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Fredurango

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Finally had some time to install the splash guards. The Back ones were simple to install. As you know the Front ones don’t fit perfect so I test fitted and I heated with the torch a bit where they make the bend under the cladding. I also installed some strips of 3m clear film where they come into contact with the body. I used the profile of the opposite guard as a guide to trace on the back of the 3M film. Overall I think they look pretty good but more importantly they will keep the sides of Durango a bit cleaner.
 

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Finally had some time to install the splash guards. The Back ones were simple to install. As you know the Front ones don’t fit perfect so I test fitted and I heated with the torch a bit where they make the bend under the cladding. I also installed some strips of 3m clear film where they come into contact with the body. I used the profile of the opposite guard as a guide to trace on the back of the 3M film. Overall I think they look pretty good but more importantly they will keep the sides of Durango a bit cleaner.
Great job. Also, with the running boards, don’t think you’d be able to see anything anyway, unless up on a lift.
That’s the direction I’m going once it warms up a bit. Looking to do the Corsa, mud flaps, running boards and hitch all at the same time.


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Did you buy the blacked out 345 Hemi badges somewhere or did you paint/plastidip them yourself ?
 
Dude thats what I'm talking about. This is exactly why I keep holding off buying the stupid looking Husky ones. I don't like them at all and could not figure out why Dodge would not have a set that would fit as nicely as yours did.
They look as they should not stick out and look stupid. Sorry Husky owners I just really don't care for the way they designed the front flaps. That square sticking out notch at the top of the guard looks like someone screwed up the design. It should mold right into the fender and look really nice.
 
the running boards look nice, I might consider installing some on mine. where did you buy them?
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Dude thats what I'm talking about. This is exactly why I keep holding off buying the stupid looking Husky ones. I don't like them at all and could not figure out why Dodge would not have a set that would fit as nicely as yours did.
They look as they should not stick out and look stupid. Sorry Husky owners I just really don't care for the way they designed the front flaps. That square sticking out notch at the top of the guard looks like someone screwed up the design. It should mold right into the fender and look really nice.
I bought the Huskys then returned them after seeing an R/T in person with the OEM. In my opinion the OEM fit better. Everyone has their preference / opinion of which one looks/ fits better. There are quite a few threads regarding this topic.
 
I bought the Huskys then returned them after seeing an R/T in person with the OEM. In my opinion the OEM fit better. Everyone has their preference / opinion of which one looks/ fits better. There are quite a few threads regarding this topic.
I hear you on the side of the Durango man. Every single time I drive and it's any kind of weather, puddle or even just dusty road, the side of the Durango are covered and I hate it. I'm constantly cleaning waxing the sides.
After looking at your pic's again I'm buying them today as well as the 345 badges, they also just look amazing. I find it so funny in todays world of D badging that us Durango owners want more badges then factory LOL, it's like they should have been there. The SRT has the 392 badges why oh why didn't Dodge put them on the R/T? Well I'm just glad you posted those pic's as after reading all the things about how they don't fit right and the Husky's are the way to go this really helped me out man. Beautiful Durango you got there I'm jealous in many ways as I really wanted to have the T shifter but I needed to make a move last July and the 2018's didn't come out to like September.
 
Finally had some time to install the splash guards. The Back ones were simple to install. As you know the Front ones don’t fit perfect so I test fitted and I heated with the torch a bit where they make the bend under the cladding. I also installed some strips of 3m clear film where they come into contact with the body. I used the profile of the opposite guard as a guide to trace on the back of the 3M film. Overall I think they look pretty good but more importantly they will keep the sides of Durango a bit cleaner.
I just got a quick question about the modification you did to the front Flaps. I talked to my dealer and they told me the fronts do not fit the R/T. We all know that they are not a perfect fit but I don't know why and the dealer didn't either. I assume the fender flare has something to do with it? I assume it's slightly bigger then the regular Durango's?
Anyway what is the Cladding? This is where you had to heat them up which I assume you just slightly molded them to fit better which maybe I can do with a heat gun I don't have a torch?

I'm gonna pick these up and try to figure out the front fitting but figured I'd ask you since you seem to be the only one on the forum who made the modification and from your pictures they look like they fit really nice.

Thanks man.
 
Discussion starter · #15 · (Edited)
So the profile (long edge around the wheel) fits just fine but because the fender flare sticks out on the R/T it causes the bottom angle to be slightly off. I attached a pic of a non-R/T so you can see the difference. The cladding (rocker molding) is essentially the long plastic piece below the door. Non-R/T have it too but I am pretty sure the profile is slightly different.
You need to heat the inside edge of the corner where it makes the bend to go under the vehicle. My work definitely was not perfect but the heat allows you to slightly change the angle of that corner to get them to fit. It is not off by that much so I just kept heating, molding (used a larger socket to keep working the corner) then test fitting until I got it close. I attached some photos and showed where I heated the guards. Hope this helps.
 

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Ok I think I get it, that corner is molded for the Non R/T models and the reason why it doesn't fit properly is because it's a bit to sharpe of a turn and not wide enough to make the turn to fit around the R/T's fender flare. I'm sure this will become very clear once I get them. Heating up that area and using a Socket to open that area up to make it fit is genius. You might not think you did a good just but from the pic's they look like got them to fit very well.
When I go my install, I will also take some pic's and layout what I did so other members ca benefit from this. I wrote to Dodge describing how dissatisfied we as Durango R/T owners are for them not to make a front fitting mud flap. Why on earth would any company not make them for their SUV's don't make any sense at all.
Nissan puts them on just about all their pathfinders right from the factory as it just makes sense to have them. All 3 of my Pathfinders came with Mud guards/flaps if you will. I was very surprised that the Durango didn't offer them in the options. Having people go and buy aftermarket flaps is a huge mistake as that money is lost. It only makes sense for them to make them.

Thanks again for taking the time to explain what you did here. It's really helps a lot. Good luck with your R/T she is awesome looking.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
So Dodge finally has mudguards that fit the RT? Does anyone have the manufacturer's part number for these?
These are just the standard OEM Durango splash guards that “do not fit the R/T or heat models”. I had to slightly modify them to fit........details are in the post. Hope this helps.
 
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