Rant
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, Mo.
It sounds like you'd probably just rip mudflaps off. And the 3m film won't do anything about the mud-caked doorhandles.
If you're going to stick with the JK, the stock sidesteps are your answer, assuming you don't wheel hard enough to bust them on rocks, and it doesn't sound like you do.
I got a pair because I didn't like grabbing a handful of road gunk everytime I opened the door last winter. They'll protect your door and hinge paint. End of story.
That said, I think the TJs fender flairs look like a better design. That horizontal extension behind the wheel well looks like it would deflect the majority of projectiles. But
we don't have TJs, do we?
If you're going to stick with the JK, the stock sidesteps are your answer, assuming you don't wheel hard enough to bust them on rocks, and it doesn't sound like you do.
I got a pair because I didn't like grabbing a handful of road gunk everytime I opened the door last winter. They'll protect your door and hinge paint. End of story.
That said, I think the TJs fender flairs look like a better design. That horizontal extension behind the wheel well looks like it would deflect the majority of projectiles. But
we don't have TJs, do we?
JK Super Freak
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
I'm not going to jump on your complaint BUT it's not a design flaw either.
It is what it is...
Big tires with huge tread for traction (guessing the reason you bought the jeep to begin with) that stick out from the side of the vehicle...
Come on. Turn the steering wheel a bit and you can see that whatever it is that the tires are gripping that is loose WILL be shooting skyward. Any 4X4 vehicle with big, wide, heavy treaded front tires have this issue unless they have fender flares two feet wide.
You can't have it both ways... You have a vehicle that can deal with the crap that is your road and some dings will happen because of it. I have heard LOTS of preventitive measures offered up on this thread that should do the trick. At least to minimize the damage or mud throwing.
As far as trying to get the dealership to fix the scratches and dings for free because you just think they should... Lame
Good luck with the fixes and love your Jeep. Remember your rant the first foot of snow that you can drive right out of, get food and take care of your kids because of your Jeep.
It is what it is...
Big tires with huge tread for traction (guessing the reason you bought the jeep to begin with) that stick out from the side of the vehicle...
Come on. Turn the steering wheel a bit and you can see that whatever it is that the tires are gripping that is loose WILL be shooting skyward. Any 4X4 vehicle with big, wide, heavy treaded front tires have this issue unless they have fender flares two feet wide.
You can't have it both ways... You have a vehicle that can deal with the crap that is your road and some dings will happen because of it. I have heard LOTS of preventitive measures offered up on this thread that should do the trick. At least to minimize the damage or mud throwing.
As far as trying to get the dealership to fix the scratches and dings for free because you just think they should... Lame
Good luck with the fixes and love your Jeep. Remember your rant the first foot of snow that you can drive right out of, get food and take care of your kids because of your Jeep.
Last edited by Dylanjam77; Dec 18, 2008 at 05:22 PM.
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 590
Likes: 1
From: Madison, CT
All I can suggest is take the road a lot slower so you don't kick up as much crap. I still remember my dealer telling me to take a ball peen hammer and pick a spot and hit it...that way the cherry is popped. I cringed the first dent I got and now I just smile and think of which dent/pin stripe came from what excursion 
Now thats Jeeper friendly dealer i will bet!
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Charleston AR
Just this one
All previous rigs have had a little come up and spray, for example the bumper and the rocker panel. The angle of spray off the tires is like 15° coming off the tire. It's what I would expect for normal. All recent vehicles have a special treatment for the paint in this area as it was anticipated. Like the 95 Dodge has impact coating from the factory on the rockers and the rear fender between the wheel well and the bumper. Same for the Hyundai Sante Fe. But this Jeep built for off road has no provision (for wheel mud) but great rock and structure protection. It sprays at a 45° angle and has hinges and door handles (and body panels) that are in the path.
A light came on when someone mentioned that these vehicles have the design 'feature'where wheels are more outside of the body versus within the body and it is a unique Jeep feature. I get that. It's a jeep thing. Would I rather the wheels were under the body and no spray? No way; I like the look and the function.
