Faux mud flap in front of the rear tires
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Antman
Elite Member
Ha! I asked the same thing a while ago. Most people thought it was some sort of an aerodynamic aid. I still think it was a mudflap type thingy. I say was, because mine is in a landfill somewhere. No, I didn't notice and difference in any way. It looks stupid on there. Gotta take it off!:boink:
1engineer
Moderator
Normally I agree with you and sorta do on this subject with one caveat: No manufacturer ever puts something on a vehicle with no form or function value. Since this is not a form item it must have some function - at least to the vehicle dynamics engineers. The only thing I can see it doing is breaking the airflow and causing turbulance before the wind hits the rear tires. So, maybe not a mudflap but a wind break. OEM's spend millions of dollars to save a few pennies per vehicle.
1engineer
Moderator
Thanks...except I don't really know how effective they are. I do know however they would never spend the money on them if they were not functional. They are also on my wife's Honda CR-V and many other vehicles. You and I might not see any real world difference but somebody did during inital testing and made a great business case for them as we see they are installed!:thumb3:
kingpin748
New member
I lost at least 1-2mpg and my truck definitely leans more in corners now after I removed those.
I am just throwing this outthere, on all the cars/trucks that were, or are seen with this item attached, are they ALL imports that are actually shipped (by boat)? Could these things be a part of the shipping process and just never taken off at the port or? Again, just throwing it out there.
scanny
Senior Member
This thing is there definetely for better aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. Fuel efficiency became a big deal for most of the people and automakers fight hard for better numbers so vehicles look competitive on the market. Those small things as well as lighter highway tires, no crossbars etc allows manufacturer to claim good gas mileage. As we start replacing tires, put in lifts, custom racks, ARB bumpers, remove air dams and those piece of plastic at rear wheels we make our trucks better suit our needs we can forget about advertised fuel economy. I guess most of us don't mind to loose few mpg, but for Toyota even 1 mpg might mean that a vehicle will get less starts in the reviews and falling back in the ratings. At least that's how I see it.
1engineer
Moderator
I spoke to an engineer friend of mine this morning who is in the vehicle design world and asked him about these little flaps and other aerodynamic aids. Even though our vehicle is like a "brick" there are many things designers use to reduce drag. We all think of our 4 Runner's front end as being the only component that causes drag but the tires also create a significant amount of drag. There is a separation of airflow behind the tires which causes additional drag. A way to reduce this drag is to use a plate or flap designed to divert the air around the tire, thereby, limiting the amount of flow separation behind the tire and reducing drag. Also, many vehicles made in USA uses these flaps. A Chevy Traverse was in my driveway last Saturday and also had these little flaps.
On aerodynamics - Has anyone besides me noticed the amount of bug strikes we get on the SIDES of our 4Runners? I was washing mine the other night and noticed this, especially on the side front windows and behind the headlight housing on the front fender. Also on the sides of the stock roof rack. Just wondering if anyone else has noticed.
On aerodynamics - Has anyone besides me noticed the amount of bug strikes we get on the SIDES of our 4Runners? I was washing mine the other night and noticed this, especially on the side front windows and behind the headlight housing on the front fender. Also on the sides of the stock roof rack. Just wondering if anyone else has noticed.
dekeman
New member
Correct, that's precisely what they're for. Take a peek under a Porsche, Audi or MB, you will see same thing.
I could not figure out what ya'all were talking about so I grabbed this photo from the picture gallery, it is of jt 4rnr's rig. Do not know if it is a 2010 or 2011. But it clearly shows the plastic piece everyone is talking about. I then went out to my 2010 SR5, no such piece there. Mine never had one.
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1engineer
Moderator
Running boards will accomplish the same task as the flap.
harper7
Senior Member
I'm not sure what those things are but the Toyota manual calls it a "Moulding Protector". The question is ....protects it from what??rocks,water,mud ,snow/ice:shrug:
I've read in other forums in the past that it a wind spoiler,splash guard and that it stops snow/ice build up.Some vehicles have them in front of the front wheels,some in back and some have them both??
All I know is I've lost 3-4mpg since I took mine off..........of course a couple of other mods might have contributed.:dammit:
Here's out of the factory repair manuals.:rtfm:
But of course it's debateable that the peeps that wrote the manual might not have known what it's true purpose is either.
Limited/SR5
Trail Edition
4. REMOVE NO. 2 ROCKER PANEL MOULDING PROTECTOR
(a) Remove the 2 screws and No. 2 rocker panel moulding protector.
I've read in other forums in the past that it a wind spoiler,splash guard and that it stops snow/ice build up.Some vehicles have them in front of the front wheels,some in back and some have them both??
All I know is I've lost 3-4mpg since I took mine off..........of course a couple of other mods might have contributed.:dammit:
Here's out of the factory repair manuals.:rtfm:
But of course it's debateable that the peeps that wrote the manual might not have known what it's true purpose is either.
Limited/SR5
Trail Edition
4. REMOVE NO. 2 ROCKER PANEL MOULDING PROTECTOR
(a) Remove the 2 screws and No. 2 rocker panel moulding protector.
kingpin748
New member
I had those on mine and its a LE.
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