Rock chips from no mud flaps?

New Jersey Burbs and Chicago Burbs, all 4 trucks had hardly if any chips and no flaps.

When I was in AZ, I had 3 trucks, 2 with flaps, 1 without, all of them chipped, even with the oem flaps.

Where you drive definitely has an impact. Same goes for the windshield / front end. My AZ trucks looked like a teen with acne after a few months.

 

Yes they are there for a reason.

 

I hate mud flaps on these trucks, so I took mine off.
I drive about 2 miles of gravel road 5 days a week and no chips.

 

Chips lead to rust...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Husky-Line...-Flaps-Pair-17048/303368267018?epid=231359010

 

Went with the Weather Tech hard flaps. I live in a heavy winter salt territory. Installation time 30 minutes. 4 screws, no spacers. I'm really impressed with the fit. Plenty of clearance for my normal use.

 

I added them to my truck in January. Current job site is only accessed via dirt road that gets wicked muddy in the rain. The sides of the truck are noticeably cleaner now, I'll take it to a DIY car wash or break out the high pressure nozzle when the wheel wells get dirty.

 

I added Rek Gens to my TRDOR too. Very happy with them. Good protection and flexible enough for lighter off roading. They also look better imo (compared to the stock ones).

 

RokBlokz for me. No complaints here

 

@TacoBuffet just had the Front of my truck covered in Paint Protection Film. That doesn’t include beyond the rear view mirrors.

I live in NJ by the shore, you said wo flaps there was no real concern w chips?
As I talked to you about previously I plan on putting on 16x8 wheels w just under 32in tires 265/75/16 cooper AT3

 

Yep, unless you're tearing up gravel roads no issues the 6 years I was stationed in NJ, ran no flaps on my 11, 15, 16 and 17 there, did some wheeling in pine barrens to get to riding spots. I did do PPF in AZ for obvious reasons, funny thing though I had PPF on the front and had him do up the rocker panels and still got a few chips with flaps stock setup. Rocks are gonna go where they want, unless you put it in bubble wrap or wrap the whole thing, its gonna get dinged, chipped, etc. Used to drive me insane, have no learned that's its just a truck, do the best I can but its never gonna be flawless as a DD.

 

@TacoBuffet yea i didn’t even think to do the rocker panel. The ppf is so dam expensive, just got whole front done.

I like the look wo the flaps, based on your experience I’ll have to make a decision. I have stock oem running boards on it. I may take off the flaps and keep the boards. See how that looks maybe.

 

Honestly the boards will probably offer more protection than the guards and I agree I'm a no mudflap guy. Yep, set me back $1800 to do Cermic Pro Silver Package and XPEL PPF on the front and the custom rocker panels. I went up to where the orange peel texture paint/lower door panel, and still would get a random rock chip somewhere, hazard of living in AZ. But ya in NJ no PPF or mudflaps and did much better.

 

@TacoBuffet cool, definitely good to know, makes me feel a little better about trying that setup. Yea it cost me 1800 to do the entire front back to the rear views, but after seeing the beating the front of my first gen has taken since 04’ I had to get the ppf on this. Currently truck has the tube step stock running boards on it.

 

Seems you got a lot of feedback already. But I say get the flaps. They are cheaper than fixing rust. (I live in Michigan.) I have 15k on my 2019 and it has a few rock chip on the rocker panels. I order the cheap ones off Amazon. Easy install.

 

@TacoBuffet ok I officially have a problem. Degenerate gambling type Lolo. I can’t stop! I called the shop. They want another $400 to do the rocker panels on both sides. Charging me I’m guessing a lil over 100 in labor. I think I’m gonna do it for piece of mind. It’s been 16yrs since I’ve had a new truck.

also getting a dam leveling kit. I needs it lol. You mentioned one last time. What would I need? bilstein leveling kit?

I been scouring posts. I don’t want to effect the truck at all mechanically/performance wise much at all. I don’t want to put stress on any parts at All. How much could I safely lift it to accomplish this and could I only do the front? Thanks!

 

Lol, dude, from one guy to another who loves his truck. You gotta hide your wallet now, take a deep breath and remember its a vehicle. It will decrease in value, it will rust, it will be exposed to the elements before you have a small stroke the first time some scratches it or hits it or end up broke trying to make it and keep it perfect. But I get it.

On a personal note I'll never do PPF again, despite what they say and even with the newer films it will start to show somewhat, it wont protect everything and its money lost if someone hits you, totals it, etc. and most people don't care come trade in / resale time.

As far as just leveling you rig out are you talking 3 and 1 (3 inches in front 1 in the back) or just leveling the front to the current height of the back? If a) lots and lots and lots of options, though I would suggest 6112s or 5100s for the front, an AAL in the rear with 5160s or 5100s, unless your doing some serious mall crawling then thats a whole other discussion or b) just 5100s up in the front stock coils

 

@TacoBuffet thanks man. Your opinions and info have been a huge help.

very little off roading and when I do it’s Light. I’m in NJ so it’s pine barren BS and beaches a couple times a year. So In that instance for the look of the truck I could safely do the 5100s up in the front w stock coils?
I got 16x8 wheels coming and was gonna toss on the AT3s 265/75/16. I don’t want the tires to look like midgets. I know I can clear them w stock suspension. Just trying to lift the truck some for a better appearance but I don’t want to completely cheapen out and sacrifice mechanical integrity or performance.

 

Yes sir, I ran that setup in NJ as well on my 08. No issues at all. Happy to help!

 

@TacoBuffet cool. How many inches on that set up up front wo stressing the truck. 1.75? Not sure how it correlates to the difference in the rear.

 

should be first clip or .85 to level, anything else will be nose high and then you'll have to adjust the rear