Toyota ignores the MUD FLAPS issue, CALL them.

We need to "start" this request properly, I called Toyota Corporation 1 (800) 331-4331 and let them know about the problem with the LONG front mud flaps. They do not have any single complain about it, no one before me has formerly request a confirmation number (case number) for this issue, my case number is: 200803050321, if you can start calling and probably we can get Toyota's attention for such a simple problem but annoying enough to drastically apply a solution to it (cutting, removing, selling, giving away) will be an excellent beginning.

Let get this started.

 

Granted, I don't do much off-roading, but I like the long mud flaps. They protect my paint well.

 

That was one of my concerns and I tell the Toyota representative that I will not modify them in any way because of the known issue of poor paint quality and any rock hit may easily chirp the paint, but because of the length of them you experience an annoying sound and on the short term a damaged mud flap when going over bumps... need to be expressed to make Toyota awake on this matter.

 

Can you put on bigger wheels and tires so the mudflaps are not so low?

What about body side moudlings to protect the lower body from stones
and stuff?

Clear teflon sheild maybe like they have for car hoods?

 

I will do it in a mid future but I "NEED" to spend $$$ more to "fix" this issue and is more a design problem than anything else.

 

Mine did too! I just came in from the parking lot.
I just install generic truck mud flaps I got from Autozone
on the front. Not as long as Toyotas, but keep most of the
snow boogers off the body.

 

You are right, I do not know from which year-on they included this protective clear film, but again the mud flap problem still there with ot without this protection.

 

What's wrong with the mud flaps?

 

too long and scrape going over bumps or rocks . for me they drag when I drive over the dunes to access the beach on cape cod . not a big deal the sand is soft .

 

The thing is that Toyota has never had received a complain for this issue and... it is a real pain in the ass when driving off-road, sand dunes, over bumps at the end when they are damaged by all these and more, they just do not resist the wind at high speeds by flipping back... and Where is the protection that they are intended for?...

 

The mudflaps on my 05 are shorter than, I believe, the 07 and 08. The mudflaps, in addition to protecting your rocker panels and lower bedsides from damage to a degree, help prevent road debris, usually in the form small rocks and such, from spinning off your tires and striking the car behind you.
The earlier year mudflaps, 01-04, were more flexible and "gave" when the vehicle rolled over different objects. These mudflaps, over time, would become curved backwards from driving. If you don't believe me, the next time you see an 01-04 on the highway, look at the front mudflap. It is probably flapping in the wind, like a bird wing.
The 05+ mudflaps have rigid backers, which helps prevent the mudflaps from, well, flapping. These mudflaps only "give to a small degree. This is why you hear about people damaging them or ripping them off while wheelin'. Toyota probably figured that 80% of the people buying these trucks would only use them on-road, and during inclement weather.
You can trim these mudflaps, there is a guy over on tn who did it and they came out pretty good. I think he took off 4", but then wished he only took off 3".
The paint protection that lsocoee mentioned is to help protect the lower parts of the truck, i.e. the rocker panels and doors, and the lower edge of the bedsides. This paint protection, don't ask me what it is called as I don't know the name of it, is applied to the metal prior to paint. Some people mistake it for "orange peel". Some manufacturers apply more of it than others. I've seen some Hondas having almost an 1/8" of the stuff applied to the rockers.

 

Believe me I know the importance of the mud-flaps, but after hitting almost everything 5 inches tall on your way they will finally give up and flap at almost any speed like the ones on generation one, I have seen these gen2 on the highway flapping as you mentioned. But complaining with Toyota Corp. will give them a heads up on how long they are for even at the lightest off-road driving and not to mention on the city where the schools are... bump after bump

 

Are they less bulky than the stock ones? Had to remove mine due to larger wheels. Looking for replacement.

 

I highly doubt Toyota designed them with offroading in mind. If they're that annoying during offroad trips - then take them off completely.

Hell... when I had my 96, I tore atleast 2 of them off while on the trails. I never replaced them. I certainly wouldn't complain to Toyota about it.

Sorry - but I don't understand the logic for complaining about them.

 

No offense, but wtf do you mean they weren't designed for offroading on a truck labeled "Off Road"? I mean, I paid nearly $30k for an off road truck. I don't expect to find parts designed for a Corolla on it.

On a side note mine are off. Mainly because my front passenger one snapped off backing out of a driveway when I hit a bump. No big deal right? Just take the rest of it off and move on.... WRONG! When I got home and noticed it was missing I looked closer and saw it ripped out the plastic mounts (part of the fender/splash guards). I could live with the flap breaking, but ripping out part of the fender is ridiculous.

I took the rest of the off so no more damage would occur.

Either way, my flaps were only 2-3" off the ground. Who in their right mind thinks this is enough for a truck DESIGNED for off road use?

 

What is the "Known" poor paint quality issue? Where can I find that?

 

You can start here

Take a look at the front of your truck, hood, fenders, a-pillars....you will probably notice little chips in the paint. It's common on the new gen Taco's and sucks a$$

 

It's no more of a problem with Toyota than it is with any other manufacturer. My Altima was a lot worse than my truck, my Ford Explorer was covered with chips, my Ranger the same, and so on and so on...

I can't believe someone actually created a thread to complain about mud flaps. I seriously thought it was a joke at first. I saw no issue with them when I had them on and I see no issue with them being off.

BTW, there's a reason why Toyota has "ignored" the "MUD FLAPS issue": Nobody has actually wasted their time to file a complaint over such a trivial issue. Well, nobody except one person, apparently.

 

The only thing worthy of the *Offroad* title (as you mention it) - is that rear locker. That's the only *real usable offroad option* that separates the TRD's from the non-TRD's.