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The Truth About Splash Guards

72K views 248 replies 118 participants last post by  Omar Brannstrom 
#1 ·
Why all the fuss about splash guards and mud flaps?

I (like many others here) am not happy about the amount of mud and road grime that gets thrown all the way up the side of my JK. It gets on my door, handles, glass, soft top, etc… If this was not my daily driver then it would not be such a hassle but I use my Jeep for every day driving, work, hunting and plenty of off roading. I was tired of grabbing a dirty handle and getting my pants dirty just getting in and out of my Jeep. So, I decided to put on the factory Mopar splash guards and I’m glad I did.

Now, a little background….I installed these about 4 months ago because I wanted to put these through their paces before I commented on them. These are just my observations and your mileage may vary. I wanted to use them off road to see how they would hold up to my type of wheeling.

What is “my type” of wheeling? I suspect it’s about the same as 90% of you guys out there light to moderate. And when I say moderate I mean probably more than most 4x4’s out there could go. I’ve taken my jeep through light mud up to the bottom of my doors and the splash guards made it through unscathed. I took it through thick mud to where I was buried to the frame and stuck…I had to get pulled out (backwards) and the splash guards held tight. I’ve taken it over some pretty uneven terrain and while I’ve scraped them a couple times and even bent the left front one back a little, it popped back into shape with no sign of it ever being bent with the exception of light abrasions on the bottom edge. I was surprised to see how much both the ridged splash guard and fender “flexed” without breaking off or bending.

Now as far as off road driving goes, light to medium is the extent I’d like to push my Jeep. I am pretty certain that if I did any type of aggressive rock crawling or other types of those obstacles then the splash guards would be toast. Then again, if I was pushing my Jeep to that extent, it wouldn’t be my daily driver either….think about it.

As it is, steep hills, uneven terrain, mud, minor rocks and obstacles were no problem at all.
For light to moderate off roading you will be hard pressed to rip them off….however, even if you did, it’s not the end of the world as you would most likely be just replacing the mud flap and perhaps the rear bumper or fender. I’ve got the black fenders so there is no need for paint, just put the new one back on and go. That’s small compared to what most folks break when they off road on difficult terrain, hell ripping off a splash guard would be the least of my worries at that point.

I think the main reluctance folks have to installing mud flaps/splash guards is the “perception” that you give to others Jeepers that you are not the “hard core” off roader you want them to believe you are. To each their own I guess, it doesn’t bother me because I know what my Jeep can and can’t do with them on and that’s just fine with me.

If you don't like the way they look that's one thing, but I’m just tired of reading post after post of how mud flaps and splash guards are for “mall crawlers” and the perception that you will rip them off the second you leave black top or worst of all that you are somehow not a “true Jeeper” if you have them on your jeep. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Jeeps are the most capable mass produced off road vehicle you can buy off the showroom floor and nothing changes that….not even splash guards. If you want to drive around with a filthy Jeep and wear that as a “badge of honor” by all means be my guest, I don’t though, I’d like it too stay as clean as possible when I’m on blacktop. It will get dirty enough off road and make no mistake about it, I go off road often…splash guards and all.
 
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#4 ·
And the point of this excercise... You like them which is great. I don't like them, which is great for me and many others. I don't like the way they look. Just a personal opinion. Nothing to do with perception. I do not like mud flaps. Say it three times fast. ;)
 
#10 ·
Mud flaps are for mall crawlers ;)

Just kiddin...

However, for me, the easiest way to keep from grabbing a dirty door handle or getting my pants dirty is to not go through the mud. I hate the mud...you will too once you start crackin loose dried on mud when you are workin under the jeep. Then you will see that mud flaps aren't necessary...dang mall crawlers ;)

Just playin, if they work for you and you are happy with them...have at it :thumb:
 
#12 ·
I didn't know there was a big fuss to begin with. If you like them....rock them. If not...don't. :confused:
 
#22 ·
I like mine. $39 delivered for the Mopar ones. I took them off with a Leatherman tool in 5 minutes when I hit the offroad park, then put them back on when I got home. No sweat and they keep a lot of gravel and road salt from blasting the rocker panels and doors.
 
#24 ·
Yep, and it's STILL a Jeep even with splash guards on it. Just because someone puts splash guards/mud flaps on their Jeep doesn't somehow take away it's off road ability....it just makes it cleaner.:thumb:

Mopar2Ya....great looking Jeep!
 
#25 ·
ive been naked for a while because this forum doesn't allow me to go to the mall to buy clothes, oh and i love my splash guards. only gripe I have is that with painted flares, they will damage the paint after a while. If i decide to take them off, I will need a new set or have them repainted.
 
