Stupid Stupid Mud Flaps

[Muddskipper]

For the second time one of my front Mud flaps has broken off.

Each time they break, they rub against a tire, and while driving you think the wheel is about to FALL off.....

YES, I have considered taking them off, but I drive down to many gravel roads and I don’t want the extra paint chips that come along with that.

The 1st time, I was able to get the dealer to replace it, but OF COURSE, I just hit my 37K mile mark and it’s not under warranty......

This is a frecking TACOMA....where in the commercials they can survive a meteor hit and an attack from the LOC NES.......You would think my mud flaps should be able to survive everyday driving.

QUESTIONS-

Is there an aftermarket solution?

Or

Any other options....

[Mandy3206]

There are plenty of aftermarket solutions out there, just get to advance auto and pick one of the universal sets there, I like the aluminum diamond thread ones, but that's me, maybe pepboys or auto zone have diferent models.

I hate mines, but I bought 10 extra clips and 10 extra screws for the fricking things since I allready have ripped 3 of mines, the only virgin one is the one on the front drivers side, now when one rips out, I'll just put it back in on the spot while swearing the hell out.

I may opt to shave them and make them less prone to rip off, mine got ripped off allways while backing up into a curb, they just catch between the tire and the curb and rip there they go.

Maybe in the future, I just get rid of them all and put nothing.

Another posibility I'm exploring, is installing the heavy vinyl protector for the rocker pannel area and eliminate the mudflaps, these vinyl protectors are like a 4" or 6" band that sticks to the lower side of the vehicle and comes in clear or with diferent designs (I like the diamond thread design or the clear ones)

Another posibility is a thin metal panel that sticks to the lower part of the vehicle to protect from rock chips, they come precut to fit a specific vehicle model and they come in polished or brushed finish, can't remember where I saw them, but the link must be buried in my favorites.

[physedfailure]

took 4 inches off the front ones...falps look normal now

[this_is_nascar]

They look awesome. You up for doin' mine?

[el_smurfo]

The OEM running boards seem to keep the chips off mine.

[physedfailure]

Nascar. It real easy. Took them both off and used the bottom of one to trace onto the other just 4" from the bottom and vis versa for the other one. Took about 10 mins. Cut with regular scissors and sanded the edges to give it a smooth look

[Jamco6000]

i think i've seen like smaller hard plastic ones. does anyone know where we can find these?

[MexisTaco]

husky liners makes a sweet mudflap you can get them for 60 bucks for front and rears..

http://www.huskyliners.com/mudguards.html

We sell these at our shop all the time... I personally dont like them so I took mine off the 1st day I had the truck and got 170 bucks outta them on ebay!

[mjonags32]

aftermarket

[Muddskipper]

Originally Posted by mjonags32

aftermarket

Yiks.......

I think after the neighbor-hood kids beat me up.....my friends will do the same...LOL

[this_is_nascar]

Thanks. I'll have to put that on my list of things to do.

[obwanconobe]

got tired of the front ripping so I took them off and just left the rear. I think it looks ok but the place where they mount looked bad with the holes showing. It just looked like a place that should be covered. So I took a utilty knife and cut the section out that mounts in the wheel well and the part that fits over the inside of the fender (faces the tire).the outside edge is flush with the fender and now it doestn't look like something is missing.

[FriscoTaco]

Obi Wan, could you post a picture of how you did this?

[LanNinja]

With some great help from Fluxaholic and his dremmel tools, we cut 4" off the front mud flaps. I also decided to cut the rear flaps too. We took 2.25" from the rear. 4" in the rear would be too much. 2" would be fine as well. The cuts turned out great. I think the truck looks better now. Muddskipper, go for it.

Please excuse my dirty truck....

[nick09]

i took mine off, they look like shit imo