Carguy8888

iTrader: (1)

I was not sure where to put this, feel free to move if necessary. Did they help, hurt or do nothing. I searched and was surprised not to see one post.

https://www.detroitspeed.com/1993-20...irebird-010112

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Looks like a nice item, but it's not a new idea. A similar sort of fender guard was actually included from the factory on older 4th gens, but these disappeared near the end of the '98 (or perhaps the start of the '99) model year. The factory/GM version isn't quite as nice as the ones linked above (they are plastic), and they don't attach directly to the fender (they mount strait into the frame only) so there is a small gap between the fender tab and the guard (which makes their level of protection slightly inferior to the ones above).

Carguy8888

iTrader: (1)

Thankfully my car is not going on that many more lifts but I think it's a really cool idea and I may just have them thrown on. Thank you for your insight.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

if you want to save your fender tabs use the GM plastic ones or those nicely made ones from DSE....both do the job.....I have the GM plastic ones.....they show up on ebay every now n then

Carguy8888

iTrader: (1)

It's certainly not an emergency, do the GM plastic ones have a specific name?

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

I dont have a clue what GM called them.....fixin bent fender tabs is a PITA....and I have to remind discount tire not to use the lift but to jack it up by hand

Carguy8888

iTrader: (1)

If I put on the DSE ones can you Dan Jack the car up using them as the contact point?

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

I would not....I would say its just to save the fender tabs....nothing else......when a lift is use the fender tab is lower that the frame points so they get bent

Carguy8888

iTrader: (1)

Good to know ty.

Carguy8888

iTrader: (1)

Ty, so if I do it go DSE.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

The DSE ones look like nicer pieces since they are metal and bolt directly to the fender tabs as well as the frame, but I guess it comes down to pricing and availability. If you can find the stock/GM plastic ones for significantly cheaper, I think those would be plenty good for this purpose - they hang down low enough to prevent the fender tab from ever getting broken off, but the slight gap between them and the tab could still allow the tab to get slightly bent with certain types of jacks placed in certain positions. But either would/will prevent total breakage of the tab (as is very common on the '99-'02 cars) under typical jacking circumstances at shops, etc.

I've never bought the GM/stock plastic ones used, so I'm not sure what their general price is when they do come up for sale. I recall many years ago being involved in a lengthy thread discussing these stock pieces and whether or not they could be ordered from the dealer. My '98 came stock with them, and I examined them for a part number but could not find one, and I don't think anyone was ever able to get a number through any GM dealer either. They seem to have been some sort of an assembly line piece which was used for a time and then discontinued, but I don't think they were ever available to be ordered as a service item over the GM parts counter.

imma_stocker

iTrader: (19)

That's an expensive lego.

The Cartel

iTrader: (1)

I have them, They allow you to perfectly position the fender and tighten them up properly. My tabs were terrible and the holes stripped. I dont use them for jacking. My boxed Bmr subframe connectors get that duty. I like them, I'd buy them again.

Carguy8888

iTrader: (1)

I'm sure DSE puts out good stuff.the question is do I need them if I make sure nobody Jack's the car up from the pinch welds?

hokeplaya05

iTrader: (3)

my car has the plastic "brace" pieces from the factory and i still have the fender tab bend out and miss-align the fender. I've been thinking about getting the DSE braces since the plastic braces really don't do much, they are not directly bolted to the fender/tab like the DSE braces do so it doesn't keep them from bending

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

If the car is never improperly jacked, then the tabs will never get bent (i.e. no need for a "guard").

Right. As mentioned above, it's still possible to bend the tabs with the GM plastic guards but they should prevent the typical worst case scenario - the tabs getting completely flattened/bent all the way up and the plastic tab on the fender itself breaking.