Mud flaps vs. side steps for rocks protection?

[3TV]

Rockbloks or other mudflaps help some with mud and slop on the side of you Jeep, but they don't prevent rock chips on the leading edge of your rear fender flares. On gravel roads rocks are thrown up from where the tire contacts the ground. So, draw an imaginary line from the bottom of the front tire to the level of the bottom of the mudflap, and extend that line on past the mudflap and across the Jeep. Everything above that line is going to be protected from rock chips, everything below that line is still vulerable. I'm going to copy and paste LowBama's picture in this thread so you can do the visual. (nice Jeep by the way)

My 392 was the first Jeep I had owned with painted fender flares, so I installed a set of the XL Rock Bloks right away. I got numerous rock chips on the leading edge of the rear fender flares anyway. Then I installed a set of RSE Rocksliders, which completely stopped the rock chip problem. The combination of both does the best job of keeping the Jeep clean, because there is a gap between the step sliders and the front fender flare, and the Rock Bloks prevent mud from being thrown through that gap and up on top of the step sliders.

Rock Bloks are easily removed. When I did the Rubicon Trail last fall I was excited to hit the trail and forgot to remove the mud flaps. In less than half a mile the trail removed them for me.

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[LowBama]

Rockbloks or other mudflaps help some with mud and slop on the side of you Jeep, but they don't prevent rock chips on the leading edge of your rear fender flares. On gravel roads rocks are thrown up from where the tire contacts the ground. So, draw an imaginary line from the bottom of the front tire to the level of the bottom of the mudflap, and extend that line on past the mudflap and across the Jeep. Everything above that line is going to be protected from rock chips, everything below that line is still vulerable. I'm going to copy and paste LowBama's picture in this thread so you can do the visual. (nice Jeep by the way)

When I added the wider XL rock bloks on the front it did help more than the standards.

My 392 was the first Jeep I had owned with painted fender flares, so I installed a set of the XL Rock Bloks right away. I got numerous rock chips on the leading edge of the rear fender flares anyway. Then I installed a set of RSE Rocksliders, which completely stopped the rock chip problem. The combination of both does the best job of keeping the Jeep clean, because there is a gap between the step sliders and the front fender flare, and the Rock Bloks prevent mud from being thrown through that gap and up on top of the step sliders.

Rock Bloks are easily removed. When I did the Rubicon Trail last fall I was excited to hit the trail and forgot to remove the mud flaps. In less than half a mile the trail removed them for me.

 

[Halxen]

...
Rock Bloks are easily removed. When I did the Rubicon Trail last fall I was excited to hit the trail and forgot to remove the mud flaps. In less than half a mile the trail removed them for me.

This cracked me up.

I'm trying to find some comparisons of Rokblockz original vs their newer XL flaps but haven't been able to find a good side-by-side yet.

 

[Opus]

I opted for the MOPAR sidestep when I ordered the Jeep. That first winter I got a lot of slush flung up against the side of the Jeep through the gap between the front fenders and the steps. So, I installed a set of Weathertech flaps in the front. Problem solved. I like the look of the Weathertech over the Rokblockz because it molds better to the Jeep and seems more like an OEM product. I don't do the rock-crawling thing so I haven't had a need to remove them yet.

 

[Flip]

I'm having the same problem. I already have a few little scratches from rocks flipping up. I had talked with some forum members about this awhile back and they said even with mud flaps occasionally rocks would still fly up hitting their jeep. They said a sidestep that filled in the gaps from fender to fender works great. I currently have Rubi Rock Rails and I really don't want sidesteps but I'm actually thinking of installing a plastic sidesteps just to stop the flying rocks, similar to @Wbino has or I'm going with LOD rock rails/side steps.

Ohhhhh, I don't know ?

 

[PA JLUR]

I have front mud flaps, go rhino wide running boards, and I’ve added some clear 3M film on my door hinges to protect against chips. When I pull off of gravel roads, is still hear stones hitting the boards…. That said boards help.

 

[jadmt]

This cracked me up.

I'm trying to find some comparisons of Rokblockz original vs their newer XL flaps but haven't been able to find a good side-by-side yet.

they have a good photo on their website comparing them.

 

[jadmt]

I have done the rubicon trail and dusy ershim (more challenging lots more rocks than the rubicon) and most of the trails in Moab with oem front mud flaps on my JK's and never ripped one off. I can see the back ones having issues but the fronts should just fold up like the front oem on jks.

 

[Gmanjeeper]

Rockbloks or other mudflaps help some with mud and slop on the side of you Jeep, but they don't prevent rock chips on the leading edge of your rear fender flares. On gravel roads rocks are thrown up from where the tire contacts the ground. So, draw an imaginary line from the bottom of the front tire to the level of the bottom of the mudflap, and extend that line on past the mudflap and across the Jeep. Everything above that line is going to be protected from rock chips, everything below that line is still vulerable. I'm going to copy and paste LowBama's picture in this thread so you can do the visual. (nice Jeep by the way)

My 392 was the first Jeep I had owned with painted fender flares, so I installed a set of the XL Rock Bloks right away. I got numerous rock chips on the leading edge of the rear fender flares anyway. Then I installed a set of RSE Rocksliders, which completely stopped the rock chip problem. The combination of both does the best job of keeping the Jeep clean, because there is a gap between the step sliders and the front fender flare, and the Rock Bloks prevent mud from being thrown through that gap and up on top of the step sliders.

