Buy Toyota 4Runner Fender

Toyota 4Runner front fenders-also called side panels, wheel-arch panels, or mudguards-shield the engine bay, hold the inner splash shields, and keep rocks and water off the body and windshield. They bolt to the front bumper cover, A-pillar, radiator support, and rocker panel, so damage or rust here can spread fast. Because the 4Runner is a body-on-frame SUV that sees rugged roads, its fenders face more dents and corrosion than many cross-overs. The guide below covers fitment, materials, repair, upgrades, safety rules, and simple care so shoppers get the whole story before buying a replacement panel.

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Overview

The 4Runner delivers up to 10.1 inches of ground clearance in 2025 models, so the front fenders sit high above large tires for off-road travel . Each fender wraps over the wheel arch and meets the hood line, giving both strength and style. Stock front fenders weigh about 20 pounds each in stamped steel for 2010-2023 trucks , although aftermarket fiberglass versions are lighter.

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Fitment Years

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Most 4th- and 5th-gen fenders are not interchangeable because of head-lamp shape and mounting bolts . Always match the fender to your exact model year before painting.

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Materials & Build

Toyota stamps factory fenders from high-strength steel for impact protection. Owners sometimes swap to aluminum or fiberglass skins to shed weight; these drop about 30-40 % of the mass but cost more and can crack on rocks . Off-road racers use even wider fiberglass "trophy-truck" panels for extra tire travel.

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Common Damage

• Parking dents-door dings or shopping-cart hits distort the sheet metal.
• Trail rash-branches scratch the finish; rocks chip the lower lip.
• Rust-road salt and coastal air rust the fender lip first; many 5th-gen owners report early corrosion near the wheel well .
• Collision folds-front corner hits wrinkle the front bracket area and misalign the hood.

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Replacement Basics

1. Disconnect battery and remove the front wheel for room.
2. Pop out the plastic clips and 10 mm bolts along the wheel liner.
3. Unbolt the head-lamp bracket and front bumper corner.
4. Remove the fender bolts at the hood edge and A-pillar.
5. Lift off the fender and swap any brackets or foam seals.
   A step-by-step video for 4th-gen trucks shows each fastener location in close-up . Most do-it-yourself jobs take two hours per side with hand tools.

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Paint & Finish

Toyota prints the paint code on the VIN sticker inside the driver-side door; match this code when you order paint to avoid mismatched shades . Always scuff, prime, and seal bare steel to stop flash rust.

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Fender Flares & Clearance

Factory-style flares keep mud off the body and must come off before swapping the fender. A current-model flare kit uses six bolts and two tabs per side, as shown in this illustrated guide . The stock SR5 ride height measures about 19.5-20 inches from hub center to the fender lip , but aftermarket lifts can raise that to 37 inches or more . Wider wheels may rub the inner fender; owners report 20 x 9-inch wheels with 285-width tires can touch the liner on turns unless trimmed .

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Safety & Rules

Federal rules say add-on fenders or flares cannot extend more than about 3 inches beyond the tire without extra lighting per FMVSS 108 . The 2024 4Runner earns four or five stars in most NHTSA crash categories, showing the front structure and fender crumple zones do their job (NHTSA).

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Off-Road Notes

Extra-thick steel bumpers and sliders add safety but can trim highway fuel mileage by 1-3 MPG because of weight and wind drag . Swapping to lighter panels or fiberglass fenders helps offset this gain.

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Maintenance & Care

• Wash mud out of the wheel arch after each trip.
• Spray wax or ceramic sealant on the lower lip.
• Coat the inner cavity with a rust-inhibitor oil yearly, as many rust-watch owners do .
• Check plastic splash shields; full-coverage guards block road spray from the engine bay .

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Related Parts

• Inner fender liner-plastic shield that screws to the fender lip.
• Splash guard-rubber flap behind the wheel.
• Quarter panel-rear-side body panel (not interchangeable).
• Bumper corner-meets the front edge of the fender.
  Matching these items prevents gaps that trap water.

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Q: What does the front fender do?
A: It covers the wheel arch, supports the head-lamp bracket, and keeps dirt and water from hitting the hood or windshield.

Q: Will a 2019 fender fit a 2024 4Runner?
A: Yes-both are 5th-gen, so mounting holes and body lines match perfectly, but trims with factory flares must use the correct flare cut-out shape.

Q: How can I spot rust early?
A: Look for bubbling paint or brown streaks at the lower lip inside the wheel arch; that's where salt spray collects first.

Q: What tools do I need to remove it?
A: 10 mm and 12 mm sockets, a clip puller, Phillips screwdriver, and panel-popper tool.

Q: Do I have to remove the front bumper?
A: Only the corner screws near the wheel; the main bumper stays on most 5th-gen trucks.

Q: Can a bent fender hurt gas mileage?
A: A badly kinked panel can raise drag, but the change is minor-about 1 MPG or less-unless other heavy metal parts are added.

Q: Are fiberglass fenders strong?
A: They are lighter and resist rust, but they crack easier on hard rocks than steel ones.

Q: How wide can my tires be before they stick past the fender?
A: With stock wheels, 275-width tires are usually flush; 285s can poke out, needing wider flares to stay legal.

Q: Where is the paint code?
A: On the driver-door sticker-look for a three-digit code after "C/TR".

Q: What's the torque spec for fender bolts?
A: Toyota lists about 7 ft-lb (10 N·m) for the small 10 mm bolts-snug but not overtight.

Q: Does changing the fender void warranty?
A: No, but damage from poor installation is not covered.

Q: Do I need to align headlights after fender work?
A: Yes, always check head-lamp aim because the fender bracket can shift the light pattern.

Helpful Links

• Toyota 4Runner Official Page
• 2024 4Runner e-Brochure PDF
• NHTSA 4Runner Safety Ratings
• How to Remove a 4th-Gen Fender (Video)
• Toyota Paint Code Guide

These sources give more detail for readers who want to dive deeper into specs, safety, and DIY tips.