Early Bronco Fender Flares

Early Bronco Fender Flares Buyer's Guide | 1966-77 Ford Bronco

Ranked by popularity for 66-77 Ford Broncos

At a Glance: If you want one flare that works for most builds, Gorilla Warflares are the most popular all-around choice. Fiberglass fender flares are a solid option for restorations and budget builds, while Silverback flares are designed for Early Broncos running wide tires that need maximum coverage.

When it comes to Early Bronco fender flares, there isn’t a bad option here at Wild Horses 4x4 — but there is a best option for how you use your Bronco. Some flares excel at durability, others shine in restorations or wide-tire builds. To make the decision easier, we’ve ranked our fender flares from best overall to more specialized, based on versatility, durability, and real-world use.

Below is our ranking for 1966-77 Ford Broncos, along with clear reasons why you’d choose each one.

#1 – WILD HORSES Gorilla Warflares

Best Overall Early Bronco Fender Flare

The Gorilla Warflares take the top spot because they work exceptionally well for the widest range of Early Bronco builds. Made from a custom urethane material, these flares are extremely flexible and highly resistant to damage. They can take trail hits, flex with the body, and keep their shape without cracking.

What makes Gorilla Warflares stand out is their balance. They offer enough coverage for larger tires without going overboard, and their clean profile looks right on everything from restored classics to hard-used trail rigs. If you want to install fender flares once and not think about them again, this is the safest choice.

Why choose Gorilla Warflares

• Excellent balance of durability, coverage, and appearance

• Flexible urethane resists cracking and trail damage

• Works equally well on street, trail, and mixed-use Broncos

Best fit for: Most Early Bronco owners.

#2 – WILD HORSES Classic Fiberglass Fender Flares

Best for Early Bronco Restorations and Budget Builds

The classic fiberglass fender flares earn the second spot thanks to their long history and proven design. These are the original Early Bronco flares many enthusiasts grew up seeing, and they still hold their place today. They’re affordable, easy to paint, and a natural fit for restorations or street-driven Broncos.

Fiberglass flares allow you to open up the fenders and quarter panels for larger tires while keeping costs down. The tradeoff is flexibility — fiberglass doesn’t like repeated trail abuse. For Broncos that spend most of their time on pavement or at shows, that’s usually not an issue.

Why choose fiberglass flares

• Classic look that fits vintage builds

• Easy to prep and paint

• Affordable way to gain tire clearance

Best fit for: Restorations, street builds, and weekend cruisers.

#3 – WILD HORSES Silverback Ultra-Wide Fender Flares

Best for Early Broncos with Wide Tires and Aggressive Coverage

The Silverback Fender Flares round out the list as a purpose-built option for Broncos running wide tires. These flares are made from the same flexible urethane material as Gorilla Warflares but extend approximately 4.5 inches from the body, offering significantly more coverage.

That added width gives your Bronco a bold stance and keeps mud and debris under control, especially with wider axles or low-offset wheels. While not every Bronco needs this much flare, Silverbacks are an excellent choice when maximum coverage is the goal.

Why choose Silverback flares

• Maximum coverage for wide tire setups

• Flexible urethane construction

• Aggressive look with added protection

Best fit for: Broncos running wide tires or built with an aggressive stance in mind.

Early Bronco Fender Flares Installation & Care Tips for 66-77 Ford Bronco

How to Install and Maintain Early Bronco Fender Flares

At a Glance: Proper installation and routine care make a big difference in how your Early Bronco fender flares fit, look, and hold up over time. Whether you choose Gorilla Warflares, Silverback urethane flares, or fiberglass fender flares, the tips below will help you get the right fit and keep your 66-77 Ford Bronco fender flares looking their best.

Installing Early Bronco fender flares is one of the most common ways to gain tire coverage and complement the look of a 66-77 Ford Bronco. This guide covers painting, installation, mounting, and care so you can choose the right material and get the most out of your Bronco fender flares on the street or trail.

Painting Early Bronco Fender Flares

Painting 66-77 Ford Bronco fender flares can be a good option when appearance is the priority. For Broncos that see regular trail use, painting is not recommended. Rocks, brush, road debris, and normal body flex can quickly chip, scratch, or crack painted surfaces.

Painting Gorilla Warflares & Silverback Urethane Fender Flares

For show trucks or clean street-driven builds, these urethane Early Bronco fender flares can be painted with the proper prep work.

• Use an adhesion promoter before applying primer or paint
• Prep thoroughly since urethane flexes and needs the right surface prep for paint to hold
• Expect maintenance because unpainted urethane can fade over time without UV protection

If you leave urethane flares unpainted, regular cleaning and UV protection will help slow fading and keep the finish looking more consistent.

Painting WILD HORSES Fiberglass Fender Flares

Fiberglass Early Bronco fender flares are a solid option when paintability and appearance matter more than repeated trail abuse.

