Mud Flaps and Runningboards Oh My

[miclri]

I'm not convinced I need mud flaps or runningboards on my Sierra Z71. Some have suggested that they will protect the rocker panels.

 

I have the wheel flares and think the mud flaps redundant. The runningboards an affectation. I intend to keep this truck for at least 10 years.

 

Opinions?

[Stepside Z]

I had BFGs on my 01 Z71 and after a couple of months noticed alot of chips on the rocker panels. If I had kept the truck I was going to have line-X sprayed on the rockers to provide better protection.

[RyanbabZ71]

id say the mudflaps help but they dont even catch everything.  My rear rockers are getting eaten up by rocks being thrown up.  I also have fender flares along with mudflaps

[Shaners]

The more protection you have the better you are...   I'm not a running board fan, but that will give you the best protection for your rockers.

 

Mudflaps on the rears with maybe 3-4" of rubber screwed to the bottom will save your rear quarters.  Also alot of rocks will get thrown up from the rear tires into the rear bumper and will booger up your rear roll pan...

[carguru]

I put the mud guards on mine.  The stock F'stones picks up a lot of rocks.  The flares will protect the fender edges, but will not protect the lower parts of the rocker panels.

[miclri]

I took a look at ryanbabZ71's photos (blue is definately a cool color) and have decided that the Husky mud flaps are the way to go. I still dunno about the running boards.

 

I guess the question would be tube, aluminum, or fiberglass? I like the looks of the tubes but they don't look like they would provide much protection. Aluminum is cheaper and pehaps more durable than fiberglass. The fiberglass might look best.

 

Spraying the rockers with Line-X is an interesting option I had not considered. Hmmm...

 

So many decisions.

[RyanbabZ71]

One thing to think about is running boards can cause rust.  My mom had an 87 blazer with black running boards (looked sharp) but salt would get between the bords and truck and eventually they started to cause the truck to rust.  I wanted to take em off but was scared to see what was under them.  We have since sold it.

[E!]

I have smittybilt step rails and aluminum diamond mud flaps on my 92 s-10 blazer .

 

The step rails really dont do anything since it is so low to the ground but the mud flaps really protect the areas behind the tires

[TheScaryGuy]

I'm not a running board fan, but that will give you the best protection for your rockers.

 

Does more harm than good up here, just another spot for salt to get lodged into and eat your vehicle quicker.

[99silveradoz71]

my 92 Jimmy had integrated flares/boards and I'll second or third what others are saying.  When I traded it in for the Rado, the places where rust was starting were over the fenders near the flares, as well as the tailgate like most of that era.