Is it bad to remove mud flaps?

My opinion:

If you buy the truck new, take them off before it leaves the lot and replace them with aftermarket

If you bought the truck used or you didn't take the flaps off immediately after purchase, trim them, replace with aftermarket, or get new flares because the damage to the stock flares has likely already been done by the stock flaps.

 

My problem is removing my front flaps, those plugs are a pain in my ass, is there a trick to getting them out? I thought a flathead would pop the center out and it would come off easily, after I busted 2 off I gave up. What I'd like is to leave them off for the summer and put them back on in the fall, if at all possible

 

^^^^ This

Just trim the fronts and you will be good. If you are going to be doing any serious inclines offroad then take them off beforehand or you will donate them to the trail Gods.

RJM

 

For those in Kansas here are the offroad laws: http://www.liftlaws.com/kansas_lift_laws.htm
Apparently Kansas likes offroad vehicles

As for mudflaps I keep them on while driving the streets, however I take them off when offroading so the offroad god doesn't eat them.

 

x10

 

I love my http://www.rokblokz.com. Protect better and I don't think they look as obtrusive.

 

Neiko 20598A No-Scratch Auto Trim Removal Tool Kit, 5 Piece | Fastener and Molding Removal Tool

http://www.amazon.com/No-Scratch-Tools-Removing-Fastener-Molding/dp/B000LNBLTK

 

I have very mixed feelings about mine. Great protection and performance. They stay put no matter how i pinch and bend them. But they look hideous from certain angles. Because i like running skinny tires, they are way bigger than my 245s lol. Its ridiculous how much bigger they are than my tires lol

 

Take them off, plug the holes with body panel retainers or variable depth automotive fasteners; done. I'm really not finding that it makes any more of a mess without them and it looks a lot better without (subjective).

 

The Huskys come with "real" screws and some metal clips that hold real well...no more plastic "pushy pins"....!!!


They can be removed and reinstalled without a problem...BUT... they ARE hard and in flexible like the OEM's... Not the best to have on when off roading.????

 

do what i do.... a small hole dead nuts center 1/2in from the bottom on the front mud flaps. This allows you to take a piece of bailing wire and loop it through the flap and pull it up and back and wrap the bailing wire around a hole in the frame w/e. keeps the stock flaps out of the way when wheeling and takes 30 secs per side to do and undo.

Plus makes your truck look fast just sitting there.

 

Rally armor

 

I trimmed the stockers but that kinda sucks , still eat rocks and the truck gets covered in grime

 

My 2014 doesn't even have 7,000 mi. on it.

No flaps since 10 mi. on it

No paint damage but the rear flares are chewed up already from the front tires throwing debris

 

I trimmed the front flaps to the length of the backs, a few of the screws were stripped but some teflon tape helped and they snugged up. I have alot of paint chips with the flaps...but most importantly i am thinking common sense courtesy on the roads.
The modified trucks on this board, look cool with or without the flaps. Mine is stock and i think they look a bit better on. Most stock tacomas on the road have them on i notice.

 

I didn't think I would be posting in this thread but here it is.
I found that the best way to park in my spot at work was to back in. Yay for camera.
Problem was that the mud flap would catch just enough on parking bumper/curb to make a nasty noise and catch. I was worried they would rip off.
I don't off road much any more (old guy) but I still snow ski and like to explore conservatively so I wanted flaps for paint protection.
Info here was so helpfull.
Decided to take flaps off and trim. It was easy. Took +- 1" off rears and +- 3" off fronts.
Have to say it makes the truck look totally different to these old eyes. I really like the change.
Thanks to Oz-T for the suggestion to use tin snips. Pretty easy mod.

 

Why (especially if they are required in some states) do Ford, Chevy, GMC, etc. 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks and SUVs not come with mud flaps at all? Or maybe that's regional? Don't see mud flaps on hardly any passenger vehicles down here other than Toyota...