GWM TANK 400 wheel-arch flares should be chosen against the exact vehicle body, wheel-and-tyre package and registration jurisdiction. A flare can extend body coverage and change the vehicle's appearance, but it cannot by itself prove that a wider wheel, altered offset, larger tyre or increased track is legal, safe or free from contact.
Decision Maker 4X4 lists a six-piece matte-black wheel-arch flare kit for the GWM TANK 400. The listing says the sections are designed to follow the original wheel-arch profile and recommends professional installation. It does not claim universal TANK 400 fitment, a no-drill installation or approval for every wheel setup. Match the gallery, body details and package contents to the actual vehicle before ordering.
Quick answer: what should you check before buying TANK 400 flares?
Confirm these nine points:
- Exact market, build date, powertrain and body specification.
- Front and rear panel shapes, trim joins, doors, bumpers and mudflaps.
- The kit's total sections, left/right orientation, hardware and installation method.
- Actual tyre projection at the front and rear axles—not the advertised wheel width alone.
- Wheel width, offset, track, tyre size, load rating and speed rating.
- Clearance at full steering lock and through suspension travel.
- Required tyre coverage and modification rules in the state or territory of registration.
- Surface finish, paint compatibility, UV exposure and long-term care.
- Dry-fit evidence, installer responsibility and a post-installation inspection.
TANK 400 flare fitment summary
| Check | Why it matters | Evidence to collect before installation |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle identity | Similar-looking TANK 400 versions may use different trim, bumpers or mounting details | Build date, market, powertrain, trim and clear photos of all four arches |
| Kit identity | “Six-piece” does not explain which sections overlap or what hardware is supplied | Unpacked parts photo, left/right labels, fastener list and fitting instructions |
| Tyre coverage | A flare must cover the relevant wheel-and-tyre projection under the applicable rules | Straight-edge or plumb-line measurements with wheels pointing straight ahead |
| Wheel geometry | Width, offset and track can change projection and bearing/suspension loads | Wheel markings, tyre size, tyre placard, alignment data and vehicle limits |
| Dynamic clearance | A tyre that clears while parked may contact when steering or articulating | Full-lock checks, safe suspension-travel inspection and road-test results |
| Body interaction | Flare edges can meet doors, bumpers, liners, steps and mudflaps | Even panel gaps, opening-door test and underside photos |
| Mounting method | Adhesive, clips, screws and drilling have different preparation and repair needs | Product-specific instructions and installer plan—never infer from photos |
| Finish | Matte plastic, coated parts and paintable substrates need different preparation | Material identification and coating manufacturer's process |
| Compliance | Flares do not legalise a non-compliant wheel-and-tyre conversion | Current state/territory guidance and, where required, an approved signatory |
1. Identify the exact TANK 400—not only the model name
Record the vehicle's:
- country or market specification;
- build month and model year;
- petrol, Hi4-T, Hi4-Z or other powertrain;
- trim or grade;
- factory bumper, side-step, liner and mudflap configuration;
- current wheels, tyres and suspension; and
- any previous body or accident repair.
This is especially important for an Australian buyer because the TANK 400 is not currently shown in GWM Australia's official local model range. April 2026 reporting said GWM was assessing a local business case, not that an Australian specification had been confirmed. A part developed around a current overseas-market vehicle should not be represented as proven fitment for a possible future Australian version.
Compare close photos of the product on a vehicle with your own front and rear arches. Look at the bumper-to-guard join, door cut-line, rocker or side-step termination, wheel-liner edge and any factory trim holes. A shared silhouette is not enough.
For broader version checks, use our TANK 400 petrol vs Hi4-T accessory fitment guide.
2. Confirm what “six-piece kit” means
Lay every component on a clean surface before removing protective film or applying adhesive. A six-piece arrangement may divide the front or rear arch around doors or bumper sections, but the exact layout must come from the supplied kit—not from an assumption.
Check for:
- all six flare sections;
- matching left- and right-hand profiles;
- clips, screws, nuts, washers, tape, seals or brackets stated in the instructions;
- undamaged mounting tabs and straight edges;
- consistent texture and colour;
- instructions or a reliable installation sequence; and
- any exclusions for factory mudflaps, steps or bumper options.
