What's everyones opinion on aftermarket fender flares? Any recommmended? Any brand to stay away from?

It depends on the generation rig you have, and the type of flare you want to run. IMO the Bushwacker cut-out fenders look best on the 2nd gen('84-'88) truck or 1st gen Runner('84-'89. While the Warn flares look better on the 3rd gen truck('89-95non Taco) or 2nd gen Runner('90-'95).
These are Warn flares on my '90.


In this 4x4wire Post, the owner has aftermarket front fenders with the cut-out style flares on the rear. The front cut-out flares are basically the same as the rear.

Run a search, there have been a few posts in the past about flares. You might also want to check the members photo section to see.

x2 on the 1st gen 4runners. My '85 now doesn't have flares. I've heard that the b.w. pocket flares pop out or break off when they hit trees/rocks, but I never hit anything with mine on the '84 so I wouldn't know. Here's some pics.

my '84 4runner




other's rig

I have and like the Warns. They fit the contour of the sheetmetal well and come with the two-sided foam tape to seal to the sheetmetal. They add about 2 inches tire coverage.

are these warn ? or bushwacker ?

Bushwacker. Try as I could, there were no pix to be found of the Warns on a 80s Toy, and they don't make them for the 4Runner.

No cutting required for the rear (on a 4Runner, not so the truck), the fronts need it (but only where we usually do it so....

I am likely to go with these and color match it like Moomba did. Rocky Mountain Suspension lists the rears for $185 or so, while 4WPW is $215 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />
[edit] nevermind, 4WPW matched the $185... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yep those are Bushwacker's. I believe that BW's are the only style that use rivets to attatch to the side of the truck.

I found a listing for 2nd gens Warn flares at go Warn.com, but no pictures. I think this rig here has the Warn flares, they could be a set of BW's non-cut-out style flares, but I am pretty sure they are Warn.

IMO BW's cut-outs just seem to fit the 2nd gen styling better than any other type of fender flare.