[James1]

I would like some fender flares for my 2022 Lightning (Star White Metallic Tricoat) to help protect the paint on the fenders. On the Ford website I found these:

F-150 2021-2023 Bushwacker Paintable Fender Flares

Why Buy: Upgrade the look of your F-150 with these fender flares that are made of thick, warp-resistant DuraFlex 2000 ABS for durability. Details:Feature a smooth finish that’s ready for prep, primer and paint. Select any color paint to match or complement your truck’s exterior. Smoother finish...

accessories.ford.com

Unfortunately, the website indicates these units are for the gas-burning F-150 and will not fit the Lightning. Does anyone have a suggestion?

TIA.

 

[James1]

Okay; I sent an inquiry to Bushwacker and received the following reply accompanied by photographs of both the 2022 Lightning and the 2022 F150 gas-burner:

Hi Jim,
Below are some photos showing the body line differences on the wheel wells. I confirmed with Engineering this morning the flares won't fit the Lightning Model; at this time we have no plans to make as the numbers aren't out there and it's all a numbers thing as tooling is so expensive.
Thank you,

So, until there are more Lightnings on the street and Bushwacker believes it is profitable to invest in the tooling to make flares for the Lightning, these units will not be available...

 

[R.I.P.]

Okay; I sent an inquiry to Bushwacker and received the following reply accompanied by photographs of both the 2022 Lightning and the 2022 F150 gas-burner:

Hi Jim,
Below are some photos showing the body line differences on the wheel wells. I confirmed with Engineering this morning the flares won't fit the Lightning Model; at this time we have no plans to make as the numbers aren't out there and it's all a numbers thing as tooling is so expensive.
Thank you,

So, until there are more Lightnings on the street and Bushwacker believes it is profitable to invest in the tooling to make flares for the Lightning, these units will not be available...

I am not sure how many of us would want to alter the carefully designed aero on the truck and take the freeway mileage hit anyway.

Details matter. The Aptera has less wind resistance for the entire vehicle than an f-150s mirrors alone. It is interesting to hear their engineers talk about how much tiny little details matter.
🤔

 

[James1]

"I am not sure how many of us would want to alter the carefully designed aero on the truck and take the freeway mileage hit anyway.

Details matter. The Aptera has less wind resistance for the entire vehicle than an f-150s mirrors alone. It is interesting to hear their engineers talk about how much tiny little details matter. "





Thanks for pointing that out; I had completely overlooked the wind resistance factor. Although the Aptera is a different animal from a pickup truck, wind resistance and overall vehicle weight are probably the two most critical factors in freeway driving efficiency so your point is certainly valid. You are also correct in that details matter -- drivers of Chevrolet Bolts (including me) have discovered that tire selection can make a HUGE difference in range.

But in only a couple of hundred miles of driving my Lightning (white in color), it is already exhibiting significant dirt on the fenders. And last week I had the Lightning in the woods pulling a dump-trailer full of firewood. So as far as fender flares I will have to make a decision weighing fender protection on a work truck vs. freeway driving on a travel truck. I can say that two trucks ago I was driving a 2013 Tacoma 4WD 5-speed which had factory flares, and those provided significant protection for the exterior of the truck.

Thanks again.

 

[ChasingCoral]

"I am not sure how many of us would want to alter the carefully designed aero on the truck and take the freeway mileage hit anyway.

Details matter. The Aptera has less wind resistance for the entire vehicle than an f-150s mirrors alone. It is interesting to hear their engineers talk about how much tiny little details matter. "





Thanks for pointing that out; I had completely overlooked the wind resistance factor. Although the Aptera is a different animal from a pickup truck, wind resistance and overall vehicle weight are probably the two most critical factors in freeway driving efficiency so your point is certainly valid. You are also correct in that details matter -- drivers of Chevrolet Bolts (including me) have discovered that tire selection can make a HUGE difference in range.

But in only a couple of hundred miles of driving my Lightning (white in color), it is already exhibiting significant dirt on the fenders. And last week I had the Lightning in the woods pulling a dump-trailer full of firewood. So as far as fender flares I will have to make a decision weighing fender protection on a work truck vs. freeway driving on a travel truck. I can say that two trucks ago I was driving a 2013 Tacoma 4WD 5-speed which had factory flares, and those provided significant protection for the exterior of the truck.

Thanks again.

It's all a matter of tradeoffs.

 

[Holy_crap]

PPF (Paint Protection Film) would be one choice to protect painted surfaces from small rocks on the road and car doors at parking lots. The downside is that it can be expensive to have it installed professionally.