Photograph the unpacked kit and retain the packaging until every section has been dry-fitted. If a piece is distorted, missing or clearly mismatched, stop before drilling, painting or bonding it.
3. Measure tyre projection instead of guessing from wheel size
Wheel diameter does not tell you how far the tyre sits outside the body. Projection is affected by wheel width, offset, tyre section width, sidewall shape, alignment and the axle's position under the vehicle.
With the vehicle on level ground, correctly loaded and the steering centred:
- Confirm tyre pressures and settle the suspension.
- Place a straight edge vertically against the outermost relevant part of the tyre or rim without distorting the sidewall.
- Use a plumb line or square to compare that line with the existing body and the proposed flare edge.
- Measure front and rear axles separately and compare both sides.
- Repeat after alignment if wheels, tyres or suspension have changed.
Do not rely on a “poke” estimate from a three-quarter photo. Perspective, tyre lettering and a parked steering angle can make projection look larger or smaller than it is.
4. Treat flares and wheel legality as separate questions
Australian modification requirements are applied through state and territory registration systems. The national Vehicle Standards Bulletin 14, Section LS provides a modification framework, but the rules and approval pathway that apply to a particular vehicle must be checked with its registration authority.
Several official guides illustrate the coverage principle:
- NSW Vehicle Standards Information No. 9 says the wheel and tyre must be contained within the bodywork or mudguards, including flares, with the wheels straight ahead.
- Queensland's minor-modifications guidance similarly says rims and tyres must not protrude beyond the bodywork, including flares, when viewed from above with the wheels facing straight ahead.
- South Australia's vehicle-modification guidance also requires mudguards to cover the tyre width and sets other wheel, tyre and mudguard conditions.
Those examples do not create one universal national measurement for every vehicle. Requirements can differ with vehicle category, tyre diameter, wheel track, offset, certification route and jurisdiction.
A flare therefore does not automatically approve:
- excessive wheel-track increase;
- an unsuitable or unmarked rim;
- incorrect tyre load or speed rating;
- wheel spacers or adapters;
- tyre-to-body or tyre-to-suspension contact;
- a tyre diameter outside the permitted range; or
- an uncertified modification that requires approval.
Check the latest rules where the vehicle is registered. If the wheel-and-tyre package is near a limit or forms part of a larger suspension conversion, speak with an approved vehicle examiner or engineering signatory before purchasing parts.
5. Check clearance at steering lock and suspension travel
Static outer coverage is only one part of fitment. The tyre must also clear the flare, liner, body, suspension, brake hoses and wiring through normal operation.
After a temporary dry fit, inspect both front wheels at full left and full right steering lock. Look at the leading and trailing edges of the liner, flare fasteners and bumper join. At the rear, check the forward door-side section, bumper-side section and any mudflap interface.
Suspension compression and droop should be assessed safely by a qualified workshop. Never crawl under a vehicle supported only by a jack, and do not use an improvised articulation test that overloads the vehicle. Evidence of rubbing includes polished plastic, cuts, displaced liners, fresh rubber marks or loose fasteners.
If clearance depends on trimming a structural panel, moving a safety component or limiting steering travel, stop and obtain professional advice. A cosmetic flare is not a justification for compromising the vehicle.
6. Dry-fit every section before drilling, bonding or painting
Use removable masking tape to hold each part in place. Start with the body and parts clean, then establish a consistent reveal around the wheel opening.
During the dry fit, verify:
- even spacing around the arch;
- flush contact with the panel rather than forced bending;
- matching ends at doors and bumpers;
- full door opening without contact;
- clearance to fuel-door, liner, mudflap and step components where applicable;
- fastener access from behind the panel; and
- matching height and visual line on both sides of the vehicle.
Do not assume that visible bolt heads are functional, that existing holes will be reused, or that the kit is adhesive-only. Follow the instructions for the exact part supplied. If drilling is required, the installer must identify what sits behind the panel, protect wiring and hoses, deburr the hole and apply an appropriate corrosion-protection process.
7. Use the mounting system specified for the kit
Different plastics, coatings and tapes require different cleaners, primers, surface temperatures and cure times. Generic online advice can weaken a particular material or coating.
