The "Lug Nut" Check: How to Buy the Right Fender Flares for Your 2019+ RAM
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You finally bought a set of negative-offset wheels and 35-inch mud terrains for your 2019–2026 RAM 1500. They look incredible, but they poke out two inches past your fenders. You want to stay street-legal and protect your paint, so you decide to order a set of wide fender flares.
You go online and immediately run into two confusing options:
- 2019-2024 RAM 1500 Classic (DS)
- 2019-2026 RAM 1500 New Body (DT)
If you guess wrong, you are stuck with a massive, awkwardly shaped box to return (and return shipping on large fender flares is notoriously expensive).
The problem stems from the fact that RAM sold both body styles on dealership lots at the exact same time for several years.
So, how do you know exactly which one you have without digging through your VIN paperwork?
Count the lug nuts.
- 5 Lug Nuts: You have the Classic (DS). This is the older body style.
- 6 Lug Nuts: You have the New Body (DT). This is the current, modern generation.
In this guide, we explain exactly why this distinction matters for body line fitment, and help you navigate the tricky world of Parking Sensor Interference on the New Body trucks so your dash doesn't beep at you every time you pull up to a stoplight.
Compare Premium Flare Styles
OEM Smooth Look or Bolted Off-Road Armor?
|
Flare Style |
Top Brands |
Tire Coverage |
Best For |
|
Pocket Style |
Bushwacker / LUND |
1.5" - 2.5" |
Lifted Trucks. The iconic "bolted" look providing maximum coverage for massive, wide tires. |
|
OEM / OE Style |
EGR / Bushwacker |
0.5" - 0.75" |
Factory Look. Perfectly mimics the subtle, smooth factory flares found on the Laramie or Rebel trims. |
|
Extended / Smooth |
Stampede / LUND |
1.5" - 2.0" |
Clean Stance. Offers a smooth, clean finish (no fake bolts) but still provides the extra width needed to cover wheel poke. |
|
Sensor Compatible |
Bushwacker DRT |
Varies. |
Tech Packages. Specifically engineered and cut to avoid blocking the front bumper parking sensors. |
Frequently Asked Questions (Fender Flares)
Do I have to drill holes in my truck to install Pocket Style flares?
No, you do not.
The rugged stainless steel "rivets" or bolts you see on the outside of the flare are purely cosmetic. You bolt them into the plastic flare before you ever put the part on the truck. The flare itself attaches to the vehicle using the existing factory holes inside the wheel well lip and specialized clamping clips. Absolutely no metal drilling is required for major brands like Bushwacker or LUND.
Will these cover the rust on my "Classic" RAM wheel wells?
Yes, but you must treat the rust first.
Fender flares are an incredibly popular way to hide the notorious "RAM wheel arch rust." Most Pocket Style flares extend about 2 to 3 inches up the exterior fender, perfectly covering common rust spots. Warning: If you don't grind down the rust and seal it with a rust-converter or primer before installing the flares, the moisture trapped behind the plastic flare will cause the rust to spread significantly faster.
Why is it so important to know if I have the "Classic" or "New Body"?
Because the body lines are completely different.
- Classic (DS): Features a much rounder, sweeping wheel arch.
- New Body (DT): Features a more angular, squared-off, and modern wheel arch.
If you buy the wrong generation, the rigid ABS plastic flare will not contour to the body's sheet metal, leaving massive gaps that collect mud and vibrate at highway speeds. Always count your lug nuts (5 vs. 6) to be 100% safe.
Cover the poke.
Stay street-legal, cover your wide tires, and protect your paint. Shop our verified collection of premium 2019–2026 RAM 1500 Fender Flares.