When I bought my truck a few years ago it failed safety inspection because it did not have mud flaps. I searched all of the local auto parts stores and didnt find anything that would work very well. I ended up settling on a really cheap one that was kind of small and had ford stamped on it. I ended up screwing it to the back of the wheel well. I didnt figure it would even stay put, but suprisingly they have lasted up until now. I just failed inspection because one of them had fallen off. I didnt even realise it had fallen off, but now i have to fix it. Does someone make a custom fit mud flap for our trucks? or should i just have something fabbed up? I do know a good welder who ive had do a few projects for me in the past. what would be the best way to attach them? i was thinking of having a bracket made up that i could bolt to the frame.

 

Is this on a flat bed or something? Never heard of needing mud flaps affect an inspection on a regular truck bed....


Heres mine

 

Its a stupid law. if the truck has a lift or large tires they require mud flaps.

 

What state/province is that?

 

I'm in southern Utah. I know its legit because the safety inspector let me slide since i had one mud flap. The next day i was pulled over by the highway patrol and given a warning for it. I haven't driven since then for fear of more law enforcement harassment.

 

Is your truck lifted that high, or has really big tires on it?

 

It does have a lift. I'm not sure how big it is. I also have 35 inch tires. But the law states that atleast 50 percent of the tire must be covered which Isn't an issue with anything stock.

 

 

WOW. Beautiful truck. Hit up a truck stop they got all sorts of mudflaps and brackets.

 

Wow yeah nice truck!!!!


I know if we have the 50% law, but I do know, you need mud flaps if you tires stick out the sides pass the fenders more than 2" you need mud flaps.

 

They dont appear to stick out very far and 50% is more then most 4x4s of this era cover.

 

great idea on the truck stop. I know if the tire sticks out too far, then fender flares are required. Since i got the warning ive been eyeballing every truck i see on the road and if they are stock the wheel well provides enough coverage. Its when you add large tires or a lift that you have too much exposed. The reason for this is they blame large trucks for the majority of rock chips. the thing that irks me is i got a rock chip the other day from a truck with mud flaps. the problem is any rocks will fly pretty much straight back and up at a slight ange, so a mud flap is ineffective unless it touches the road.

 

oh, and thanks for the kind words about my truck. I saw it posted for sale about three years ago and had to have it. It was painted probably 7 years ago, but the desert sun has killed the clear coat. you can see it flaking off in the photo. I have also noticed some rust bubles around the rear fender flares and a couple of spots where the paint has worn through exposing bondo. I'm thinking they did a poor job of repairing the rust back there when they painted it.

 

Denrayr, I made my own mudflaps from an old bed mat (pretty thick rubber) I cut up - made four of them, two real wide ones for the rear (I got a dually) and two slightly narrower for the front tires. Law requires them on the rear only, but I like the fronts cause they stop a great deal of dirt and grime that normally gets picked up by the front wheels and chucked back and packed on the inboard side of the rocker panels... Also the rear ones put an end to my rear bumper being packed solid with mud (majorly annoying when I knock it while working under the truck, hate dirt in the face). So yeah, mudflaps kinda take away from a trucks' cool factor, but they do have their benefits too. And yes, check out a truck stop or two, you may have to cut the mudflaps you get there in two cause they are after all sized for big trucks, but this means you'll probably have enough material for front mudflaps too, if you choose to hang some. Personally I think lifted trucks look sorta goofy with just rear mudflaps...

 

For the rear, I have commonly seen them mounted at the rear bumper. I think it looks a little silly, but is effective. My old man used to have one that went all the way across the rear of the box, but he had an ag bumper on it.

I would probably make a good mount that bolts to the frame to hang one at the back of the fenderwell. I had intended to do that with my 86, but hasn't gotten done just yet. Had a few tires let go when I was running the 16.5, they were not rated enough to handle the loads I ran, and would shred. Had one 16 throw the tread and bend the crap out of the box, it would have destroyed any such mount. I do still sit at stock height though...