About how wide are fender flares?

Flux · 05-01-2017, 10:12 AM

I am gonna cut a hole for my 120V inlet and it just dawned on me that I better make sure it will clear fender flares. Don't have my flares just yet, but i need to get going on the electrical....I am so close!

Inlet will be in front of rear wheel. I know that I have to keep it forward as the cavity is set forward of the wheel well.

The flares look to me to be about 4" wide / overlap on the body. Is this a pretty good assumption?? Give it 6 for good measure and cut away??

rallypanam · 05-01-2017, 10:41 AM

Probably less.. 2.5" to 3" maybe.

You're safe with 6".

Flux · 05-01-2017, 10:52 AM

Thanks rally. Seems like a silly question but I have this knack for working too close to the edge and falling off. Would be pretty silly to have to cut my flare to fit around an electrical inlet.

rallypanam · 05-01-2017, 11:04 AM

They're a little wider down right at the bottom, but you probably don't want to install down there.. plus you're still safe with 6".

Flux · 05-01-2017, 11:19 AM

I would have already cut the hole except you can't get a 1-7/8" hole saw in my town. You can get 1-3/4" and you can get 2" and 2-1/8", but certainly not 1-7/8".

First time cutting the van skin. So yeah, a little pucker here.

Pntyrmvr · 05-01-2017, 11:35 AM

Practice with your 1-3/4" hole saw. It will be very close to 1-7/8" when you use it. They have lousy tolerances. Rat tail file after for that last few thousandths.

"Talk is cheap. Whiskey costs money."

Bbasso · 05-01-2017, 02:18 PM

Before you cut a hole in the side of your nice van, see if it can be placed out of sight and possibly on a panel/area that doesn't require extensive repair if you change your mind.

The reason why I say this...
Before I bought my van, the PO had cut a hole dead smack in the middle of the driver's side and it's a visual nightmare.

If I was do it, I'd place the receptacle in the rear bumper or hidden in the grill up front.

Bbasso · 05-01-2017, 02:20 PM

Just snapped this pic...

Flux · 05-01-2017, 03:50 PM

I am gonna go low on the panel. Probably right below the indent or even righton that last downslope. That should be pretty decent I think and it's a white plug so it won't be obnoxious. My electrical is gonna be right in front of the Drivers Side Rear Wheel Well so it make sense from a wiring standpoint. I was thinking about putting it up underneath in front of the rear wheel, but that could be a PITA to plug in plus all my battery cables come up through there so it's crowded already. I will look again, if there is enough room, I will sneak it.

Rear Bumper area is a good suggestion. So far I have nothing else entering the van....for now....but it would make sense to keep the clean look. I would need to use a pretty burly cable, like SJTOW or something as the marine 20V i have is certainly good for interior, but no way exposed.

Hmmmmmmm.......

I am inclined to maybe put the darn thing through the wheel well. Easy to get to as well.

Flux · 05-01-2017, 08:40 PM

Good call Rob. Took me about 2 minutes to figure out where to put it.

Figure the rear tire would have to travel about 12" or more to hit it. Nice and accessible yet no hole on the body

Here's the where all the cables and wires come through and my yet to be assembled panel. This will all be behind cabinetry of course.