Any consequences to removing the mudflaps?

I hate the look of the mudflaps (the front ones in particular). Are there any negative side-effects of removing them?

 

Kicked up rocks hitting your paint?

 

Unless you're in a state that requires them, nothing really. But i have seen people post on the Tacoma World Facebook of them getting cited for no mud flaps so check your local laws first

 

Truck will get dirty, fast. And every time it rains. Rock chips will be more prevalent as well.

 

I appreciate the quick feedback, everyone. Looks like it may be illegal in NH but I wonder if I can get by with just removing the front ones.

 

If you care about your paint I would suggest trimming them down or replacing them with something better.

I did this:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/flexible-aftermarket-tacoma-mud-flaps-by-rokblokz.377255/

 

Took mine off the day I bought my truck off the lot. Haven't seen any negative side-effects at 15k miles.

 

Yeah I haven't noticed rocks scratching my paint, just a lot more mud on the doors when I off-road.

 

I removed my mudflaps and have larger than stock tires. My truck is constantly dirty because of tire spray. I also have a lot of rock chips in the lower part of the truck. I would recommend getting different flaps that are shorter rather than removing them all together. Rokblokz makes a short set, and it has significantly cut down on the tire spray. Also, I have gotten pulled over when I didn't run flaps, but that's Washington State.

 

You'll be fine if you leave the fenders on.

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

 

I've lived in NH my whole life and never heard of anyone driving a pickup getting a ticket for that. I think it only applies to commercial vehicles or cops can't be bothered.

 

2nd gen owners want to remove their mud flaps that come standard. But 3rd gen owners want them because they are not a standard option. I guess the grass is greener on the other side.

 

I haven't had mud flaps on for years, and my fenders have held up fine. It also depends on what your driving on. If I drove gravel roads regularly, I'd have left them on. I'm also in NH, and @Clearwater Bill is right. It says you need flaps if you don't have fenders. Just look around on the roads next time your out, there are more pick ups without flaps, than with them.

 

Thanks for posting that on the intra-webz. I can use it to show the wife and kids once in a while.

we just sold a house in Newton NH. Thankfully.

 

I got your back buddy.

 

I noticed the same thing lol. 2nd gen owner consensus is drive over a rock and rip the damn things off, and 3rd gen owners were scrambling right off the bat to find some OEM flaps. I noticed Toyota did stick a length of black rubber or plastic that runs the length of the bedside from the rear of the wheel well to the bumper, which I assume is to negate any issue of rock chips.

 

I took mine off a year ago when I bought it because of the larger tires I had installed. I have had no issues as a result of it. I will say the major bonus of taking them off is that I don't have anyone tailgating me anymore on the interstate when it is raining. The rooster tail takes care of that problem. I do get a larger portion of my truck covered in mud when I go on dirt roads, but haven't had any rocks chip the paint.

 

Swapped to rally armor on the Taco, but took my Xterra's off. Had oversized tires with an offset that put the wheel an inch or so outside the wheel well. The rooster tail from the front tires would make having the window down impossible (negated wind deflectors) and it did a number on the paint.

Sounds like results vary greatly.

 

In any state that requires you to have mud flaps by law are only in reference to the rear tires that way you are not liable to any "acidents" or broken windows on vehicles following behind you. So feel free to take off the front ones.

 

Wider flares like Bushwhackers could negate some of the rock chip issues, I suppose.
A lot of my driving is on gravel roads, so I'm leaving mine on, even though my tires have been known at certain speeds to toss chunks of gravel up onto my hood!