Flaring my 2007 Subaru WRX STI! (Karlton Fender Flares)

[@xtremeyolks]

I wish they didn't use my name anymore. Sad to see something I spent a lot of time and energy on turn to complete crap. When I saw it was a older set, I was hoping it was one of my original sets (one way to tell, I used black gelcoat) This one is also odd as I see a recess for a attachment point at the dog leg, which my originals never had. Not sure when that was added in. I hope whoever runs Karlton fender flares now brings the company back to it's former glory, but I have no idea who owns it now. Good luck on the rest of your build! Love the Regamasters.--Karlton

[@Smeedia]

Thank you! And you were the original Karlton flare?! 😮 When I saw 2019 label on em I was hoping they were an original set. I ordered some through Subyflares years ago and they fix better than these did. I know Keith had the milds for a while and I suppose he sold then from what I've heard. Hoping that whoever is running it now starts bringing them back as a quality option 😫

[@xtremeyolks]

@@Smeedia Yea flares were created in 2010, sold the molds to Keith in 2014 or 15 I believe it was. I believe he had new molds created at some point as he added forester options as well. I just did 05-07 sti, 04-05 wrx wagon, and 02-03 wrx, all with slightly different molds as fenders were all a bit different

[@6d0k1gaming9]

I bought/ordered after watching this video. worst service after 2 months I requested a refund and now am waiting. really a shame because I've been wanting it for about ten years....

[@joeolson6623]

Huge love for the box! The hoodie fits her now, can’t wait for the whole car to shine through

[@Smeedia]

Always appreciate the support Joe 🥳🫡

[@Louis-pj7el]

😔 cutting up a perfectly fine stock body 07

[@Smeedia]

It's what I do 😫

[@Cole.Van.]

Shame

[@Smeedia]

@Cole.Van. I feel no remorse for my actions lol

[@chrisschuster6451]

If it was metal I could respect it. 🤨

[@Cole.Van.]

@@Smeediayour car, your call 🤷‍♂️ Just hurts because these things sell for 20k near me with paint damage, on their 3rd blown motor and a salvage title lol Legit question, if you’re gonna cut it up why not do something high effort like a wrc kit?

[@MrLuchoBigoton]

Some of us are gonna love the mods some other are gonna dislike them but one thing is for sure this is your project you get to shape it anyway you like. The tuning never dies man thanks for sharing.

[@stlrocketman2625]

👍

[@Smeedia]

Thank you! I'll continue to build them how I see fit. I know that once the car is done. The ones who say they hate it or think it's tacky will change their minds. Everyone becomes so judgmental until they see the final product 👌

[@ThatWasherNerd]

The only thing I dislike about this series is that it’s making we want to do all this to my own Hawkeye

[@Smeedia]

I'm not saying send it. but if you wanna send it, send it 😅

[@EJ20WRX]

Love the JDM hazard button. Beautiful touch. The radio is dope, too.

[@Smeedia]

For $25 it's a small touch that's totally worth it 🙌🔥

[@OoPINBALLoO]

@@Smeedia Where'd you get that hazard button? I need one!

[@Mattregan8]

"Its just gonna be a reliable daily driver sti" ...two weeks later ... "so im just waiting on outfront for the new block and fedex for the massive turbo, injectors, fuel pumps gotta do the front mount probably just like 500-600 wheel HP" everytime haha keep the conent coming man we all love it

[@damonsara6499]

This is gonna be such a clean nostalgia hit once it’s done. This model is what first exposed me to the STI because of an old ps1/ps2 rally car video game I played when I was young! So keen to see it complete ❤

[@Smeedia]

I'm excited to see the end result with the flares and everything on it. I remember seeing a black Hawk with flares Like 10 years ago and I always wanted one similar to it

[@jaymarkdecenabringino3090]

What the size of the wheels u put on that car with fender flares

[@whopperwitfries8754]

Question not related to the video but you're definitely the person to ask I have a ej205 in my sf forester can I fit a fp green on stock location been looking around and haven't found an answer thanks

[@Smeedia]

Yes you can, you'll need to use an offset coupler to make it fit. TGVs will also.make it a huge PIA

[@whopperwitfries8754]

@Smeedia thank you I appreciate it going to start collecting parts to get the dusty td05 out of there

[@CHASEtheDRIVE.]