Avoid:
- silicone or oily dressings on bonding surfaces;
- household solvent that may craze plastic or damage paint;
- extra self-tapping screws placed without checking behind the panel;
- overtightening that distorts the flare;
- trapping water and dirt against unprotected metal; and
- sealing drainage paths in the wheel housing.
Where tape or adhesive is supplied, record its manufacturer and batch details and follow its preparation and curing instructions. Where mechanical fasteners are supplied, use the specified washers, clips and torque method. Recheck the installation after the initial drive and again after rough-road use.
8. Decide on matte black or paint before final installation
The listed kit has a matte-black finish. Leaving it unpainted may make future replacement simpler, but appearance and UV ageing will depend on the actual material and coating. Painting can create a colour-matched result only if the substrate accepts the complete preparation system.
Before painting, ask a reputable automotive paint shop to identify:
- the flare material;
- whether an adhesion promoter is required;
- compatible primer, basecoat and clearcoat;
- flexible-additive requirements;
- cure temperature limits; and
- how the shop will prevent coating build-up at mating edges.
Paint after a successful dry fit but before permanent installation unless the product instructions state otherwise. Keep the inside face, adhesive zones and clip interfaces free from unwanted coating.
For routine care, wash out trapped mud and salt, avoid harsh solvent-based dressings and inspect edges for movement. A loose section can abrade the painted body beneath it.
9. Finish with a documented inspection
After installation:
- Confirm every fastener and bonded area is secure.
- Open all adjacent doors and inspect panel gaps.
- Turn the steering fully in both directions on level ground.
- Check the tyre is covered as required for the registered jurisdiction.
- Verify that liners, mudflaps, steps and bumper pieces remain secure.
- Road-test at low speed, then normal road speed if safe.
- Listen for contact and inspect for fresh rub marks.
- Recheck after the adhesive cure period and the first rough-road trip.
Keep photos of the measurements, dry fit, mounting points and completed installation. Also retain the invoice, instructions and any engineering or inspection records. This evidence is useful for maintenance, resale and future wheel changes.
What to send us for a TANK 400 flare fitment check
Send:
- market and model year;
- VIN/chassis information where appropriate;
- powertrain and trim;
- straight-on photos of all four wheel arches;
- close-ups of front and rear bumper joins;
- wheel diameter, width and offset markings;
- complete tyre size from the sidewall;
- suspension changes;
- current tyre projection measurements; and
- the state or territory of registration.
We can compare this information with the product evidence available, but final installation and compliance remain the owner's and installer's responsibility.
Frequently asked questions
Do wheel-arch flares make wider tyres legal in Australia?
Not by themselves. Flares may help provide required outer coverage, but wheel track, offset, tyre size, load and speed ratings, clearance and certification rules still apply. Check the current requirements in the vehicle's registration jurisdiction.
Will this six-piece kit fit every GWM TANK 400?
That should not be assumed. Match the body and trim shown in the product gallery to the exact market, build date, powertrain and bumper configuration. Request written confirmation when details differ.
Is the TANK 400 flare kit a no-drill installation?
The current product description does not make that claim. Inspect the supplied instructions and hardware before installation, and do not drill until the area behind every proposed hole has been checked.
Can I install flares before changing wheels and tyres?
Yes, but the finished wheel-and-tyre package must still be measured. If wider wheels are planned, choose and assess the complete setup first so the flare width and dynamic clearance are not guessed.
Should the flares be painted before fitting?
Only after a successful dry fit and confirmation that the material is suitable for the intended paint system. Keep mounting, clip and adhesive surfaces free from incompatible coatings.
Product and fitment resources
- View the six-piece TANK 400 wheel-arch flare kit
- Browse GWM TANK 400 accessories
- Read the TANK 400 petrol vs Hi4-T accessory fitment guide
- Ask Decision Maker 4X4 a fitment question
Decision Maker 4X4 is an independent accessories retailer and is not affiliated with GWM Australia. This guide provides general fitment information, not engineering or legal approval. Rules and vehicle specifications can change; confirm the exact vehicle, product instructions and current state or territory requirements before modification. The hero image is an AI-generated editorial concept and does not depict the listed product, an official GWM workshop or an Australian-market TANK 400.
