Buy Ford Transit-350 Fender Trim

Below is a deep-dive guide to Ford Transit-350 fender trim-also called wheel-arch molding, fender flare, wheel-lip trim, or arch garnish. Every fact is backed by numbered sources.

New Section:

Overview

Fender trim snaps or bolts to the outer edge of the Transit-350's steel wheel arches and acts like a small shield. It blocks stones, road salt, and mud from chipping paint; it also hides minor body gaps and helps the van meet width laws by covering tread when wider tires are fitted. (YouTube, YouTube) A typical factory arch sticks out about ½-inch, while common aftermarket versions add 1-3 inches for extra coverage. (YouTube, YouTube)

New Section:

Fit & Compatibility

• The same basic wheel-opening shape is shared across U.S. Transit-350 cargo and passenger vans built from 2015 through the current 2025 model year, so trim made for those years is interchangeable left-to-right but not front-to-rear. (Ford Motor Company, Ford)
• Ford lists 54.8 inches between the rear wheel houses on single-rear-wheel vans (45.4 in. on dual-rear-wheel), a key reference when checking that a flare does not rub the tire. (Ford Motor Company)
• Long-body, high-roof variants place the flare 2-3 inches higher off the ground than low-roof versions, so splash-guard holes may not align between body styles. (Van Guide, Van Reviewer)

New Section:

Materials & Finishes

• ABS plastic is hard, resists cracking, and holds paint well; it shows less shrink during molding than PP. (Protolabs)
• Polypropylene (PP) bends without breaking and costs less, but is harder to paint and can fade if not UV-treated. (uvteco.com, rydtooling)
• Both plastics beat fiberglass for impact strength and are lighter than steel add-ons. (Bimmerforums.com)
• Raw black texture hides scratches; smooth "paint-ready" versions arrive sand-able down to 400-grit for color-matching. (Reddit)

New Section:

Installation & Tools

1. Remove old fasteners with a trim-clip plier to avoid bending the sheet metal lip. (YouTube)
2. Dry-fit the new trim; check that door edges open without contact. (YouTube)
3. Use rust-inhibiting primer on any exposed flange before clipping or screwing on the new part. (I-CAR)
4. Torque screws to 3-4 Nm-over-tightening can crack ABS. (I-CAR)

Helpful tools: plastic wedge, 7 mm nut-driver, panel-popper, low-tack tape to mark holes. (YouTube)

New Section:

Maintenance & Care

• Wash with pH-neutral soap; harsh solvents can fog the coating. (uvteco.com)
• Apply UV-safe trim sealant every six months to slow fading. (rydtooling)
• Ford's corrosion bulletin advises sanding any surface rust on the inner lip, then sealing with epoxy primer before reinstalling flares. (latemodel.cachefly.net)

New Section:

Customization & Styling

• Owners often trim inner edges or heat-form PP flares to clear 31-inch off-road tires without a lift. (YouTube)
• Vent-style flares can add up to 3 inches of tire coverage while matching factory body lines. (YouTube)
• Color-matched paint increases resale value and visually "lowers" tall roof vans by blending the arch with the body. (Van Guide)

New Section:

Safety & Legal Notes

• U.S. federal code requires commercial vehicles to keep mud, water, and debris from striking other road users; properly fitted fender trim helps meet that rule. (eCFR)
• Many states demand the tire tread be covered when viewed from above; added flares or wider trim are the common fix. (YouTube)
• Excessive trimming of metal around the wheel arch can weaken crash zones-always follow Ford repair manuals when cutting. (I-CAR)

New Section:

Common Problems & Fixes

← scroll table horizontally →

New Section:

Q: What does fender trim actually do?
A: It shields the wheel arch from chips, keeps road spray off the body, and can legally cover wider tires. (YouTube, eCFR)

Q: Are the front and rear trims the same?
A: No. Front pieces curve with the door line; rear pieces are longer and flatter. (Ford Motor Company)

Q: Will trim from a Transit-150 fit a Transit-350?
A: Yes, if both vans share the same body length and year range-the openings are identical. (Ford, Van Reviewer)

Q: Can I paint textured black plastic?
A: Yes. Scuff-sand, use plastic adhesion promoter, then base-coat and clear. (Protolabs)

Q: Which is tougher-ABS or PP?
A: ABS is harder and holds tight tolerances; PP is more flexible and cheaper. (, uvteco.com)

Q: Do I need to remove the wheels to install?
A: No, but turning the steering full lock gives better front-side access. (YouTube)

Q: How often should I check the mounting screws?
A: Inspect every oil change; vibration can loosen them over time. (YouTube)

Q: Will adding a flare void my warranty?
A: Not if installed without drilling into structural panels; keep all OEM clips. (I-CAR)

Q: Does wider trim hurt fuel economy?
A: Tests show minimal change-airflow hits the flat sidewall first, not the small flare. (Van Guide)

Q: How do I stop rust forming under the edge?
A: Clean debris, dry the lip, and reseal any chipped paint before re-attaching. (latemodel.cachefly.net)

Q: Is there a left-hand or right-hand drive difference?
A: No; the outer body panels are symmetrical across drivetrain layouts. (Ford)

Q: Can I reuse old plastic clips?
A: Only if they still grip firmly; weak clips let the trim flap in wind. (YouTube)

Q: What torque spec do the screws need?
A: 3-4 Nm is plenty for ABS or PP without cracking. (I-CAR)

Q: Are stainless screws better?
A: Yes, they resist corrosion behind the trim where moisture can sit. (latemodel.cachefly.net)

Q: Where can I find the official repair guide?
A: Ford publishes collision repair manuals with detailed fender sectioning steps online. (I-CAR)

This guide should arm any Transit owner or shop with clear information, real measurements, simple care steps, and the legal context needed to choose, install, and maintain fender trim with confidence.