Do you have mudguards?

[wasabi21]

I am contemplating adding mudguards to my '11 Ltd HL. The main reason in doing so is to cut down on the amount of dirt that collects on the rear door and glass. The only reason not to add the mudguards is asthetics. Can anyone post up some before and after pics of a 2011? And does/will the addition of mud guards noticeably lessen the amount of road grime on the liftgate?

[eyeball96]

I can't speak for a Highlander, but I recently added Mudguards to the wifes DD and Yes, it does seem to decrease, the amount of grime on the rear hatch and window. Not much but some.

[to_fire]

it's not the mud guards that are the problem, it's the rear spoiler. The position of the spoiler causes a low pressure zone right against the rear window, so any road dust/spray gets sucked right onto the window and back-up cam.

[Jim Griffin]

I have mud guards on my 08 HL which help to reduce the mud that would cover the sides and rear of the SUV. But these guards can only do so much. Every little bit helps though.

I find that mud guards do best in light rain when you are driving at moderate speeds. In heavy rain at high speed nothing will really protect the sides and rear from overspray.

[Yuko]

Don't all vehicles create a low pressure zone behind while moving? The spoilers just help create more. I notice the family’s Quest, Pathfinder, Versa, and both Camry collects dirt and dust on the back. And so do most other cars on the road with and without a spoiler on the liftgate.

These mudguards do help a bit but as Jim said, they can do so much. I still get dirt and mud on the side. On the other hand, my father's vehicle which doesn't have mudguard is covered with tar, paint, grime, ect. I notice on the inside of my mudguards that there's tar, gum, and crap on it. Better there than on the paint. I also heard that they help with rock chips. It helps stops many rocks from kicking up directly into the painted body. Any rocks that got pass the guards will have to travel farther and doesn’t have enough energy to do great damage.

BTW, I think mudguards add that one extra finish to the car but everyone have their own taste.

I need to wash it

[sweeneyp]

Originally Posted by to_fire

it's not the mud guards that are the problem, it's the rear spoiler. The position of the spoiler causes a low pressure zone right against the rear window, so any road dust/spray gets sucked right onto the window and back-up cam.

I COMPLETELY agree, I have mudguards on mine and it helps for things being kicked up hitting the area behind the tires, but the back tailgate gets extremely dirty from the spoiler causing everything to be sucked into it...The front and sides of the highlander will be clean and the back will be dirty ... Mud flaps won't help with that. Main reason I got them was to block gunk and rocks from kicking up from the tires and hitting behind the wheels...

[summerwind]

A lot of us but color matched ones from TRD

TRD color matched Splash Guards

[Thunderchief]

After the dealer said no dice on a dealer option for mudflaps, forum member Vsansal sent me a PM after I contated him about his mudflaps in pic thread. I hooked up with a dealer in Grapevine TX to get my color match flaps.

[summerwind]

Originally Posted by Thunderchief

After the dealer said no dice on a dealer option for mudflaps, forum member Vsansal sent me a PM after I contated him about his mudflaps in pic thread. I hooked up with a dealer in Grapevine TX to get my color match flaps.

I wish all Toyota's districts would have access to the same accessories
The color matched splash guards are unique to the southern district (like Texas) Hence the rest of us have to find a online dealer such as TRD (Toyota of Dallas) to buy them from.

The Bumper Protector (PN 00016-48005) is unique to the eastern district and the rest of us have to find a online dealer such as Sparks in South Carolina. ( http://www.trdsparks.com/part_detail...um=00016-48005 ). This is a real bumper protector not the one cast into the bumper cover.

[Thunderchief]

I like the bumper guard, it has full coverage. Just had someone take out a suitcase an clip the white paint on bumper edge. It is so small that you need a microscope to see it but I know it's there. That guard would have prevented it.

[TOYOPARTSMAN]

I agree with you about the districts. Texas dealers fall under one of the last two independent Distributorships. I like the color keyed Mudguards myself. On my 04 Camry, I had someone paint mine because they didn't offer them in my color, only black. The other Independent Distributorship is in the Southeast. Southeast Toyota Distributors who service 5 states, FL, GA, AL, SC, and NC. I happen to be a Dealer in Southeast Toyota's region like Sparks. I am also a supporting vendor here on TN.

I also sell to TN members at 30% off MSRP and I only charge actual shipping costs plus $2.00 for materials, etc.

Originally Posted by summerwind

I wish all Toyota's districts would have access to the same accessories
The color matched splash guards are unique to the southern district (like Texas) Hence the rest of us have to find a online dealer such as TRD (Toyota of Dallas) to buy them from.

The Bumper Protector (PN 00016-48005) is unique to the eastern district and the rest of us have to find a online dealer such as Sparks in South Carolina. ( http://www.trdsparks.com/part_detail...um=00016-48005 ). This is a real bumper protector not the one cast into the bumper cover.

[summerwind]

I would highly recommend the bumper guard.
I have two dogs that jump in the back and it helps keep there claws from scratching the factory bumper.

Its an easy install. clean surface, peel off the paper of the tape. stick it on

[peterk9]

Originally Posted by wasabi21

I am contemplating adding mudguards to my '11 Ltd HL. The main reason in doing so is to cut down on the amount of dirt that collects on the rear door and glass. The only reason not to add the mudguards is asthetics. Can anyone post up some before and after pics of a 2011? And does/will the addition of mud guards noticeably lessen the amount of road grime on the liftgate?

Splash guards come standard on all Canadian HL. Having said that, I wouldn't be without them. Keeps the sides of the vehicle somewhat cleaner. I posted a while ago that I've ordered a 2011 Ford Explorer and they don't come with splash guards so I had the salesman write them into the contract to be provided without charge.
to the Forum, it is a very informative site.

Peter

[Thunderchief]

Not much issues with snow and road sand/salt where I live. My motive was the car looked like it was missing something. I thought either running boards, side step or mud flaps. Just seemed naked to me. It does help though with road spray on wet surface, cuts down anyway on the amount of dirt projecting at the doors.

[rcash]

I installed mud guards on my 2011 HL Limited back in Nov. I believe they make a difference with dirt and debris on the sides but have virtually no effect on the rear. I left mine black because the 2011 HL is black trimmed on the lower portion of the vehicle. I thought it looked better to leave them black to match the lower panels of the car. I do think that the color keyed look much better on models prior to 2011.

I also installed the Toyota black running boards which help a bit with helping to keep the sides a little cleaner. They also help me to reach far enough across the windshield to clean it. Withiout the running boards, at 5' 8" I'm too short to clean the windshield all the way w/o standing on something!

I just received the rear bumper guard from Sparks Toyota today. It is just a simple cover with adhesive strips but covers the bumper much better than the factory guard. It certainly protects the bumper better!