Mud Flaps-to remove or not remove?

[B30004X4]

I have a 2000 Mazda B3000 4X4. I am wondering if I should remove my factory mud flaps. I have seen many trucks without them and I think they look better. I just have one problem if I remove them will the paint chip alot and will I get rust or alot of rust on my truck? I live in Wisconsin and in the winter there is alot of salt put on the roads. I just am wondering if I remove them will the body rust alot faster like a couple of years or ten years? Does anyone have expierence with this? Currently in the winter all the snow and salt gets kicked on the mud flaps. How well does ford paint hold up?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

i still have the front mudflaps on my truck (the rears, eh, "removed themselves"), but since i have wider than stock tires, they dont protect the paint like they should. i keep it hidden with wax, but there is a permanent "splash" behind all 4 wheels where the paint is mildly sandblasted. i would really recommend leaving them on (and even enlarging them, especially if you up tire sizes) if you want to get the most out of your paint.

 

[B30004X4]

Thank you wicked sludge. Anymore input would be appreciated!

 

[edgeaholic (tm)]

at first, i was against removing my mud flaps. then, i went ahead and removed them. glad i did makes the truck seem taller and more aggressive. i also removed my nerf bars (for the same reason as the mud flaps)

 

[farley610]

i just took mine off after i got my new tires and it makes the truck look a lot better

 

[ejholmgren]

My 4x4 project car didn't have any, so I found all 4 from a yard to put on it. Maybe I'm just weird?

 

[gw33gp]

I have always thought function overcomes looks to a point. I have no intention of removing my mud flaps, but I don't think they look so bad either. I also installed a side protection strip because I hate door dings and I don't think they look so bad either.

I draw the line when function becomes tacky. To each his own.

 

[Muscleford]

Will factory mud flaps from an earlier year where they were offered for the front and rear fit an 08? I prefer not to use universals as they doon;t seem to look right to me. They are not offered on 08's. If they will fit anyone have Ford part numbers?

Thanks

George

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

My 4x4 project car didn't have any, so I found all 4 from a yard to put on it. Maybe I'm just weird?

your not weird, i like the way mud flaps look if they arent obnoxious. a small panel of stainless on the back of each flap looks nice too (and helps keep them straight). i plan on re-installing my rears someday...

 

[Insanejughead]

My rear mudflaps were ripped and torn off too... so I took the brackets off to finish off the look. My front flaps are on, and they are only 1 1/2" off the ground.

I love my drop!!

 

[pillen140]

i hate the way mine look, but they function damn well, so i leave em on. i want to take them off though, and re-trim them, it seems almost every ranger with those rubber flaps, the flaps rub and dont line up right with the body, and get distorted. but i will probably never do it. too lazy.

 

[hihoslvr]

Had my truck up in the Mid-West a few times, and yeah with no flaps, I got alot of mudspray. Thought a bed-liner type finish on the rocker panels would be a good fix...

 

[Boggin]

Mine are tore off, Front and Back, Now the back ones look sweet up on the wall in my bedroom with the 4X4 emblem on them :icon_drool:

But i have no intentions of putting them back on, maybe the front ones, but they stay put behind my seat along with:
2 CB Radios
2 Front Mudflaps
Tailpipe (yes, my tailpipe)
Some Coloum Thingy
Window washer
Window Squeaky 'Thing
2 License Plates
Jacket
Flashlights
Tool Set
Tire Repair Thing
more to come..


Jeff

 

[gotmudd]

i happen to agree with the general theme that trucks look better without the mud flaps, but face it guys the manufacturers put the flaps on for two purposes, (1)to protect YOUR paint from road grime, (2) so that YOUR road grime, or at least the majority, don't wind up on other peoples windows. i guess it boils down to the question...........on a cold and windy and rainy night, would you want someone elses mud messin up your view of the pretty moonlight??????????

 

[racsan]

i thought about removing mine, but the 15 years worth of rust in the threads of the fasteners solved that. if i want them off, it will take more than a simple 8mm wrench.
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BMW R69S