Do the Ford splash guard/mud flaps require drilling to install?

[timhood]

I'm looking at getting the Ford splash guards with my FordPass points. However, the instructions online appear that I need to drill something to install them (particularly the front). I'm wondering if that is the case and if it's just a plastic part that needs to be drilled or any part that I should worry about rust.

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[Scott R Nelson]

I would doubt that you have to drill anything, but for sure with the WeatherTech mudflaps you just pull out a bunch of Ford fasteners and put in the new ones that they supply. Not as easy as it ought to be, but probably a similar amount of work for the Ford version.

 

[FoCoBronc]

I installed the Form OEM mudflaps on the front of my non-sas OBX w/o running boards yesterday. They do ask you to drill two 1/4" holes in flares as part of install. Then use plastic grommet to attach. I ended up only doing one hole, down low where it would be hard to see if I remove. I honestly think you could install without any holes or grommets- it is very solid with all other fasters and clips. I like the end result - no regrets. Less paint chips and mud splash. PS. holes are drilled in flares, not body or metal.

 

[iwantabasebronco]

Yes. Like mentioned above you drill into the front flares and also into the rear bumper. They screw directly in the rear bumper. I like the flaps. They help.

 

[Jeffola]

I have a set of these flaps and after installing one of them I decided I wasn't going to drill any holes in a painted fender flare. I grabbed the flap and wiggled two of the three slide clips right off the car. I'd be willing to be that they won't stay on long....... I am shocked how difficult it has been to find a decent mud flap with zero drilling to install at a reasonable price. The Mabetts were junk and after reaching out to them directly on this forum (With no response after many days of them being online and active on the site) I decided to keep looking. I don need them to be removable, which some of the most expensive ones are. Options for front mud flaps suck. The rears, I used the Ford one and simply screwed into the bumper, it's quite hidden, but they are pretty large and I'd look for a set of front and rear if I found something I liked.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

I am shocked how difficult it has been to find a decent mud flap with zero drilling to install at a reasonable price.

The WeatherTech mudflaps do not require any drilling and I got the full set, ordered through my Ford dealer, for $110.

What more do you want?

 

[Jeffola]

The WeatherTech mudflaps do not require any drilling and I got the full set, ordered through my Ford dealer, for $110.

What more do you want?

The front flaps have a huge gap allowing anything and everything to pass through the gap between the flare and the flap. regardless of price, the weather tech flaps do no do the job up front.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

The front flaps have a huge gap allowing anything and everything to pass through the gap between the flare and the flap. regardless of price, the weather tech flaps do no do the job up front.

You're basing that on how they look to you rather than how they work in real life, right?

Here's a shot of my front mudflap after going through a bunch of mud. I don't see any mud on the side of my Bronco that got through the gap.

Another shot showing the "gap" on clean flaps, right after I installed them, for comparison.

 

[indio22]

Mudflaps seem like something that could be easy to make cheap out of some rubber floor mat or such material? I'm considering that route, because the premade mudflaps I've seen, mainly seem designed for the wider Sas flares.

Edit: looks like some forum members have tried a few homemade options:
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...custom-made-front-mud-flaps-hack-for-9.48133/

 

[Jeffola]

You're basing that on how they look to you rather than how they work in real life, right?

Here's a shot of my front mudflap after going through a bunch of mud. I don't see any mud on the side of my Bronco that got through the gap.

Another shot showing the "gap" on clean flaps, right after I installed them, for comparison.

Well Scott R Nelson, I agree your experience with them looks better than others. they absolutely did what I'd want to them to do. I have also seen (was looking for the posts) folks who used the Weather tech flaps and had a different outcome. I am glad they work for you. I do believe they will have a gap in protection and for that reason I am not going to go with them. Between the varying degree of satisfaction and the fact that I dont care for the they way they look I am still searching. But I thank you for your input, I am amazed they did as well as they did for you.

 

[Ninjak]

I have been looking for mud flaps as well. With the Cooper 37's mud, rocks, everything is being tossed about. It is a bit surprising that mud flaps are so expensive and good ones are hard to come by.

Gaterback has been the best I have seen but for 300+ ????? I will have to pass.

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