I would think they would be illegal. I think some states have laws that restrict wheel width to a certain length beyond the wheel fender.....
New Mexico and Texas have no restrictions
on actual tire width where the fender
must cover the tire. There are thousands
of lifted 4x4 pickups on Texas roads
with huge tires, way past the fenders.
I have two lifted Jeeps, a CJ and a TJ.
They both have wide tires, but are covered
with fender extensions. If you run thru
water or mud with tires not covered, you’ll end up wearing what ever you
run thru.
Especially when you’ve got the doors off.
This is purely speculation, (although
what this guy did looks pretty stupid),
Texas has what are called farm to market
roads. Tractors and/or farm trucks are
laden down with all kinds of stuff that
protrudes past the confines of the
vehicle, so what this guy has done is
probably legal, or there is no law
that even mentions wheel widths.
I would bet the cops love to hassle
him though.