Is it bad to remove mud flaps?

My 2014 came with clear film on all lower panels from the front wheels back to the bumper. I THINK the sales guy said it was standard now.

 

I put Husky's on at 3.5" shorter. They do protect, but not as well as stock obviously. I still got spray about mid front door and on. I actually put on side steps to protect the paint. I will do a full eval in the spring to see if i want to look at different options.

Why does this truck seem so much more susceptible to road spray/rocks? I see trucks all the time without flaps and they seem fine, but not the Tacoma.

 

Stupid EOM's are to damn long! Two of mine broke! replaced all 4 with weathertech. It was like $79 for all 4.. takes 10 min to replace each one and they're shorter and fit like a glove.
But... you need to replace the plastic fasteners as well which are a ripoff at the dealership so i bought a box of 15 at clipsandfasteners.com for like $10.
Each flap requires 3 if i remember correctly.

It think these are the ones but check the replacement number.

http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Push_Type_Mudguard_Panel_Retainer_p/a21011.htm

 

you are correct. 3 for each mud flap. i picked up a box at Advance Auto for $8.00. you will need 5/16" diameter to work.

 

Here you go.

http://www.cb39.org/mud_flap_laws/illinois_mud_flap_law.html

 

The reasoning behind the states that have laws requiring mudflaps, is the increased risk of kicking up a rock into the windshield of the cars behind you. Personally I prefer to keep mine on as it helps protect the body and paint of my own truck, and it is just courteous to those behind you. The last thing I would want is someone behind me getting a rock in their windshield because I didn't have mud flaps. Especially if it freaked them out and they had an accident. It's just common courtesy.

 

Replace the OEM ones with Husky or Rally Armor

 

I keep mine on. The cab and bed sides get way too dirty without them, and that much more rock and salt grit gets on to those areas in the winter. Without them, your just making it easier for your sides to get scratched and chipped up.

Also, its semi-considerate for the folks behind you in the rain and snow storms. I'd say 99% of the hill billy truck drivers in my area with those rusted, jacked up and beat up looking GMs, Fords, and Rams, under the guise of for-offroading-purposes, purposefully drive around without any mud guards just to intentionally throw shit up behind them in inclement weather.

I agree though that they are way too low.

 

I agree completely. It pisses me off to no end to be behind someone without mud flaps and be back more than whats considered safe following distance and still hear rocks pinging off the front of my truck.

 

O.P. - You really only need to replace the hideously long front flaps for normal use, the stock rear flaps should be fine. You can get the front Husky flaps on Amazon for $40 with no tax and free shipping. Should solve the scraping problem as long as your not rock crawling or doing anything to crazy.

 

Trim 'em...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/362534-front-mud-flaps-need-advice.html

 

X2 last rock my windshield caught felt like I was shot at

 

Yup I have a nice crater on the right side of my new (well a year old now) windshield because of some douche in a lifted F-150 with mudders kicking up all sorts of rocks in a construction zone. He was one lane to my right but I saw the huge rock coming for me and yeah, POW! He didn't have mudflaps and due to the side angle trajectory maybe they woudn't have helped but I see far to many people that don't have any.

 

BamaToy1997 is right, my Tacoma took a nice hit dead center of the windshield from a Hummer with no mud flaps and over sized tires. Thanks for the 2" crack, to bad he didn't have commercial plates then he would have had pay for it. Dumb NJ laws.

 

I replaced the OEM with rubber flaps that worked great, but removed those when I got larger wheels and tires. People have opinions both ways.

 

I think that when reversing in deep snow they will just tear off. If I take mine off I will probably keep them around in case I have to put them back on.

 

The OEM's are really thin where they flex due to rubbing, snow etc.... They WILL damage yer paint when they crack and start flexing back ,... you won't know it either....


I was going to cut mine one day and found that they were already cracked and rubbing the paint.... they came off ASAP.. Husky's went on... the Husky's are about 3 times thicker at the "flex point" and stronger than OEM's... And shorter too...


I'm a Husky fan now... OEM is CRAP..

 

Take them off cut 3-4" off and put them back on problem solved Oh yeah sand the edge round and no one will ever know the difference.

 

just cut them on the truck

 

Throw them away... put on Huskys


Also....If you shorten the front ones, be prepared for paint damage on the door bottoms...that's why they were long....


I've got the OEM flat running boards and they protect the whole side....