Who has removed their mudflaps?

If you have removed your mudflaps, have you noticed any chips from rocks or other "damage" where the flaps would have protected the paint? I like the way it looks without them but don't want to risk anything chipping up those areas.

 

I have mine off and I have sliders- No damage above and beyond what will happen anyways.
The longer you leave the mud flaps on the more worn into the fender flares they get....

 

I've had them off for years, no problems.

There are quite a few threads on this, btw, and a poll or two I believe.

 

I have had mine off for a while. I can tell you that when I do go off-roading and manage to get some mud caked in the tires it is pretty brutal sounding when I get back on the road. Haven't noticed any issues yet though, just cringing noises from the mud flying off.

 

Mine are off and i haven't had any problems!

 

My front right one tore off when I went to Idaho this winter (I think it froze and cracked). I tore the other front one off and left the rears. Been meaning to get some small ones from the autoparts place to protect my truck but haven't and have had no trouble in 3 months regular driving and some off-roading.

 

I removed the front two and left the rear two on. Looks better to me.

 

I took mine off when the truck was about a week old. No problems.

 

I throw rocks at myself. I have to explain the sound every time it happens, to those riding in my truck. But there are only a few scratches and chips.

 

Ya, I saw a thread when I went to the main page after I started my thread.

 

My fronts are off and it definetely gets dirty on the sides way faster now. It seems like i can drive down a clean dry road now, and have mud splashed up the sides. But no damage.

 

I took my front ones off and I don't offroad that much but I have noticed more little knicks.

 

If you off road at all you will get chips, especially on a black truck. Also any mud puddle you go through you will have dirt all down the side of your truck.

 

Off here. No damage except the impressions the mudflaps themselves left on the finish of paint. boo

 

Made a temple of the front mud flap, just the bottom curve part. Then cut off 5-6 inches from the front. After a few year, with no mud flaps, i've received quite enough rock chips from off roading, construction on roads, and gravel patches. I also have sliders, but they protect a little bit, but don't hold your breath.

 

I've got an 07 PreRunner and I just took mine off today. They left some nice marks on the paint around the fender though!

I think I am going to trim mine up pretty short then reinstall to cover up the paint damage. I am going to drive this week and see how dirty the truck gets when they are off.

 

same here.. Had them off for over a year now.. No additional damage just impressions in the paint from the initial removal. I kinda ripped mine off with snow chains in the mountain. Im from Cali not too much snow. I f'd up. lol
my build
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-builds/86177-fiestee23s-prerunner-build.html

 

all 4 of mine are off. definitely seems to get a bit dirtier behind the fenders but overall i think the rhino-lined type paint at the bottom of the doors/rockers protects the paint from chips, etc

 

I think the majority of people have them off..

 

...whether willingly or unwillingly.

If you wait 4 years to take them off, you'll have grooves like the grand canyon (in proportion, they're actually about 1/8 inch deep). I've gotten 2 little nicks where I've had to use touch-up paint after having them off for a year and a half (and I'm in snow country so I drive on a lot of cinders on the highway). Now compare those 2 chips to the multiple ones I get along the windshield and in the hood, I'd say you're safe to take them off.