In Washington
State it is a state law that all vehicles must have "anti-spray"
devices installed while operating a motor vehicle on the highways. My Cherokee
never came with "Mud Flaps" but ever since I started running 33 inch
tires I have been pulled over about three times for not having
"anti-spray" devices. The last time I was pulled over I finally
received a "warning ticket that required me to fix the problem otherwise I
would get a heavy fine.
Summit Off-Road
has the perfect solution to my problem. The Quick-Release XJ Mud Flaps will keep
me legal and I can remove them for heavy off-roading-the best of both worlds!
I've been very happy with the Rock Rails Summit Off-Road makes, so I was excited
to try the mud-flaps out. Why would you want to remove Mud Flaps? When I'm
driving over rocks and up inclines the flaps drag along the ground and come
dangerously close to my rear tires. The possibility of literally driving on them
exist which would break the mounting system. It only takes three seconds to
remove the flaps, so I eliminate the worry.
They arrived in a
single box complete with black mud flaps, two brackets, two mounts, and six
bolts. The brackets and mounts are grey powder coated to resist rust. I was very
pleased with the craftsmanship right away.
The install
consisted of mounting the bracket on the outside of the shackle box. I started
on the passenger side. There is already one hole drilled for some unknown
reason, but the first bolt can use this hole as seen in the photo.
After I secured the single bolt I installed the mud- flap to make sure the
bracket was level. As soon as this is determined you can go ahead and drill the
second and third holes to complete the bracket installation.
The drivers side
shackle box has a gas tank hose bracket that needs to be removed.
It is held on by four bolts and if you have a trailor hitch it may require some
back and forth jerking to get the bracket lip out from between the frame and
trailor hitch brackets. I just wiggled it back and forth with some vice-grips
and it came out. Be careful at this point because several clumps of
gas-saturated dirt fell all over the place once the bracket was out. Be sure to
re-install the bracket as it protects the fuel hoses from being damaged, and it
keeps dirt and mud from clustering around the gas cap.
The drivers side
bracket installs in the identical manner of the passenger side. Remember to make
sure the bracket is level with the mud-flap intalled before you drill the second
and third holes. .
I never thought I would think much of mud flaps but I'm very pleased with the
fit and function of Summit Off-Road's XJ Quick-Release Mud Flaps. I went a step
further and bought some "CAT-Diesel Power" mud flaps which I cut down
to match my tire width. Any of the large semi-truck style flaps will bolt to the
the mounts so I found that to be an advantage. In an upcoming article I will
display the CAT flaps but I don't a photo of them currently. You can see from
the photo that mud flaps Summit Off-Road includes cover the width of my
12.5" BFG tires.
Now I don't have
to be harrassed by the state patrol anymore, and fellow motorist will be pleased
when I pass them on rainy days. Another advantage of rear mud flaps is that they
will prevent rocks from being thrown directly into a boat and trailor I may be
towing. I know trailors really get chipped up from driving on graveled roads and
these will prevent some damage. Visit Summit Off-Road at http://www.summitoffroad.com
for current pricing.
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