• Prep like sheet metal using standard sanding, primer, and paint procedures
• Paint with standard automotive products when properly prepped
• Get strong adhesion when the surface is cleaned and finished correctly

With proper prep and care, painted fiberglass fender flares can hold their finish for years.

How to Install Fender Flares on a 66-77 Ford Bronco

Installing Early Bronco fender flares requires cutting the body. That includes the rear quarter panels and often the front fenders. If you are not comfortable cutting into your Bronco, fender flares may not be the right modification for your build.

Once you are ready to move forward, careful measuring and layout will make the installation cleaner and help your 66-77 Bronco fender flares fit correctly.

Cutting a Classic Ford Bronco for Fender Flares

Cutting into a classic Bronco can feel like a big step, but good planning makes a huge difference. When installing Early Bronco fender flares, the old rule still applies: measure twice, cut once.

Establishing the Cut Line

• Use the flare as a template to establish the correct position
• Set the flare where you want it to sit before marking anything
• Center it over the wheel opening for the best look and tire clearance

With Gorilla Warflares or Silverback flares, you can often mount them slightly higher on the body for added clearance thanks to their flexibility. Just be sure all four flares are aligned evenly from side to side.

Marking & Cutting the Fender Opening

1. Trace the flare outline with a grease pen or similar marker
2. Do not cut on that line
3. Measure 1.5 inches inside the outline and mark a second cut line
4. Remove any braces behind the cut area as needed
5. Check behind the panel before making the cut
6. Cut carefully using a jigsaw or similar tool

Placing padding between the saw and the body can help protect painted surfaces while cutting.

Using Welting for Early Bronco Fender Flare Installation

Each set of flares includes rubber welting that helps isolate vibration and prevent direct contact between the flare and the body.

• Install welting between the flare lip and body
• Leave only the beaded edge visible after installation
• Follow the flare contour closely for a clean finished appearance

Proper welting placement helps your Early Bronco fender flares fit cleaner and reduces the chance of rubbing against the body.

Mounting Fender Flares: Screws vs Rivets

The right mounting method depends on the material used for your 66-77 Ford Bronco fender flares.

Urethane Fender Flares: Gorilla Warflares & Silverbacks

• Mount with screws
• Allows removal and reinstallation when needed
• Handles repeat installs well thanks to the flexible material

Fiberglass Fender Flares

• Mount with rivets
• Creates a more permanent installation
• Repeated removal can cause damage such as cracking or chipped edges

How to Prevent Fading on Black Urethane Fender Flares

Black urethane Early Bronco fender flares take constant abuse from sun, heat, dirt, and road grime. Most premature fading comes from UV exposure, harsh cleaners, and mineral spotting left behind after washing. Like any black exterior material exposed to the elements, keeping urethane flares dark and consistent takes regular care.

Clean Urethane Fender Flares the Right Way

• Use mild car soap and water only
• Avoid degreasers and harsh cleaners that can dry out the material
• Wash with a soft brush or microfiber towel
• Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately to reduce water spotting

Hard water minerals are one of the most common causes of blotchy discoloration on black urethane flares.

Use UV Protection Made for Plastic or Urethane

Standard wax is not the right choice for urethane. Use a protectant made for flexible exterior plastics.

Look for products that:

• Contain UV inhibitors
• Dry to a satin or natural finish
• Do not leave a greasy surface

Apply the protectant evenly with a foam applicator and wipe away any excess. Too much product can leave streaks or uneven areas.

• Reapply every few weeks if the Bronco stays outside
• Reapply every couple of months if it is garage kept

Avoid Silicone Shine Products

Spray-on tire shine and low-grade plastic dressings may look good at first, but they usually do more harm than good.

• They attract dust
• They bake into the surface
• They can create uneven dark and light patches

If the product leaves a wet or glossy finish, it is usually not the best choice for urethane fender flares.

Reduce Sun Exposure When Possible

• Park indoors or in the shade when possible
• Use a car cover for extended outdoor storage
• Wash off mud and trail debris quickly

Dirt and debris can trap moisture and minerals against the surface, which speeds up discoloration.

Address Fading Early

If your black urethane flares start to turn gray or develop light spotting:

• Clean them thoroughly
• Apply a plastic restorer or conditioner
• Buff evenly for a more consistent appearance

Early treatment helps prevent deeper chalking and keeps your Early Bronco fender flares looking better longer.

Long-Term Protection Option

Ceramic coatings and plastic-specific coatings can also be used on urethane flares to reduce maintenance.

• Helps block UV exposure
• Reduces water spotting
• Cuts down on upkeep

The upfront cost is higher, but the maintenance load is lower over time.

Bottom Line

Black urethane fender flares fade fastest when they are exposed to constant sun, cleaned with harsh chemicals, or left wet to air dry. Mild cleaning, regular UV protection, and avoiding greasy dressings will help your 66-77 Ford Bronco fender flares stay darker and more consistent for the long haul.

WILD HORSES Fiberglass Fender Flares Installation Guide

WILD HORSES Urethane Fender Flares Installation Guide | Gorilla Warflares & Silverbacks