I will put on flaps for now and buy Sahara side steps to add later, or who knows maybe the flaps won't get sucked in this rig.
It sure would be nice if I could have my cake and eat it too (I.E. this never came up because Jeep figured out something that could have been built in and not impacted off road capability)
A light came on when someone mentioned that these vehicles have the design 'feature'where wheels are more outside of the body versus within the body and it is a unique Jeep feature. I get that. It's a jeep thing. Would I rather the wheels were under the body and no spray? No way; I like the look and the function.
I will put on flaps for now and buy Sahara side steps to add later, or who knows maybe the flaps won't get sucked in this rig.
It sure would be nice if I could have my cake and eat it too (I.E. this never came up because Jeep figured out something that could have been built in and not impacted off road capability)
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Charleston AR
Ditto
It sounds like you'd probably just rip mudflaps off. And the 3m film won't do anything about the mud-caked doorhandles.
If you're going to stick with the JK, the stock sidesteps are your answer, assuming you don't wheel hard enough to bust them on rocks, and it doesn't sound like you do.
I got a pair because I didn't like grabbing a handful of road gunk everytime I opened the door last winter. They'll protect your door and hinge paint. End of story.
That said, I think the TJs fender flairs look like a better design. That horizontal extension behind the wheel well looks like it would deflect the majority of projectiles. But we don't have TJs, do we?
If you're going to stick with the JK, the stock sidesteps are your answer, assuming you don't wheel hard enough to bust them on rocks, and it doesn't sound like you do.
I got a pair because I didn't like grabbing a handful of road gunk everytime I opened the door last winter. They'll protect your door and hinge paint. End of story.
That said, I think the TJs fender flairs look like a better design. That horizontal extension behind the wheel well looks like it would deflect the majority of projectiles. But
we don't have TJs, do we?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, AB
I'm sure if you don't want to do it yourself you can get it done at Ziebart or somewhere equivalent.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Biloxi, MS
Jack
You must live in town. I'm not talking about a little dirt flying up, I'm talking taking the kids to school and can't get them out of the back because it's 1/2" thick on the side of the jeep. The handles are blobs of mud. There is absolutely no attempt at blocking the flying mud from the wheels at all. period. I have had , do have and have always had a 4wd rig in my fleet. Getting stuck is a common thing in just getting to where our family goes in our regular routine. I love this Jeep. I think it is awesome as far as capabilities but mud flaps suck. In snow and sleet the stuff builds up and it gets sucked into the tire. I have them on my truck (molded like Im getting for the Rubi) and I had to drill holes in them so I could tie them back after the muck built up in them and sucked them in. I just think a little more thought could have been put in towards keeping this off the body. It is not a badge of coolness for me to show up at the kids school play with mud dripping off the everything just trying to get there. then take them home and try getting them out without touching anything brown, forget it.
You must live in town. I'm not talking about a little dirt flying up, I'm talking taking the kids to school and can't get them out of the back because it's 1/2" thick on the side of the jeep. The handles are blobs of mud. There is absolutely no attempt at blocking the flying mud from the wheels at all. period. I have had , do have and have always had a 4wd rig in my fleet. Getting stuck is a common thing in just getting to where our family goes in our regular routine. I love this Jeep. I think it is awesome as far as capabilities but mud flaps suck. In snow and sleet the stuff builds up and it gets sucked into the tire. I have them on my truck (molded like Im getting for the Rubi) and I had to drill holes in them so I could tie them back after the muck built up in them and sucked them in. I just think a little more thought could have been put in towards keeping this off the body. It is not a badge of coolness for me to show up at the kids school play with mud dripping off the everything just trying to get there. then take them home and try getting them out without touching anything brown, forget it.
You live down a road that is muddy and getting stuck is common. Then you turn around and blame jeep for some damages because of this. Sorry, does not fly in my book.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Charleston AR