Classic throw back look in 07 I had an 05 sti and wanted those for my car soooo bad. I cant wait. Another smeedia classic! Gonna start posting my stuff soon and again you are the inspiration good sir🎉

[@Smeedia]

Yasssss! These are the best looking flares IMO. I just hope karlton fixes the fitment issues on sets 😫

[@CHASEtheDRIVE.]

​@@Smeedialike you said fiber glass and fender flares gaskets are the way to go😅

[@ChristopherFranz]

Tanner: "I want every generation in world rally blue" *Proceeds to wrap 2 out of 3 that he has in WRB* Love that shape and chassis. Its lucky to have a home with you

[@Smeedia]

They're all WRB on the inside 😅

[@brucegardner5082]

Have you ever done a giveaway of sorts and say do a followers car rebuild /build?

[@Smeedia]

I've done built engine give aways before 👀

[@brucegardner5082]

@@Smeedia good stuff love the content I’ve watched and learned a good bit from your channel just wish I had the time and proper equipment to do more of the work myself on my wrx

[@GroupBEJ25]

I am running a 285 square setup they fit perfect. Only rub ever so lightly on a huge bump but with hardening the suspension it does not rub as much if any. Love where you going with this car, I hope you keep it!

[@Smeedia]

What size wheels are you running? 🫣

[@GroupBEJ25]

@@Smeedia Cosmis racing MR-7 18X10J. The crazy thing they still tuck in slightly with the flares. I’ll send you photos on IG.

[@C4banchee]

Are you gonna finish painting the radiator its only half done. Its looking good, did you have any plans interior wise that you wanted to do for it?

[@Smeedia]

Lol, the AC condenser? I'm going to replace it. The thing has so much iver spray on it 😂

[@jptothetree]

This is the way.

[@Smeedia]

This is the only way

[@bradgreen987]

Hope they come through with updated flares. Odd how fronts are ok but rears are so bad. Should look great. White wheels a nice contrast to the blue

[@Smeedia]

White and blue are always such a good color combo 🔥 I'm hoping they pull through with another set of flares 😫

[@ozej2043]

Can you do a quick video on removing front bumper, your the master on bumper removal

[@Smeedia]

My bumpers are Raley ever fully attached 😅 but I can. What year you need?

[@ozej2043]

07 please

[@justiniman7705]

If you paint, Automotive touch-up has a great WRB match....did my wing on my 11 wrx....color and clear, not a bad price either....I agree Wings suck to wrap, I tried and ended up taking to a professional.

[@Smeedia]

I'll take a look into them 🫡 I've got some Grimmspeed WRB and it's definitely a diffrent shade to OEM

[@BraddahTones]

I’m here to talk to you about your 07 extended warranty

[@Smeedia]

Do I still have one? Lmao

[@creativedragon1165]

I know this is an old video, but I’m about to flare my 04 wrx. I was just curious what the wheel specs those Regamaster Evos were?

[@FvD714]

what ended up happening with the rear flares?

[@vashishyash]

Have you a link for the double din radio can't find on ebay

[@Smeedia]

wrxdaily.com/collections/idoing/products/idoing-head-unit-2002-2007-impreza-1

[@WrexyJoe]

When you opened the door on the flare I lol'd.. Heres to hoping you get the rears soon!

[@joeolson6623]

No hoodie lol huge shout out to you for the goody box!

[@Smeedia]

Waiting on a restock, I'm out right now 😫

[@joeolson6623]

@@Smeedia trade you Rx7 for little red express In original condition

[@Smeedia]

@@joeolson6623 you have a little red exspress?!

[@joeolson6623]

@@Smeedia I do

[@Hardcore_flat_four]

Turns out sti rear bumper is different from the wrx. The lower part near the wheels on each side has a different shape…

[@Smeedia]

Correct 🙏 the 05-07 rear STI bumper has the flare arch built into it

[@allanatienza7867]

Just wondering what kind of Idoing headunit that you went with?