Rock Bloks are easily removed. When I did the Rubicon Trail last fall I was excited to hit the trail and forgot to remove the mud flaps. In less than half a mile the trail removed them for me.

Do you also have the recon fender flare extensions? If so, do those also help in terms of preventing rock chips? I just added the RSE step sliders and will probably add the rok block xl mud flaps. (I have the 315 70 17 BFGs). I am wondering if it would also be helpful to add the xr fender flare extensions, especially for when I take it off road and have to remove the mud flaps. I am not really a fan of the XPEL wrap. I had it on a corvette and when a rock hit it it puts a ding in the plastic and looks almost as bad as a rock chip on the paint.

 

[3TV]

Most, if not all of the rocks that are thrown up by the tires are thrown up right from the very bottom of the tire. My Jeep has them, but I personally don't think the XR fender extensions prevent rock chips at all.

 

[LowBama]

Do you also have the recon fender flare extensions? If so, do those also help in terms of preventing rock chips? I just added the RSE step sliders and will probably add the rok block xl mud flaps. (I have the 315 70 17 BFGs). I am wondering if it would also be helpful to add the xr fender flare extensions, especially for when I take it off road and have to remove the mud flaps. I am not really a fan of the XPEL wrap. I had it on a corvette and when a rock hit it it puts a ding in the plastic and looks almost as bad as a rock chip on the paint.

Yes the XR flares help and they are cheap compared to other mods. Eventually I will probably go to the same tire in 38’s and they are a little wider. My current tires are 37 Pats. I had the EXPEL on a Hellcat I had years ago and it was a nightmare it got dirt little by little at the edges and peeled up. I was second owner so no warranty on the job. I tried to have it removed and some of the paint came with it. It was a SNAFU. Aside from the sound I enjoy my Jeep much more.

 

[Gmanjeeper]

Yes the XR flares help and they are cheap compared to other mods. Eventually I will probably go to the same tire in 38’s and they are a little wider. My current tires are 37 Pats. I had the EXPEL on a Hellcat I had years ago and it was a nightmare it got dirt little by little at the edges and peeled up. I was second owner so no warranty on the job. I tried to have it removed and some of the paint came with it. It was a SNAFU. Aside from the sound I enjoy my Jeep much more.

Thanks for your reply. In addition to the XR flares, do you also have the Rokblokz XL mud flaps and the RSE step sliders or something like them? I ran the original size Rokblokz mud flaps before I put either the 315 BFGs or the RSE step sliders on and they seemed to help at least a little. Now, with the BFG 315s I just have the RSE step sliders on and I am strongly leaning towards adding the XL Rokblokz (front only). Not only are they wider than the originals, but my originals have the cutout for the OEM rubicon rails, which, of course, are now removed. I am also leaning towards also adding the XR flares, especially since they may help at least a little in terms of rock chips plus I will remove the Rokblokz when off road. It is only money, right?

 

[LowBama]

Thanks for your reply. In addition to the XR flares, do you also have the Rokblokz XL mud flaps and the RSE step sliders or something like them? I ran the original size Rokblokz mud flaps before I put either the 315 BFGs or the RSE step sliders on and they seemed to help at least a little. Now, with the BFG 315s I just have the RSE step sliders on and I am strongly leaning towards adding the XL Rokblokz (front only). Not only are they wider than the originals, but my originals have the cutout for the OEM rubicon rails, which, of course, are now removed. I am also leaning towards also adding the XR flares, especially since they may help at least a little in terms of rock chips plus I will remove the Rokblokz when off road. It is only money, right?

Yes I have the XR front flaps and the standard rear. The rear have enough adjustment I didn’t the the XRs were needed. I have the Roam slider/steps. I will include a couple pictures where you can see the mud the catch.

 

[84jeepjohn]

This cracked me up.

I'm trying to find some comparisons of Rokblockz original vs their newer XL flaps but haven't been able to find a good side-by-side yet.

just a heads up the XL on an XR jeep (that's a mouthful) is a perfect fit in my oppionion. GRANTED there is a little spot that is cut out (I'll get pics later).
I have RSE sliders and the Rokbloxz on stock 392 XR rims with 315's and get VERY little trash on the sides (or on the rear flare).

 

[Gmanjeeper]

Yes I have the XR front flaps and the standard rear. The rear have enough adjustment I didn’t the the XRs were needed. I have the Roam slider/steps. I will include a couple pictures where you can see the mud the catch.

Thanks again. This is very helpful!

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