large mud guards

19Sierra · June 2, 2020

12 minutes ago, Jbird905 said:

Actually, no, you do have to drill into metal once per guard as well. So four total if putting on front and rear. I didn't think of that when writing yesterday because you can get to that spot with a drill and wheel on. I drilled into the metal and used some touch up paint and super lube in the area. But if you are worried about corrosion from it, you might want to take into account that the guards use metal U nuts, which could potentially move around and scratch the paint a little over time too.

Ok thank you, I was more concerned about the uncoated drill shavings dropping into the fender but it appears that the bottom portion of the fender isn't sealed to trap them. I live in the rust belt where salt is over used on the roads in the winter. I guess i could use some zinc cold galv touch up if I decide to go that route.

Jbird905 · June 2, 2020

1 hour ago, 19Sierra said:

Ok thank you, I was more concerned about the uncoated drill shavings dropping into the fender but it appears that the bottom portion of the fender isn't sealed to trap them. I live in the rust belt where salt is over used on the roads in the winter. I guess i could use some zinc cold galv touch up if I decide to go that route.

Yeah, I understand. Maybe you could skip the U nuts and use some rubber washers and lock nuts instead? Something like that. I think that spot is pretty hidden on the underside.

Of course, others have mentioned the no drill Weathertech ones... that's probably a good route. I don't know anything about those but do like these GMC ones. They are about as wide as the tires. What a concept!

19Sierra · June 2, 2020

1 hour ago, Jbird905 said:

Yeah, I understand. Maybe you could skip the U nuts and use some rubber washers and lock nuts instead? Something like that. I think that spot is pretty hidden on the underside.

Of course, others have mentioned the no drill Weathertech ones... that's probably a good route. I don't know anything about those but do like these GMC ones. They are about as wide as the tires. What a concept!

Too bad they couldnt make them a direct bolt on replacement that uses the same hole layout as the smaller factory ones. I ordered them but I'm still not sold on the look yet, will decide once I get them and hold them up and see. I have the offroad side steps and after one winter the paint was all chipped up in the front.

Jbird905 · June 2, 2020

2 hours ago, 19Sierra said:

Too bad they couldnt make them a direct bolt on replacement that uses the same hole layout as the smaller factory ones. I ordered them but I'm still not sold on the look yet, will decide once I get them and hold them up and see. I have the offroad side steps and after one winter the paint was all chipped up in the front.

I wasn't sure about the look either but like them now. Plus for me, it's the function that really matters since I am on dirt all the time. I cannot keep a truck clean and the tires definitely throw mud and rocks. Attached a picture of how mine looks with them.

Isn't it funny how loud the offroad steps are when rocks hit them? Love them though.

19Sierra · June 2, 2020

1 hour ago, Jbird905 said:

I wasn't sure about the look either but like them now. Plus for me, it's the function that really matters since I am on dirt all the time. I cannot keep a truck clean and the tires definitely throw mud and rocks. Attached a picture of how mine looks with them.

Isn't it funny how loud the offroad steps are when rocks hit them? Love them though.

Truck looks good! Do the front guards come to the bottom of the off road steps? Hard to tell in the picture.

Jbird905 · June 3, 2020

15 hours ago, 19Sierra said:

Truck looks good! Do the front guards come to the bottom of the off road steps? Hard to tell in the picture.

Yes they do. I took a picture to show you but it was terrible and I deleted it, sorry. But I think they actually go slightly below the steps.

spenpet · June 3, 2020

21 hours ago, 19Sierra said:

Too bad they couldnt make them a direct bolt on replacement that uses the same hole layout as the smaller factory ones. I ordered them but I'm still not sold on the look yet, will decide once I get them and hold them up and see. I have the offroad side steps and after one winter the paint was all chipped up in the front.

Go with WeatherTech...they are awesome, no drilling required!

19Sierra · June 3, 2020

1 hour ago, spenpet said:

Go with WeatherTech...they are awesome, no drilling required!

You have a picture of the weathertechs installed?

spenpet · June 3, 2020

31 minutes ago, 19Sierra said:

You have a picture of the weathertechs installed?

yep, my profile pic has them...but here you go...

Jbird905 · June 3, 2020

26 minutes ago, spenpet said:

yep, my profile pic has them...but here you go...

You sir, know how to make black look amazing!

Before this morning, I honestly had never seen the Weathertechs. I have to say, their installation is great. Not sure why GM can't do that. On a personal preference note, I like the look, style and function of the GM ones a bit better though. Seems like you cannot go wrong with either, except the drilling part.

spenpet · June 3, 2020

10 minutes ago, Jbird905 said:

You sir, know how to make black look amazing!

Before this morning, I honestly had never seen the Weathertechs. I have to say, their installation is great. Not sure why GM can't do that. On a personal preference note, I like the look, style and function of the GM ones a bit better though. Seems like you cannot go wrong with either, except the drilling part.

Thanks. It only looks like that for a couple days and the tree sap and dust get to it! haha!

I would say I agree with you on the look and style (being personal preference so cant argue if you like the GM's better) but on function, I would respectfully disagree...the WeatherTechs are wider and longer than the GM versions...so I would respectfully say the functionality is better with the WeatherTech...

however, I also agree...personal preference...they both work...just a matter of which one you like better...

Jbird905 · June 3, 2020

27 minutes ago, spenpet said:

Thanks. It only looks like that for a couple days and the tree sap and dust get to it! haha!

I would say I agree with you on the look and style (being personal preference so cant argue if you like the GM's better) but on function, I would respectfully disagree...the WeatherTechs are wider and longer than the GM versions...so I would respectfully say the functionality is better with the WeatherTech...

however, I also agree...personal preference...they both work...just a matter of which one you like better...

That's good info about the function. I did not know that and probably shouldn't have said that. Had no idea they are wider, that's cool. On the longer part - are they more pliable than GM, so if they hit the ground, they give?

It's nice to be able to share info and opinions here without it turning into a mudslinging fest, like seems to happen too often on the forum now days. And yes, lol, I did make that pun.

spenpet · June 3, 2020

slinin' mud is ok...sometimes! haha!

yeah, they have some give and flex to them (when needed) but don't waffle in the wind when driving down the hw...i cannot attest to their durability if you are axle deep ... however, if you are on a muddy road and kind of bounce around from pot hole to rut, yes they flex...

19Sierra · June 3, 2020

Truck looks good! I know what you mean about a black truck only looking that clean for a couple days. It's a battle keeping my black 86 k10 dust free and it lives Inside all the time. Lol I appreciate all the pictures from you guys. I think I'm gonna mock up the gm ones when they come in and see how i like them and decide from there. Thanks

Trza · June 4, 2020

I was close to ordering the stock smaller mud flaps but the larger splash gaurds have grown on me. I can see how they flow with truck and obviously, you can't beat the OEM fit. I had to remove the stock fender brackets and used zip ties to tie them back to avoid the rubbing. If you need to do some mods to fit your wheels, the plastic was really easy to heat up and work with.

They are probably the perfect width for my +1 offset wheels. I don't have the running boards and so far, they have done a great job of protecting the side of the truck from rock chips.