[Nick Gibson]

Hi Guys

I have just come back from a 4x4 weekend with some of my mates who drove a 2011 GX Prado and a 2010 d4d Fortuner – all of us bog standard- no mods. I was looking forward to this weekend for a long time, I even fabricated a belly plate to protect the piping/and vulnerable stuff under the Paj.

The fortuner had exactly the same tyres as I have crappy general grabbers that I got the vehicle with. Of all of the obstacles, I came across the worst, with the Prado faring best with articulation and ground clearance. I snagged every one of my plastic mud guards on the drop-off after rock that I drove over, and bumped my petrol tank and tore off a section of my rear bumper around my removable tow hitch. The Fortuner has black plastic flexible mudflaps that just bent out of the way when scraped over a rock, and the Prado did not have any, and did not touch either.

Is there anyone who has the same problem? I was thinking of carefully trimming the offending piece of plastic off and fitting rubber mud flaps fabricated out of conveyor belt? Suggestions would be most welcome. I have already thought of lifting the vehicle, I have Gabriel HDP’s with lift the front 30mm, but need to consider spacers to lift more.

[Davidvan]

Hi Nick,

Never lekker when there is some damage to your vehicle. My flaps look the same, and usually only catch on high dropoffs or ridges. Haven't found a good way to trim based on the mud flap design. I have added protection plates for most of the under carriage. I saw you mentioned you bumped your tank, may be good to get that checked. I chose larger tyres, air bags for rear and spaacers to reduce this from happening. I touch a lot less now on the belly. And with front sppacers still to be fitted I am expecting +- 250 to 260mm ground clearance - hopefully more.

See here for the details on the spacer which I am sure you have been watching in any case https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/sh ... p?t=102986

Cheers

David

[andrew.ashton]

Hi Nick, David,

Firstly, sorry to hear you damaged your Paj, Nick.

I have also been looking at how to reduce the risk of breaking the downward protruding bits of tupperware.

Found this tonight on ExpeditionPortal: Cut off mudguards so thought I would pass the link on to you.

[Davidvan]

Thanks Andrew,

Not sure if I am ready to start cutting, at least not yet, will reduce the mudflap and increase the tupper rash from stones and trailer rash as well. Thanks for sharing the link, never seen that site before, gonna keep me busy for a little while.

On a different note, I see you have got some amazing pics o Mana and Kariba on your Flickr profile.

Cheers

David

[andrew.ashton]

Hi David,

Yes, the fear of cutting the tupperware is what is holding me back - if I could get hold of some damaged ones for nothing I would be happy to do a bit of research. One of the interesting things I have seen on some of the aussie sites is using a stainless steel wire mesh instead of a rubber for mud flap.

That is then heavy enough to hang down but flexible enough to bend and provides less wind resistance while still keeping gravel down.

Thanks for the comment re Mana and Kariba pics - Zim is a great 4x4 destination - went there 2010 and 2011 - going to try Kosi Bay area then Moz coast then Limpopo Transfrontier and back through Kruger this year.

[4ePikanini]

For those interested, I have a standard GLX gen3 front bumper for sale. It's a 2001 model so it has the rectangular vents where the fog lights usually sit.

Make me an offer if interested.

Sent via iPad & Forum Runner

[Lock]

Hi Nick
Mine have also taken a beating over the years. Your Pajero does seem to be sitting a bit low (might just be the photo..) Recently compared my clearance with a newer model and found it to be 3-4 cm lower! Sagging suspension Lifting spacers on order from Uys

[Nick Gibson]

A gen 3 faclift stopped on site yesterday and saw that the mudflap design has changed from the original Gen 3 that I have. Looks like Mitsu saw the design flaw and changed it. I wonder if I can retrofit the wheelarch, as it is not a two piece as my paj has?

[CATS]

It can probably be retrofitted but it will be very costly.

I will rather cut the bottom part off and get Lynx 4x4 ro build you a rockslider sidestep that runs the full lenght. I cut my front ones as they were very tatty and when I had the sliders made at Org( No longer making them before you ask) I asked him to cut further and put the sliders full lenght, but he refused as he felt inadequate as panelbeater . Still looks good I think? As you can see I also fitted longer rubber flaps for those Namibian gravel touring.




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[Nick Gibson]

Hi CATS

Your option looks like a good idea, with trimming and hanging rubber mudflap. Can you post some close-up pics of where and how you cut the plastic flap??

Much appreciated!