Wheel well metal. Thoughts?

[MaxVmo]

I’m in the post-body install phase finishing up the detail work. I spoke with a fellow builder that brought up the idea of not installing the front wheel well metal. What’s the general thought on this? I’m for sure going to install the rear metal. I honestly hadn’t considered this and am interested in what others have done.

[JMD]

I don't know why you wouldn't install it. Seems to be good protection for your engine bay/headers/sidepipes/etc. Anything behind the tires is going to get sandblasted to some extent or other depending on how sticky your tires are. I installed mine and coated with truck bed liner then rubberized undercoating.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?49095-John-in-KC-Roadster-Build-Thread&p=584812&viewfull=1#post584812

[Jeff Kleiner]

I'll not sugar coat it---that's a stupid idea. You'll fill the engine compartment with all sorts of road grime, dirt, dust and debris.

Jeff

[Norm B]

Why would you not install them? If you are worried about seeing bare aluminum behind the tires then, just spray the panels with black truck bed liner.

Norm

[Mike.Bray]

I'll not sugar coat it---that's a stupid idea. You'll fill the engine compartment with all sorts of road grime, dirt, dust and debris.

Jeff

Can you just get to the point Jeff? :o

[edwardb]

"Stupid" was not an allowed word at our house when I was growing up. So I can't agree with Jeff's assessment. :p I'll just go with "really bad idea." For all the reasons mentioned.

[gbranham]

I have, as of this evening, 400 miles on my car, with no splash panels installed. I was going to, but the fronts were so terribly bad, I gave up. I'll pay Kleiner to fix it. That said, a vacuum is my friend to remove gravel from my air filter and timing cover. Point is...install them. Whomever told you not to is simply uninformed.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Ten years on & the thought to do something like this never occured to me. :confused: Looks like a solution looking for a problem to solve.

[ggunter]

I see what goes under the fenders and sticks to the side pipes at the turns. I can only imagine how much more crap would be stuck on the headers without metal liners.

[edwardb]

One point that’s not mentioned among all the debris comments is that the splash guards also anchor the body that gets pretty narrow between the wheel opening and the side pipe cutout.

[MaxVmo]

Thanks for all the replies—goes along with what my thoughts were. As for Jeff’s reply, I’m of the same thinking—if it’s stupid, it needs to be addressed!

[Theshandman]

I installed these. Super easy to install. Good protection; they help prevent spider cracks in the $$ paint job from bits being thrown up to the underside of the body. http://vraptorspeedworks.com/mk-4-wheel-well-liner-kit/