What the hell is the purpose of this

I recently upgraded to 265/70/17 general grabber AT2 tires and I see that the front tires are rubbing a little bit at full lock. It rubs to this front plastic shield mud flap looking thing. Does anyone know what that is and it's main purpose? Thanks and happy Thanksgiving to members!

 

It keeps the whole truck together

 

It's purpose is to be cut off and thrown away.

 

^^ this, cut it

 

Cut it off.

 

I think there are 2 or 3 screws holding them on. Just unscrew them. I think they're just to direct wind at speed. That's the only thing I could think of.

 

Makes the truck use less gas and enables it to go faster by blocking the wind effect on the tire.

 

Lol it was held by two 10mm bolt so I just took them off

 

It's a curiosity intensifier.

 

My friend said the same thing about the wind thing.. So yea I just unscrewed them. Thanks!

 

This too hahah

 

It actually servers 2 purposes

1. Mud flaps for when you go in Reverse.

2. When driving in wet conditions the water that is spun up into the wheel-well and this helps drain the water back on to the ground and not be caught in the body/frame were it could cause rusting

 

I think the specific term are "spats" Google that for a more discript definition. But they are there to reduce water from spraying above the hoodline when you hit a puddle at speed. Probably not necessary, but it helps the manufacture paper attorneys, in case someone says they hit a tree or car because they drove through a puddle and water splashing above the hood/ windshield blocked the view of the road or obstacle.

 

Foreskin, chop it off.

 

I thought spats were shoes.

 

Spats are like an over sock that covers the ankle and usually the top of your shoe or boot

 

You gain a half inch lift by taking them off...at least it looks that way lol

 

Here is a better definition http://ecomodder.com/wiki/index.php/Tire_spats

Seems to be more of a mpg enhancement than anything.

 

It is a HP gain mod. By removing one you gain 5hp. By removing both you gain 25hp. 5x5=25. It's science.

 

I always assumed they were designed to keep water and road shit out of the back of the foglights, they seem to deflect materials that would otherwise get flung into that crevice behind the bumper.