Steps and mud flap removal

i have a 16 sport and am thinking about removing my steps and mud flaps. I have 265/70/17 Michelin defenders and think it might look better and i wouldn’t hit my shins on them anymore. Has anyone done this? Pics

 

You will be the first.

 

Just a few bolts holding everything on..take one side off and see if you like it. 99% of people remove the steps. Others add new thinner, flexible mud flaps.

 

OP, I think we are driving twins. My 16 never had steps or mud flaps. Never needed them or wanted them. How do you like the Michelin Defenders? I am looking at Michelin for my next tires since most of my driving is on pavement.

 

I'm not crazy about the step tubes on my Sport, but they do protect my truck from the 50 year old lardass in his pajamas from throwing the door of his mom's 78 LTD into my paint at Walmart. I'll leave em on.

 

Not specific to 3rd gens, but my mud flaps broke off after 3 years of ownership. I never missed them. I've been driving trucks for over 40 years and my 07 Tacoma is the only vehicle I've ever owned that had them. No one else on the road had them either and I've never had a problem. If mud and rocks are being picked up it is because the wheels are too wide for the fenders and fender flares are needed, mud flaps only help on big trucks with no fenders.

The steps, might be different. You certainly don't need them to get into a stock Tacoma. With 37" tires and a 6" lift maybe. But depending on the design they offer some protection for the bottom of the door panels when driving off road. Those that are designed correctly don't hang down enough to get in the way.

 

Thanks for the pic, the defenders are wonderful road noise down to a minimum and when driving in the rain you don’t feel like you have to slow down at all.

 

When you remove your mudflaps you will probably find that they have worn away a line of paint under their edge. Also side steps and mudflaps actually do provide rock chip protection. I have to drive on eight miles of gravel road daily...almost no chips. I have always used this combination on my trucks and it does work. However I have always used stock sized tires.

 

So I did it, removed my air dam, mud flaps and steps. It looks like i lifted it one and half inches. The good thing about it, that it was easy and if change my mind i can put them right back on.

 

I like the look/functionality of the steps, but I removed them. Can't tell you how many times I destroyed my shins/heels on them.

They helped with deflecting rocks and protecting the sides from idiots at Walmart, but I'm giving it a go without them.

 

I kicked them two or three times hard. You know the kind that brings water to your eyes. I am taking a chance with the door dings especially in my own garage. My wife parks close to me. I told her tonight to be careful but if she did hit it, it would be my fault.