, you may need to drill holes into your chassis. Mark the holes and drill into your chassis. Set up the new fiberglass fender again and align all the holes.

Step 7: Attach the Fiberglass Fender

With the fender properly aligned, put the original bolts back on to keep the fender from falling off. Tighten the bolts and make sure that they are secured and fastened correctly. Inspect the fenders and assure they are lined up correctly and that there are no gaps on the frame of the car or truck. Reinstall the corner lamps, mudguards and bumper after you have installed both fiberglass fenders.