[@jakegackle7398]

The Kobalt deburring tool is actually pretty good too. It's like $9 from Lowes. I use mine all the time.

[@albegt98]

After GC8 model 💪,i love 2007 model 😍

[@Smeedia]

07 was the pinnacle year, IMO 😍

[@Murr808]

flares on flares on flares

[@Smeedia]

You get some flares, and you get some flares. EVERYBODY GETS SOME FLARES

[@hectoralonso7948]

were can i get a head unit like that one

[@Smeedia]

IDOING 🫡🫡

[@hectoralonso7948]

@@Smeedia thank you

[@boosTiMon]

Seriously? Yes!!! Damn Son!! Oooh 295/35/18 🤔

[@Smeedia]

295s are a little too big 😅

[@boosTiMon]

@@Smeediaok 275/35/18 lol still wide as heck with aspect ratio real big status still

[@du5771]

For the flares, if they sit a long time they usually tend to deform or loose the curves. Easy fix is to use heat gun and get it nice and hot and it will become bendable again and you can fill the gaps with pressure and get it back to how they were originally intended.

[@MonkellD]

I wish I could work on more subarus than just mine 😔 just got my underglow setup complete, minus my acrylic piece with leds to go behind the logo on the invidia axleback 😝

[@Smeedia]

What brand underglow did you end up using?! 🫣🙌

[@MonkellD]

@Smeedia GLOWE strips, with Blue Ghozt controller. Next level neo is the hookup. All addressable leds. I'll have to post the video of my install this week. In my opinion, best setup you will find based on brightness and controller. The controller is almost limitless.

[@David370z]

Looking forward to a detail video

[@Smeedia]

Pull out all the Nasty that this car is filled with 😅

[@David370z]

@@Smeedia hell yeah 🙌 maybe it’ll give me some inspiration to detail my gd😹

[@joshseppala1003]

Odd question, were did you get that bit for your Milwaukee angle grinder? I haven’t been able to find one unless I’m searching the wrong thing lol

[@is_blue_subaru]

Tanner! Totally random question but what is the name of the things that you mock up the kit with?

[@Smeedia]

Clecko clamps 🫡

[@is_blue_subaru]

Thank you ❤️

[@TheJohnb35711]

Hey man absolute shot in the dark. My buddy blew the engine in the sti i sold him autocrossing. Have any rebuilt longblocks? We're on the other side of this country and prob doesn't make sense to ship a motor out there.

[@kentkercheval6647]

Where did you get the idoing unit?

[@pacochavez3647]

this gives me so much motivation to fix up my 06 sti 😩

[@Smeedia]

Bring it back 😫

[@pacochavez3647]

@@Smeedia are you trying to buy another one? 👀

[@joshanderson1122]

Refreshing alot on a GD is almost a must now a days. They are so old most are crumbling around you. Don't forget all your suspension and alignment bushings I'm sure they're mush. Gotta add I haven't seen a hack job that bad on the radio since hs😢

[@Smeedia]

That's just how GDs are now 😫 I have so much good stuff this thing going to feel brand new. Ordered new steering rack, pump, lines, mounts etc. These older ones just need ALOT of love now 😫

[@joshanderson1122]

@@Smeedia I feel ya. First think I did the day I brought mine home was order pretty much the entire Whiteline catalog

[@dennis3285]

Glad to see you’re doing the rack as well. Hopefully you can do a video on it lol ☄️

[@WRXMAN-ms2mm]

To each their own I say. For me often less is more. This is one of those times. It’s like the wing or no wing debate on an STI. Regardless above and beyond the aesthetic of the flare and fitment issues typically is the inner fender protection that appears to be compromised. And the associated risk of increased corrosion taking hold when you live in snow country or rainy country. Would it be that difficult for an inner fender extension piece to be provided with the flare kit? Or am I missing something fundamental here?

[@ponchodutch]

Try some heat to help mold those rear flares. You would be surprised what a bit of heat can do the help form fiberglass.

