Looking for something other than universal or cut-to-fit mudflaps for my 2005 E350, front and rear if available. Cost isn't an issue so much as proper fit and quality construction. I'd like to avoid drilling holes in the quarter panels if at all possible---not so picky about fenders though.

What cha got? Any images of actual installation? Source?

TIA

 

Hmmm. I'm hearing crickets here.....

I'm guessing that no-drill is the show stopper on this. Plenty of them out there that require drilling.

 

Not sure how they would fasten with no drilling.

 

If something custom fitted to the E-Series body did exist the no-drill feature would be easy enough to execute. The problem is even with drilling I find nearly nothing that's made for the van bodies.

I ordered a very cheap set of DIY customizable flaps from Amazon---a whopping $16 with free shipping. While my '05 has had mud flap holes drilled into the body I was hoping to add the flaps and weld closed the existing holes. Once this cheap set arrives I'll weigh how much work it'll be to adapt them to my situation. With a bit of effort I can drill holes and make sure they don't become areas that'll encourage rust--its not that tough with POR-15.

 

You might try bonding them on with something like JB Weld Plastic Bond …. I've heard it's pretty tough stuff. Just a "no-drill" idea …..

 

That's not a bad approach---I'd never really considered going that direction. I'm not sure most adhesives known to me including the JB Weld types would stand up to what mud flaps encounter. I'm typically a huge fan of 3M products but even they probably don't have much that would do this job.

As I look a bit more closely at the rear wheel well areas even if I revert to drill-type flaps I'd be able to adequately treat the drilled holes so they'd be protected against the elements. Now the trick will be to find something that's semi-appealing but still effective keeping road crap from being flung against the lower body both front and rear.

 

What about using the "drill" type and using bolts and nuts instead of screws? Drill the holes,POR-15 them and when cured,bolt the mudflaps on with large washers to spread the load.

 

I've had an idea kicking around in my head for making some. I just haven't had a chance to do it.

 

Care to share that idea?

That's my idea too---I'm a huge fan of POR-15 already and won't hesitate to use it anywhere on the exterior or underside where rust could occur or already exists.

 

My idea is to mount the flaps on a rod, that is actually bolted to the frame or in my case, to the tube step bracket.
I'd like to ha e some sort of fender linee to keep stuff out of the seam around the wheel well

 

 

I couldnt find anything that would work for me... So, I went to NAPA and bought two semi truck mudflaps. I think $12.00 each.

I cut them in half from top to bottom and mounted with self tapping screws and washers. They did the trick and have been a successful addition for over a year in the Pac NW weather.

I mounted them so they would stick out a little. REALLY helps with the wet road flying up all over the van!

Mike

 

i'd come upon that idea as well---working around big trucks all day long it seemed like a decent alternative. Not sure how well it would work for the front but I'm much more concerned with drilling holes in the rear more so than the front fenders---they're easily replaced if not properly treated against rust and they begin to do just that. I'm being more than picky about this as I've seen too many otherwise great vans severely affected due morons drilling holes in the bodies and never treating the bare holes. Van converters are you listening?

Also thinking in that direction as well. I'd be mounting mine at the rear of each wheel well since the flying debris tends to travel backwards anyway. At the bare minimum I'll use some of the 3M paint protection film for the lower rear quarter panels.

Also FWIW I've considering making plastic inner fenders for the rear wheel wells--a "shield" of sorts from the road crap flung against the body both upwards and to the rear. I could do that easily enough but it would require drilling holes---which I'd promptly treat with POR-15 before installing the pieces.

Thanks guys---good advice!

 

I`ve always coated screws like that with silicone sealer.

Happy Camper, do you have a template?

 

Sealing any screw or drilled hole in the original body is a good idea however rust forms from those places because once the paint, primer and electro-coating of the sheet metal is compromised they're essentially left exposed to the weather. Sealing just the heads of bolts or screws doesn't work too well if the hole and backside of the opening isn't also rust protected.

If I drill any such holes I'll be sure I can access both sides and protect accordingly.

And yes HappyCamper---got a template or NAPA part number? I like the look of those you've created.