Reverse mud flaps
 

So I was out at the pick-n-pull Saturday looking for a bed extender for my Ranger. No such luck unfortunately. But I did notice the mud flaps on quite a few Rangers. We usually say "Get rid of those mud flaps ASAP." but I wondered if you switched sides and reversed them, if they would be like a wheel spat of sorts. So I took one off to see how it fit on the other side. Surprisingly well I thought so I grabbed the four best ones I could find and brought them home. Set me back a whopping $8 so no big loss if the brain trust here thinks its a bad idea. I duct taped them on for these pictures so no body work was harmed as of yet.

What do you think?

The rears also swapped over pretty well. Would it be a good or bad idea to give the rear wheels the same treatment? Pay no attention to the factory mud flaps still there. They will be gone before you all get a chance to read this.

https://ecomodder.com/forum/attachme...4&d=1564955796

https://ecomodder.com/forum/attachme...5&d=1564955817

https://ecomodder.com/forum/attachme...6&d=1564955837

Looks like a good fit. Any idea how you are going to determine ideal size.

I did it on my leaf.

Didn't know there was an "ideal" size. I just planned on leaving them as is.

Did you do the rears also oil pan 4?

Yeah I had to buy the full OEM set.

Brake cooling is the only thing that comes to mind. Some truck owners “cover” front & rear on trailer tires, but this is mainly to keep the trailer clean. Same with some aftermarket fender designs for the tractor drive axles.

The 579 Peterbilt I’m in has the FE-conscious EPIQ package. And (brand) FLOW BELOW tractor drive axle package.

Stock, the tractor features Texas Flyswatter mudflaps. But conventional polished steel front quarter fenders.

Now, the Steer Tires have terrific enclosure. No spats, per se. Embiggen the pics. The tire enclosure extends from fender inwards to tire. A very very small gap remains.

Air is prevented from getting underneath the tractor. Essentially.

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https://ecomodder.com/forum/attachme...7&d=1564971359

https://ecomodder.com/forum/attachme...8&d=1564971406

Some manufacturers use huge strakes. Just look at the rear of the Nissan Murano:

https://blogmedia.dealerfire.com/wp-...inum-awd_o.jpg

Or GM full-size trucks:

https://ecomodder.com/forum/member-v...215-161906.jpg

My Insight has strakes from the factory. My concern would be that the flap would blow against the tire at highway speeds, and rub on it.

My strake enlargements are made from indoor/outdoor rubber mat from the hardware store:

https://ecomodder.com/forum/member-v...1522101131.jpg

Granted, they wrap around the wheel liner, but I've never had any contact/rubbing issues.