[@Smeedia]

We tried some. From what I was reading, the epoxy used has to be a heat sensitive type to be able to form the fiber glass. But the amount needed to be formed would crank and break the flares. We couldn't get enough forming out of thrm to even get them close

[@sk8mike_1]

What are those "bolts" called that you're using to hold the flares?

[@Smeedia]

Clecko clamps 👌

[@mthompson1637]

Cleco fasteners, they come in different mounting styles and hole sizes

[@Paddy_Badger]

Dang the flares. Hopefully it gets sorted out. One of my personal favorite mods on my 05 sti is my red hazard button. Just a subtle difference but changes the whole look. 👨‍🍳💋

[@Smeedia]

It adds a nice little touch into the interior 🫴

[@yowicky9465]

yess i love flare fitment on the gd chassis😈😈

[@Smeedia]

They look so got damn good flared 😫

[@yomamma5052]

Heat gun will make the fiberglass flexible

[@Smeedia]

We tried using some heat, the amount of strech they would need is wayyyy too much. It will crack and break the flare

[@ronnygonzabay233]

295!!! Is the way to go!!!

[@omialmanza1900]

Can't miss this one!! ✌🏼

[@Smeedia]

🫡🙌

[@aynun1647]

I agree with this decision

[@Smeedia]

They always look so good flared 👌

[@aynun1647]

@@Smeediawhen it’s done I’m showing this to my friend to convince him to also put flares on his hawkeye

[@pw85___]

THAT WAS ME TANNER!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! ☻️😈😈😈😈😈😈👹😆😆😆😆😆😆🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Smeedia]

👀👀👀👀👀

[@andrewb7057]

Rear flare section it between the bumper so theres a seperate piece on it to the bumper problem solved

[@iamchrisdammit]

Damn man. Hopefully you get them flares soon. I’m also bummed.

[@Smeedia]

Was actually shocked to see how bad they were 🤣

[@iamchrisdammit]

Lmao. Ya should of started in the rear. Always start in the rear 😂 🍑

[@Smeedia]

​@iamchrisdammit dude seriously 😂

[@techshedlington3106]

Opened up raving about the flairs and in the end you shat all over them.. disappointing for a supplier to get it so wrong 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Smeedia]

Hoping they actually follow through with a proper fitting set of rears 😫

[@RushroyaleAddicts]

You shoulda made the video go slo-mo when you wer cutting the spot for the flares, for dramatic effect, lul

[@Fackler91]

This looks gangster. ❤

[@Smeedia]

Once it is done it'll be 👌🫴

[@Fackler91]

@Smeedia when are you going to the dyno? I can't wait to see that video

[@Smeedia]

Once the oil system is fixed, I'm just waiting on parts to show up

[@Fackler91]

​@Smeedia I can't wait, bro. I'm excited about that video.

[@Davorox1]

Yoooooo. That is definitely going on the maybe maybe list. I could run less offset with flares 🤯

[@Smeedia]

Wider wheel with higher offset would work well 👀

[@Davorox1]

@@Smeedia *notes down the knowledge being spit* The chief has spoken. ✍️

[@jacobstephens8447]

I've been doing a lot better at liking every video. Honestly a harder habit to form for me than I ever thought lol. Love the 07 content. Older subarus are just so iconic.

[@Smeedia]

The older ones have such a unique feeling to them. And the styling is just 👌

[@carterschichtel9678]

There goes any chance of re sell or drivavability lol

[@Smeedia]

10/10 disagree

[@carterschichtel9678]

@@Smeedia Sorry I spoke too soon, they don’t even fit 😂. If the chassis was worth anything before it’s pretty worthless now. No matter how much you cut it’s still going to rub with the monster truck wheels

[@r-isomer5653]

I agree way to botch a perfectly good car bubba just for some views 😭😅😂

[@grundy6921]

I really want a gd now😩

[@Smeedia]

Join us 😫😫😫

[@grundy6921]

@@Smeedia might get rid of my 13 sedan and get a blobeye sti….

[@Smeedia]

@grundy6921 I'm going to forwarn you, alot of GDs need alot of love now 🙏

[@grundy6921]

@@Smeedia that’s ok, I have a lot of love to give😂.

