OEM Ford Splash Guard modification for use with rock rails [updated with template]

[ColeTrain84]

I'm gonna order mine and instead of cut them I'm going to use a heat gun to heat up the plastic and press it up against the rock rails to mold the flap around the end of the rock rail. Good idea though as well.

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[WClintM]

Thanks for this thread. Where did you purchase the OEM splash guards? Are these the Ford ones or another manufacturer? Can you provide a part number or link?

M2DZ-16A550-AA

 

[iradi8]

OK, here's the secret template. The way he's doing these is simple and accounts for mounting variation between vehicles.

The template is pushed over the end of the board, mud flap installed on vehicle then the template is taped to the flap, flap removed and can then be cut. It's slightly undersize to the finished hole but has worked well for the two we've done.

This is much cheaper than buying anything else!

 

[WClintM]

OK i know i will be asking a lot, but would it be possible for you to remove a front flap and take a picture of it or a do a template, i bet a few of us would be ready to pay for the trouble. I know i would.

I’ll try to get to it next week. Leaving this evening for the Vegas Off-Roadeo.

 

[jonesh242]

You beat me to it. The wood burner/multitip tool will get this done easily. I've used these for stippling firearms. I'm guessing it will melt through that plastic like butter.

 

[vrewald14]

Honestly I think the best approach would be to actually trim back the rock rail itself.

The odds of you needing extra coverage of the rock rail in that area with mud flaps in place is zero, it will look better, and you then have mud flaps without a hole in them

Maybe a little more work upfront but probably worth it.

 

[faziorf]

This is much cheaper than buying anything else!

Heck I may just use that as the mud flap....

 

[mrdibbles]

Hey There,
I just called WeatherTech at (800)-441-6287 and spoke with a Customer Service Agent. She confirmed that they do not presently make a Splash Guard / Mud Flap for a 2021 Ford Bronco but she did confirm they are forthcoming. I asked her if she can see when they will be available and she was able to see the following in the notes:

- Front Splash Guards / Mud Flaps = ETA of 2-3 Weeks (*from 11-11-21)
- Rear Splash Guards / Mud Flaps = ETA of 6-8 Weeks (*from 11-11-21)

The notes did not indicate fitment information for Sasquatch or Standard or any other details such as Rock Rails etc. Just Year, Make, and Model.

Perhaps this is a good sign. When I got my 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon (with rock rails) it took them a while but they did eventually make the Splash Guard to accommodate the rock rails. In that the flap was not cut through but the plastic was molded to contour the rock rail when installed. I was very happy with them and I'll likely be holding out for the same for the Badlands w/ SAS.

I can't promise the above is going to happen but sharing what the WeatherTech agent explained to me when I asked for forward looking forecast of availability.
Thanks,
Matt

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

Honestly I think the best approach would be to actually trim back the rock rail itself.

The odds of you needing extra coverage of the rock rail in that area with mud flaps in place is zero, it will look better, and you then have mud flaps without a hole in them

Maybe a little more work upfront but probably worth it.

Hmm, cut steel $500 rock rails or $45 mud flaps???

 

[vrewald14]

Hmm, cut steel $500 rock rails or $45 mud flaps???

The component value difference may be real, but so is the jank-ass appearance of mud flaps with holes in them. Not to mention the loss of primary function... which is to not let mud through.

I think better overall appearance and integration can be achieved by trimming the sliders. Not everyone has the skills/tools to do this cleanly so it's not an option for everyone. But for those who can...

 

[Binky]

Mudflaps and sliders really aren't compatible together on any vehicle.

Picture this... while going over rocks, the mudflap folds back and is now pinched between the rock and rock slider, the mudflap is now sliding on the rock slider and slowly gets torn off...

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

Mudflaps and sliders really aren't compatible together on any vehicle.

Picture this... while going over rocks, the mudflap folds back and is now pinched between the rock and rock slider, the mudflap is now sliding on the rock slider and slowly gets torn off...

True - however it depends on how often you are on the rocks. My take would be run the mud flaps for rock chip protection and take them off when you are preparing for crawling.

Of course we also know the rock rails don't offer the same protection sliders do, so they are likely getting swapped out anyway. And those slider may offer the rock chip protection needed anyway.

 

[Southern Girl]

It's a highly precise, technical, piece of cardboard. LOL. I need to have my warehouse pull a front set and talk to the tech who made it.

Yes, please! I like technical cardboard1

 

[Southern Girl]

@flip

So you are just cutting a hole for the step?

 

[sledboy]

Just installed ours today. It was a little bit of work cutting the holes in the right place but got'er done. It's a shame that Ford doesn't offer a set of these that are compatible with the rock rails.

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