Mud Flaps, anyone regret not installing them?

[Srt4runner]

Just purchased a 2017 Limited in nautical blue and want to protect the paint. I just installed DeeZee running boards and now my Husky mud flaps won't fit without some modification. I either have to adjust the boards into the rear wheel well several inches to make clearance like this guy did in this thread.
or cut a few inches off the front of the boards. I'm not completely sold on adjusting them as it doesn't look the greatest.

My question is does anyone with higher miles wish they had installed the mud flaps early on or do the sides of the 5th gen 4runner hold up okay over time? I would like the sides of my doors to still have paint on them after 10+ years. I think the 4runner looks better without the mud flaps though.

After searching here, I found a thread where someone who had installed the OEM mud flaps said that they scuff up the paint around the fenders where they are mounted and therefore you are committed to keeping them on. The Husky flaps have a clear plastic that is installed under them to prevent this but I'm sure crap can still get in between and mess up the paint.

Your thoughts are appreciated :rockon:

 

[Sleeter]

I installed Rally Armor universal mud flaps. Used the factory mount locations.

http://www.rallyarmor.com/product_i...-logo-p-267?osCsid=2vtsk8c1gikcf570dkalg2cvl2

 

[drtyjerz47]

So is the toss up here between scuff paint under the flap or launch mud sand rock and dirt all over the rear bumper and side skirts?

Ask your self what's more important. If your using sliders for the purpose they are intended and not as a step then your clearly in some deep ...sh!+ and a boiler rubbing on your rig is going to be more important then some sand and mud.

But if there's a guy who's already put in the leg work and got a solution to run both IDK what the dilemma is

:doh:

 

[happypizza]

I installed Rally Armor universal mud flaps. Used the factory mount locations.

Universal Mud Flaps, Rally Armor

You have any pictures of them installed?

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[Jhalko]

Just purchased a 2017 Limited in nautical blue and want to protect the paint. I just installed DeeZee running boards and now my Husky mud flaps won't fit without some modification. I either have to adjust the boards into the rear wheel well several inches to make clearance like this guy did in this thread.
or cut a few inches off the front of the boards. I'm not completely sold on adjusting them as it doesn't look the greatest.

My question is does anyone with higher miles wish they had installed the mud flaps early on or do the sides of the 5th gen 4runner hold up okay over time? I would like the sides of my doors to still have paint on them after 10+ years. I think the 4runner looks better without the mud flaps though.

After searching here, I found a thread where someone who had installed the OEM mud flaps said that they scuff up the paint around the fenders where they are mounted and therefore you are committed to keeping them on. The Husky flaps have a clear plastic that is installed under them to prevent this but I'm sure crap can still get in between and mess up the paint.

Your thoughts are appreciated :rockon:

I did not have mud flaps from the factory, added them after two winters. There was noticeably less winter crud on the sides after install. The rears were damaged off-roading but I didn't fully take them off until I replaced my rear bumper. I would take the time to figure out how to keep the fronts given your stated goals.

Could probably just clear bra the lower parts of the sides as well though.

 

[Sleeter]

You have any pictures of them installed?

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[zcruiser]

I've always added flaps of some kind on the front, not always the rear.

 

[Rocket61]

I was running my 07 without flaps and yea it looked better but my rear bumper got beat up pretty bad since I drive a lot of gravel. I had it replaced by a body shop after a fender bender and put gatorback flaps on - looked good and protected the new bumper/paint. Didn't put anything on the front because my running boards provided adequate protection. Overall wouldn't go without rears again, will probably put gatorbacks on my 17 when I get tired of the stock look.

 

[TrdinOhio]

You could get rubber mud flaps. Less likely to get ripped off when off-road and still provide protection for your fenders/rockers from rocks and debris

 

[rochmpr]

Avoid the mud, no need for flaps. Now tree flaps, wish I had that last summer.

 

[Sleeter]

Here is a better picture of the front mud flaps. My stock ones got destroyed off-roading.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[zcruiser]

I installed Rally Armor universal mud flaps. Used the factory mount locations.



Universal Mud Flaps, Rally Armor

Hard to beat a set of 4 mud flaps for under $20. I can even get them with blue printing to match my Shoreline!

 

["krax"]

The Rally Armor flaps are soft, right? That might be a good compromise for mine. I took the plastic flaps off after a rear one grabbed the ground and pulled my bumper cover off.

 

[zcruiser]

The Rally Armor flaps are soft, right? That might be a good compromise for mine. I took the plastic flaps off after a rear one grabbed the ground and pulled my bumper cover off.

The Universal Basic are the lightest ones, but they make heavier ones also.

 

[catrains]

The Universal Basic are the lightest ones, but they make heavier ones also.

I purchased the fiberglass re-enforced about 5/16inch thick mud guards for the front. reason is the stock ones are 1.5inches too short. also these are about 1 inch wider than toyota ..

made a pattern to properly drill holes in the new mud guard used all the OEM fasteners . then used some sealer so no crap gets behind the guards works really good not much slop on the running boards. cost $25usd..


THESE WILL NOT BREAK ! Toyota toy plastic .

 

[Sleeter]

The Rally Armor flaps are soft, right? That might be a good compromise for mine. I took the plastic flaps off after a rear one grabbed the ground and pulled my bumper cover off.

Yes, I like them because they take a beating on the trail and bounce right back to shape.

 

[Jetboy]

I would use some type of mud flap. If the OEM ones rubbing bothers you but otherwise you'd like to keep them - you can just buy a small roll of clearbra and cut to fit. I keep small patches in my normal tool bag for all sorts of use - like where a tie down strap rubs or where a roof item sits. Should work just as well to put a thin strip where the OEM flap would rub and then put them back on.

 

[themuffinman619]

I installed Rally Armor universal mud flaps. Used the factory mount locations.

Universal Mud Flaps, Rally Armor

Those look great. Did you go with the basic or urethane?

 

[TBBrewer]

Mud flaps

Our '16 4R Trail came with factory installed mud flaps, running boards, and Goodyear Duratracs. Those tires do seem to throw up a lot of muck this winter and I'm happy that the mud flaps are doing a good job at keeping the running boards, and the truck, reasonably clean. - Ted.

 

[wfo9]

Our '16 4R Trail came with factory installed mud flaps, running boards, and Goodyear Duratracs. Those tires do seem to throw up a lot of muck this winter and I'm happy that the mud flaps are doing a good job at keeping the running boards, and the truck, reasonably clean. - Ted.

So they put on Duratracs from the factory now? If so, that is pretty awesome.