[@is_blue_subaru]

I said it on insta but imma say it again, im jealous 😭

[@Smeedia]

Just wait until you see the rear fitment 💀

[@is_blue_subaru]

@@Smeediadawg trust me, I know 💀

[@johnsaunders5809]

I never said flares but I said when you first got the 07 that you were gonna go wild with it 😂😂

[@Smeedia]

Unplanned activities spawned by evil thoughts 😅

[@johnsaunders5809]

@@SmeediaI knew Mel should’ve kept a closer eye on you 😂 I tried to tell her 🤷🏽‍♀️😂

[@Panzerlang]

Awesome cuts. :)

[@Smeedia]

Fronts came out pretty clean 🙌

[@rustom1981]

Why you want to use rear doors, cancel them & make it copay 😐.

[@Smeedia]

Lmao just weld up the rear doors 😅

[@rustom1981]

@@Smeedia cancel them 👺

[@masonh2538]

Nobody can seem to tell me why hacking up a car for this is okay and cool but fixing a rust spot on a rear quarter means the cars junk. Been asking for years.

[@Smeedia]

I don't see how fixing a rusty quarter makes it junk? Who says doing similar for rust is junk? I'd only consider one scrap or junk if the rails are rusted

[@masonh2538]

@@Smeedia Idk it just seems like anytime I see a for sale post with a car that the quarters have been patched (done correctly or not) the dude gets dragged. Same with pickup frames. If a guy fixes a frame the right way which is possible to do people act like it’s junk but then you go on KZbin and someone turns a single cab long bed diesel into a short bed and everyone acts like he’s god. I’ve just never understood it all. None of my stuff has been patched or anything I’ve just been curious on the topic.

[@theblumeanie]

Good luck, I'm on month 2 of fake tracking numbers and an terrible response time, been waiting since August For my flares, been told several times they shipped just to receive fake tracking numbers.

[@mailetran9372]

Have you ever received them? We’re going on 6 months of waiting now too..

[@ohitskej]

I’m early again pops

[@Smeedia]

Birds get worms early 🫣

[@travistabor3525]

Send me those rear flares! Maybe they fit my fozz!

[@pharmztko]

Flare deez

[@Smeedia]

Flare deez nuts 😫

[@rheesnielsen1161]

flares probably gotta be one of the worst subaru mods

[@dougl4253]

Give it time he’ll have the 23 cut up too lmao

[@Smeedia]

😈😈

[@dougl4253]

Is there any videos of a full install on a doing for 18+

[@Smeedia]

@dougl4253 I have one for my 2017, I belive the install is same same 👀

[@UncleSpool]

Those are some sparky "aluminum" fenders, lol.

[@Smeedia]

Lmao realized that after I said it 😂

[@10till4ish]

Love a flared hawkeye 🔥👌🏾

[@Smeedia]

Flared hawks are just 🫴

[@IlovemySubaru]

Tanner your shoe is untied.

[@Smeedia]

The laces just long 😅

[@gregb8153]

Please stop with the grinder on the body panels :(

[@Smeedia]

I can't help myself, it's like I'm drawn to it 😫

[@tommanning7337]

😎👍🏻👍🏻

[@Smeedia]

TOMMMM 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@Hakiri27]

NOOOOO not the flares

[@Smeedia]

😈😈😈😈

[@Hakiri27]

@@Smeedia your car do what you want :P i wanted to see some oem wheel fitment though

[@Smeedia]

​@@Hakiri2718x9.5 +38 solid OEM body fitment 👌

[@Hardcore_flat_four]

Angry acorn flares are a cool option or battle aero has a nice look. I went with wrc widebody kit from Australia… should receive the full 12+ piece kit 2-3months from now.

