Are these flappy plastic covers in the front wheel wells necessary?

are the to protect the engine area from dirt kicked up?

 

Keeps out dirt, water, rocks, snow, ice and road kill.

 

you can make your own by purchasing rubber material at lowes or home depot. use the old one to use trace a new one. Or you can do like I did, and google Rad Rubber Design and buy theirs. A little pricey, but very thick material, and should last for years.

 

Just for keeping the engine bay a little more clean.

 

If you ford any moderate water crossings or hit any large puddles, it can keep your headers from cracking due to being hit with a deluge of water. Theoretically.

 

Check out this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...d-fender-liner-thingies.654551/#post-22797775

@cazinpa did a great job making a template. I used it with some 1/8" neoprene and it fit perfectly.

 

Very functional for help keeping water off engine parts that best not get drenched. Hot exhaust manifolds for example.

 

I made mine out of conveyor belt materials.
Very sturdy stuff.

 

if you live in any rust belt areas where salt or other de icing chemicals are used, they are really important to keep your engine and associated hardware from rusting out. I have seen side by side vehicles with and without. After seeing that I made my own but larger with extra rubber roofing material.