How To: Trimming Front Mud Flaps

i know, trimming your mud flaps is a simple process, but i dont think i have ever seen it documented with pictures. so here is the way i did it:

Here is the stock mudflap (right side). it hangs down about 12 inches below the truck.


I cut out a template of the mud flap from a piece cardboard and then trimmed the template 5 inches shorter.


I then took a marker and traced the edge of the template.


then i used some masking tape to define the line to cut.


i used a dremel with a cut off wheel to make the cut. it may not be the best attachment to use (because it heats up and melts the plastic mud flap), but it worked for me. here is the mud flap mid-cut.


here is the complete cut.


i used a sander attachment on the dremel to clean up the cut.


here is the 5 inches that was cut off.


here is the completed cut on the left side.


amount removed from the left mud flap.



i should now be able to go over a speed bump without rubbing the mud flaps

the whole process took about 30 minutes.

enjoy

 

Nice wrightup. I was wondering when someone would do a wrightup on the flaps. I am suprised no one has ever marketed shorter mudflaps for the toyotas. I bet they would sell.

 

There is one, but no pics... pm piercedtiger and he can add your link to the cheap/free mods.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/4838-cheap-free-mods-10.html#post63249

 

Great DIY write up!!

That is the reason is took the front flaps off. ...They sold with in 20 mins on Ebay!!

 

I used a pair of tin snips to cut mine.
Still need to do a final sanding on them.
What grit did you use on the sanding?

 

Great write up!! Definitely needs to be stickied

 

I got did the same thing today because of EAmonkey....If it's too difficult I would not have done it. Installed my CB at mod day too.

Thanks man. Awesome truck too.

Tri

 

Nice write up. I tried the dremel at first but I found it easier to heat the flaps up with a heat gun then use a razor blade to cut them. They cut very easily once their soft from the heat. Leaves a nice smooth cut too.

 

Great Writeup and pictures. I believe Skistoy did a similar writeup a few months ago about this. It convinced me to do it and I am very pleased with the result. I'd recommend it to everyone.

 

60 grit.

 

Nice write up!! now I might want to do it on my first gen

 

I bascially did this but removed the flaps from the truck and used a razor to cut. No sanding needed afterward. I also went short than the op, leaving just enough flap to hang down to mid-tire on 265/75/R16s.

 

Just did mine. Easy to do. Now I don't have to worry about the flap tearing off. I may add the removed piece as a stiffner edger on the bottom edge. Any thoughts on that idea??

 

I used tin snips for the cut and matched the distance off the ground on the back flap to determine the cut off amount on the front. looks much better cut, no doubt

 

Tin snips to cut will save you a ton of time. Leaves a decently smooth edge. A little sand paper to finish it up and it's done.

All in all took about 2 minutes to do both sides.

 

Found the tin snips much easier, the dremmel not great for cutting plastic
I also did a tread a while back, but cant find the damn thread at all ( yes i did the search )
I'll have to start writing down the names of the threads - hahaha

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/51353-easy-mudflap-trim.html

Finally found it!
Still great job eamonkey, Im not taking credit for the tin snips. Someone along the way mentioned it and i had a pair, and they worked great. I used a dremmel on trying to cut some trd center caps to fit my truck, had the same thing happen to me with the plastic melting and such.

 

sweet!

 

Regarding the dremel melting the plastic, you need to use a slower speed and take your time. If you don't have an adjustable speed on the dremel, then not much you can do.

 

Used the tin snip version and only removed 2.5" of material. Worked great with a little finish sanding around the edge in about 10 minutes.

Before:


After:


Drivers side after sanding:


The rear flaps stock hang 10" below the truck. The front with the 2.5" removed now hang 9" below the truck. Notice the custom high dollar $$$$ wheel stops!!!!