#73 ·
ive been naked for a while because this forum doesn't allow me to go to the mall to buy clothes, oh and i love my splash guards. only gripe I have is that with painted flares, they will damage the paint after a while. If i decide to take them off, I will need a new set or have them repainted.
Dealer put them on mine, I didn't ask for them so it was a freebe, they tell me they put them on all new jk's they sell. I don't care if no one likes them, it's my Jeep, so my rules!
However, driving fast fireroads, the Rubie tires kicked up a lot of small rocks that peppered the rear painted fenders and door hinges. Had to mask off the leading edge of both rear fenders and coat it with bed liner. Flaps made no difference really, just that it didn't kick up the rocks any higher.
 
#26 ·
I run splash guards for the winter. Pop off in the summer. Trying to keep the sand/salt off the paint as best as possible. If the fronts are bolted good and tight and the guards aren't moving around, they should not damage painted flairs too bad. I do wish they made a flat version of the fronts that didn't wrap around the fender. The rears are on the bumper so nothing to hurt there...
 
#28 ·
JB71 said:
No, I have a "thing" about the un-informed, just trying to shed some light is all.:thumb:
^^^This is exactly correct. Also, I appreciate anyone giving a thorough review of any product, no matter how trivial or unimportant the product may be to some, it may mean a great deal to others. After all, information, large or small, is why most of us are here.

I put them on mine because I take it to the mountains, and they sand the highway (better than salt in my opinion). With the way the tires sit, even stock, due to the Wranglers design, it would sandblast the rockers in no time. Until I decide on another form of protection, either sliders, rocker covers, maybe both, maybe neither, these work. And to agree with the OP even more, these are very sturdy and attach very solidly, I could not be happier with them.

In fact, we went up this weekend. Here's a picture of my bride with Lucille, our Mall Of Duty (M.O.D.) Edition, and her mud flaps. :)

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Snow Off-road vehicle


Motor vehicle Red Vehicle Automotive tire Tire
 
#245 ·
^^^This is exactly correct. Also, I appreciate anyone giving a thorough review of any product, no matter how trivial or unimportant the product may be to some, it may mean a great deal to others. After all, information, large or small, is why most of us are here.

I put them on mine because I take it to the mountains, and they sand the highway (better than salt in my opinion). With the way the tires sit, even stock, due to the Wranglers design, it would sandblast the rockers in no time. Until I decide on another form of protection, either sliders, rocker covers, maybe both, maybe neither, these work. And to agree with the OP even more, these are very sturdy and attach very solidly, I could not be happier with them.

In fact, we went up this weekend. Here's a picture of my bride with Lucille, our Mall Of Duty (M.O.D.) Edition, and her mud flaps. :)

View attachment 203189

View attachment 203190
Holy Mackerel those things are hideous.
 
#30 ·
I recently purchased MOPAR 82210233 - MOPAR® Front Deluxe Molded Splash Guards in Black with Jeep® Logo for 07-13 Jeep® Wrangler & Wrangler Unlimited JK - Quadratec . I don't want them of permanently so I also bought a few of Push Type Retainer GM Ford Chrysler

My idea is that I could use these push retainer, similar to the ones found on the grill to install the splash guards. That way when I want to run without them on, all I have to do is pop the push retainers out.

What do you think?

Probably going to tackle this within a day or two. Also, I do these for a simple reason, it snows in the Northeast and my duratracs are tattooing my black jk with road salt and rock, not a good combo. I need something to minimize the damage, these look good enough for me.
 
#31 ·
I recently purchased MOPAR 82210233 - MOPAR® Front Deluxe Molded Splash Guards in Black with Jeep® Logo for 07-13 Jeep® Wrangler & Wrangler Unlimited JK - Quadratec . I don't want them of permanently so I also bought a few of Push Type Retainer GM Ford Chrysler

My idea is that I could use these push retainer, similar to the ones found on the grill to install the splash guards. That way when I want to run without them on, all I have to do is pop the push retainers out.

What do you think?

Probably going to tackle this within a day or two. Also, I do these for a simple reason, it snows in the Northeast and my duratracs are tattooing my black jk with road salt and rock, not a good combo. I need something to minimize the damage, these look good enough for me.
I was thinking the same thing. I have the push pins on order and plan to try this mod this weekend. Worst case, I figure I can use the supplied screws along the fender edge and the push pins where the mud flaps attach to the fender liner. Might take a bit longer to remove, but still the same result.
 
#33 ·
Mopar2Ya said:
I still get splash, my tires stick out past the fender/splash guards too, but the amount has been significantly reduced especially on the leading edge of my steps.
Very nice looking Jeep. And for a guy who doesn't usually like that color paint and those particular wheels, it all works well on that baby!
 
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