Front bumper flap? Rubs on 265/75R16

I just pulled these off since they rubbed on my new tires ... but what in the world are they for??

 

Are those on all second gens? I don't remember ever noticing those before... I've always wondered what the purpose is of the mudflap things in the front.

 

I only found 1 other thread talking about it, and it seems like it's not on all 2nd gens. No clue what they're for or what they're called.

On the plus side, I can swap the tiny things to my rear and still technically have flaps back there...

 

They are not on my 08.

 

I believe they are for air flow. Kind of like the 3rd gen air dam.
Had sawzall something similar on my 2011.

 

I had them on my 2015 sport, but I Had to remove them due to rubbing as well. I honestly couldn't think of any purpose that they served.

 

They're for airflow. The OP's look to be bent back a bit. Mine rubbed so I grabbed them and pulled them forward and they haven't rubbed since.

 

so water don't splash in big puddles maybe

 

I took mine off with the rest of the flaps. running 265/75's also.

 

Ditto, 265/75's on a 2015 OR and had to remove them. When I backed up and turned they'd scrape.

 

My 2011 TRD OR doesn't have those. No rubbing issues at all with my 265/75/16's.

 

They're only on 2012+ second gens. I don't remember the exact year they started though, nor am I positive on their purpose. I want to say aerodynamics. I too had to remove them to stop rubbing.

 

Interesting that you had them and mine didn't.

 

Yeah I thought it was 2012+ until he said that.

 

They aren't the flap type thingys. They were more like a plastic cone/box thing. I hacked them off.

 

ahhh, I think I know what you're talking about

 

Mysteries of the Universe!

 

Airflow. Believe it or not it aides MPG. These look bent. I took mine off when I lifted and up-sized tires to 265-75-16. You can probably put them back on after about 15,000 miles of tread wear.

 

2013 here with 265-75-16 ST Maxx's, didn't have to remove mine. No rubbing both stock height and with a 2" lift.

I could be wrong but maybe it has something to do with the offset of the rim, looks like you have the TRD's on there. I've got the factory OR rims.

 

They are a reminder that you are no longer running stock tire size.