Mud Guards: Concern about future damage to mounting holes on truck

I just received my OEM mud guards, but have not installed them yet. I’m fairly certain that at some point at least one of them will get ripped off due to off-roading, driving over a curb, or running over the neighbor kid’s bike. (I’d take them off beforehand if possible, but not something I want to do over and over.) I’m not too worried about breaking or loosing a mud guard, but I am concerned about damaging the mounting holes on the truck itself if a guard slam down on a rock or curb. Is this a legit concern, or will the mud guards break off before any damage is done to the truck’s mounting holes themselves?

I’m looking at the Rokblokz mud flaps as an alternative, but the $150 price tag is pretty steep.

Any thoughts. Or ideas?

(Currently stock wheels/tires, but plan to upgrade to slightly larger tires at some point.)

 

I was careful putting my OEM mud guards on the truck. I noticed 2 of the bolts never really snugged down, just turned in the holes. Must be cheap plastic connectors that the bolts screw into. I just left them in and if they fall out they fall out. They are on the front driver and passenger wheel wells.

Thought about putting some plumbers tape on the bolt threads and putting them back in.

 

Absolutely love my Rokblokz, they keep everything off the paint and it's amazing. I'm running 265 75 16 tires with 1.25" spidertrax wheel spacers and still nothing gets on the paint! Here are a few pics of my truck and I did a write up on the rokblokz you can find here!!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-toyota-tacoma-rokblokz-mud-flaps-picture-heavy.403671/

 

Excellent @moe2o4! Thanks for the info (and link to your write-up). How do you suppose the Rokblokz, or the truck’s mounting holes would hold up if slammed down on a rock or curb?

I’ll probably end up selling my set of unused OEM mud guards.

 

They would be fine, they flex and wouldn't break like the oem ones!!! You won't have a problem. Anytime Adam!

 

Well Corey looks like you got some snow finally. Our 3" snow melted off yesterday and today.

 

Ya truck went great, it's a little 5 speed 4 banger!!!! Went great in a foot!!!

 

We got like 8 inches where I'm at, that picture was in Greensburg pa about a hour from my place they got like a foot! But it's all like melted already lol

 

I have the rokblokz on mine too. They are speedy but I've been very happy with them. They do a great job and are flexible without being too flexible and just flapping in the wind at speed.

 

I avoided the OEM stiff plastic Mud Guards for that reason and I went with plasticolor "floppy" rubber flaps over the RokBlokz. Many others also went with the Plasticolor and all have had positive reviews to my knowledge...links to that thread below. I wanted something that looks and fits more like a Factory Original flap from the 1st Gens. The RokBlokz were too wide and look ugly IMO. Plus I hate the energy drink looking Logo on the RokBloks..that was a huge turnoff for me personally. If they sold blank flaps I'd have given them more consideration, but again I don't want something that hangs out that far, it isn't needed unless you run wider tires. The Rokblokz might look OK if you are going to run wider tires. However The Plasticolors were way cheaper ($13.99) and use the OEM screws, no drilling into the truck and no new hardware required.

Check this thread starting here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/no-mud-flaps.395137/page-10#post-11301607

here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/no-mud-flaps.395137/page-11#post-11308056

Pics showing what they look like on rear and in the mud showing that they function quite well!

 

Man, they look good. Where did you get them? I can't find the 4x4 flaps. Thanks.

 

Google "plasticolor 4wd" or try Google Search "plasticolor 4x4", then click on Shopping Tab on the top of google screen and it will show vendors that will have them. I did it just now and found what looked like 3 vendors selling them. Here is one: http://www.motorheadautoparts.com/i...2nqyFEaMU_AW7rS4fI6Od-Fvp4hb7b_QUtxoCryrw_wcB

 

I just got an email from the Toyota dealership where I ordered the OEM mud flaps. Sorry, but no help. So, my advice is, DO NOT BUY THESE! If you feel the need to spend the money, flush it down the toilet. Same results, minus shipping!

 

Just an FYI, the Weathertech mudflaps are the same as the OEM. They won't last long in the Northeast. Mine didn't. Don't waste your money.

 

i know this is an old thread, but the link doesn't seem to work and i was wanting to get a set. @smitty99 can you update?

 

My front right flap decided to uninstall itsself on a rock last year. Tore the screws out of the inner fender instead of damaging the flaps. Kinda sucks but its a sign i needed to take em off

 

I pulled my (regular sized) Rokblokz air brake paddles off over a week ago. Went plasticolor and gained nearly 1mpg on my regular commute even with reduced tire pressure for the summer heat.

The rokblokz work, but not since one of the mounting screws vibrated itself loose after a trip scraping on some small pebbles and the horrible sound they make when those plastic plates scrape on things.

 

Honestly I just google it because availability changes all of the time. Google Shopping tab or Shopping Function works too. This ensures you get a good recent price too.

Put your Google-Fu to work!

 

Thanks! I just saw the other threads you linked that detailed which ones you got

 

OEM,WEATHERTECH,HUSKY are all hard plastic.