The Sensor Problem: Installing Fender Flares on a Co-Pilot360 Equipped F150
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You just put a lift kit and a set of deep-dish -44mm offset wheels on your 2021–2025 Ford F-150. It looks incredible. But as you drive down the road, you hear the unmistakable sound of rocks hitting your doors.
You need Fender Flares.
But before you click "Add to Cart" on that set of aggressive Bushwackers, you need to check your front fenders.
The 14th Gen F-150 introduced a high-tech feature: Active Park Assist 2.0. This system uses sensors all around the truck, including one pesky sensor located right on the side of the front wheel arch—exactly where a fender flare sits.
If you cover this sensor, your truck's brain will think you are constantly about to hit a wall. In this guide, we show you how to identify if you have this sensor and which flares are designed to work around it so you can get the wide-body look without the dashboard error lights.
Compare Flare Styles
How much coverage do you need?
|
Flare Style |
Added Width |
Look |
Best For |
|
OE / Factory Style |
+0.75 in. |
Sleek. Looks like a factory option. |
Stock/Mild Builds. Hiding fender scratches or minor rust. |
|
Pocket / Bolt Style |
+1.5 - 2.0 in. |
Aggressive. Visible stainless bolts. |
Lifted Trucks. Covering wide tires on -12mm wheels. |
|
Extend-A-Fender |
+1.5 - 2.0 in. |
Smooth. Wide but no visible bolts. |
Clean Builds. Getting coverage without the "bolted" look. |
|
Raptor Style |
+2.0 in. |
Widebody. Mimics the Raptor contour. |
Conversion Builds. Requires wider bumpers to look right. |
Frequently Asked Questions (Fender Flares)
Do I have to drill holes in my fender?
Generally, No. Most high-quality flares (Bushwacker, Rough Country) use the existing factory holes inside the fender lip. They secure with clips and screws into the liner. The stainless steel bolts you see on the outside of "Pocket Style" flares are purely decorative—they do not go through your metal fender.
Will these cover the "fender vent" badge?
No. Fender flares sit on the wheel arch. The F-150 fender vent (Lariat/XLT badge) is located higher up near the cowl. The flares stop well below that badge and do not interfere with it.
Can I run these with mud flaps?
Not usually. Most aftermarket flares occupy the same mounting space on the fender lip that mud flaps use. Unless you buy specific "Flare-Compatible Mud Flaps" (which are rare), you typically have to choose one or the other. Tip: The wide flare itself acts as a mud flap for the side of the body.
Cover the poke. Save the paint.
Get the coverage you need for wide tires. Shop our verified collection of [2021–2025 F-150 Fender Flares] compatible with Co-Pilot360 sensors.