[@Smeedia]

There's a legit WRC kit?! Who makes it over there? 👀

[@is_blue_subaru]

@@Smeediaim going with the angry acorn kit hehe

[@is_blue_subaru]

I’m going with the angry acorn kit! I got it used off marketplace and the fronts need some work but it’s nothing crazy it seems like

[@707WRX]

@@is_blue_subarubro is literally everywhere

[@Hardcore_flat_four]

@@Smeedia EBay, just search ( 07 Impreza wrc widebody ) $1800-2000. I felt all other flares and kits don’t match the body lines of the car. Prodrive style body kit exaggerates the factory body lines 👌

[@Urkardaddy]

So you took a clean GD and cut up the fenders id understand on a rusty car but a clean one ......WHY would you...Karlton should be sued for ruining Subaru WRX. If your gonna cut up a good car id at least do a real WRC kit ..Yes i know there 12k but absolutely the way to go.

[@calebbean1416]

Sweet Christ, another ruined GD STi. Don’t know why internet cartubers insist upon destroying cars with low production numbers. Every time I get on Facebook I see part out after part out time and time and again. These cars are disappearing more and more every year.

[@Smeedia]

Because it's my car... if I want to cut it up to flare it because I like ot then that's what I'll do. There also not a low production number car, there's an absolute ton of 04-07 STIs out there. It's a 150K mile car. It's not like it's a low milage gem.

[@Smeedia]

And if you really want to look at it that way, think of it as clean rust free stock body GD prices being worth what they might be.

[@calebbean1416]

@@Smeedia 4500 were produced in 2007 and only 800 had that color and wheel combo. Of 25k GD STis that were produced 20 years ago, fewer than half are left. Fewer than that are in decent shape. I will always respect someone’s opinion but it’s still sad to see. These cars, regardless of mileage or condition make great oem+ restoration candidates. If it was a WRX body, then hell yeah, cut it up and make something out of it.

[@Smeedia]

​@@calebbean1416​ we have no idea of what wheels were even on this car. It has a beat pair of 08-10 STI wheels on it. If it helps sooth your soul at all, if I did not scoop this 07 then it was going to be parted out and crushed. While the fenders may be getting cut its not getting half asked either. Everything from the steering rack, to engine, suspension, bushings and more are all getting replaced. It's also been repainted by Maco so it's not original paint, the doors have more dents than I can count. I Agree. IF this was a clean chassis then I wouldent cut it up. But it's a beat chassis with a terrible paint job that's had a rough life.

[@dj27nitro]

To each their own but the fender flairs look so ugly the wrx is wide enough don’t need flairs cutting the body up made me cringe ahhhh.

[@s13tunerz53]

Not a fan of flares. They look so tacky. Imo...

[@aaronchiswell3313]

Nooo

[@winstonbrowne3167]

Nooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

[@Smeedia]

I'm keeping the value of stock body GDs high 🤣

[@winstonbrowne3167]

Man I was praying u didn't cut this one, was thinking this is going to be a built sleeper, ( built motor, stock clean body ) and then I got the notification lol this one hurts. 😭

[@Smeedia]

@@winstonbrowne3167 I'm using a stock block in it 😭

[@mrwhite879]

Just ruined another decent car 😂

[@Smeedia]

And I'll keep doing it 😌

[@is_blue_subaru]

I sent you a DM on insta a bit ago when I was waiting on my karltons to actually arrive, but basically I was asking if you knew if they’d gone to shit. They have in fact, gone to shit. I actually talked to two random people on Facebook the other day both who were having issues with the new owners and were getting the run around. I was given two false tracking numbers 😢

[@Smeedia]

Im hoping they're not yanking my Johnson again and want to believe that they're back to quality.

[@is_blue_subaru]

@@Smeediano offense, they’ll probably treat you differently since you’ve got a big subie following and will try to fix it ASAP 😅 but if they don’t, *PLEASE* spread awareness because I’ve heard of way too many people getting screwed over and I personally cannot warn people enough 😂

[@Smeedia]

​@@is_blue_subaruthey most definitely did not last time. I would hope they would treat me no diffrent than any other customer of theirs

[@is_blue_subaru]

@@SmeediaI’d hope so. Please keep me updated on how it goes for you 🫶 im really hoping that they’re getting better but from what I heard they’re not 😔 also when you gonna be live on insta next 👀

[@Smeedia]

@@is_blue_subaru randomly. It's never planned 😅