Toyota ignores the MUD FLAPS issue, CALL them.

^I agree. Why would we need enthusiasts forums if everyone were happy with their vehicle in it's OEM state?

 

How often do we actually talk trucks on here?

OK, I'm going back to trailer research now... Carry on.

 

My Tacoma front mud flaps tore (BOTH OF THEM) off after driving back from our ranch after a weekend of hunting (Truck had 35K miles) .They filled up with sticky mud (after a rainy weekend) and while driving on the highway they began to flex back and forth and tore. They were replaced under warranty by the dealer the following week after I returned home which was only a 2.5 hr drive from the ranch. One of the hunters who we lease the land to, also has a 2005 tacoma (extended cab 4x4). He told me that his tore off at 30K miles. He went to the dealer and they said they would replace his for free. He asked if they have a better flap, that was more resilient to tearing, and they said no. His response was why would I put these crappy flaps back on so they can rip again...
Last week, my front driver side tore off AGAIN (this time with no mud involved). Toyota has to address this issue with their mud flap supplier to ensure they are not allowing crappy parts to go onto their vehicles. Thanks mvega1969 for your input. I am calling Toyota to open a formal compliant.
Toyota invented Lean Mfg, and under Lean Mfg they expect their suppliers to provide them with QUALITY parts all the time. I SERIOUSLY doubt that this would take away time from Eng which they could have used to perform work on designing better off-road capabilities for this truck. That is a rediculous statement. I would rather cut diamond plate and build my own flap before I put these crappy flaps back onto my truck. Toyota has over 50 billion dollars in the bank. They are more profitable than GM, FORD, Crysler, (and on some day VM) COMBINED. They can afford to demand that their mud flap supplier use a stronger compound, or re-design the flap to prevent tears.

 

well, i can see that the mud flaps are long, since i've ripped mine off while wheelin, but if its that big of a deal i think they should just be removed from the truck. if you put on a tougher mud flap, then the mounting points are just gonna become the weak point so thats not really a solution either in my oppinion.

 

Just called 18003314331 to file a compliant about the flaps. case # 200804020975
If more people would take 5 mins to call and request a case number Toyota would would see this as an issue and get this fixed. Should be an easy supplier fix.

if you put on a tougher mud flap, then the mounting points are just gonna become the weak point so thats not really a solution either in my oppinion...

Good Point Xtreme450. Depending on the type of driving that is being done, flap material could cause more harm than good. This truck is 99% of the time a street truck, and when I go hunting its just down a dirt road with no major bump/holes.. I do not go off road, so a stiffer flap would work for me, while a more flexable flap would be better for someone going off road. (Just thinking outloud)

 

You could remove them and then install full-length runningboards-the front end of which acts as a mudflap

 

They don't need to be stronger. They need to be able to flex without shattering or ripping out the mounting screws (like mine did). There really is no point in putting them on if they just break off this easily. Either sell the trucks without them, or come up with something better. (ie. ONE piece, not 2 glued together)

 

At least there are two reports for this issue: mine is 200803050321. And there is a lot of solutions but the only one that might work in the long run is let Toyota know about it, in the meantime instead of paying $60.00-$80.00 per each (new) to replace them we will need to take the truck to the dealer and have them free all of the time prior to the warranty period expiration.

Good for all yaroshc!
Thanks,

 

I knew mine were gonna rip off eventually so I took them off the very first day I had the truck. Sold em' for $132.50 on Ebay. They were the 4x4 branded ones. He's happy, I am happy. I bought a ScanGauge with the money, figured I would get more/longer use out of it than the flaps that were eventually going to break off.

 

I posted a flap modification on the DIY thread a while back. Easy, quick and most importantly solves the problem. Beats messing with the stealerships!

 

It won't really solve the problem.
I have an '05, which has shorter mud flaps. The front right one broke off right along the fender line. This is from on road use during the winter.
The material they are made from is too brittle.

 

I agree the mudflaps are not designed for off-roading. Unfortunately, there are alot of things about these trucks that could be designed better for off-roading. But it ain't gonna happen.

 

man. i sure am glad i was just entertaining the idea of trading my 04 in for a 2nd gen.

after reading all the threads regarding big and small things 2nd gen owners dont like with their trucks im starting to think i should just wait till the next big style change comes around so toyota can work out and fix all these quirks there seem to be but with new gens there will jsut be more new problems...

till then...

i love my first gen!!

edit - damn i didnt know this post was so old. my bad.

 

I need to pull my mud flaps off. They hit stuff everyday. Toyota doesn't think about brushy country either. How do the plastic rivets come out?

 

so reading a thread about long mudflaps has convinced you to keep your 1gen?

lol

 

not at all. this was just the last thread i read when i decided to post.

"lol".

 

Did you ever stop and think why you keep seeing threads about issues and ever consider that MAYBE people like me who are 100% happy with their Tacoma don't bother to start threads titled "I love my truck"?

 

The head pulls back and then the entire pin will come out.

 

Thanks. I was scared I was going to have to drill.

 

im so pulling mine off today and placing them for sale!!