I decided to take the running boards off of my 4runner today but when I did there was a definantly noticeable and ugly gap between the plastic flare and the body. I have read other's posts and I see that there are OEM plastic mudflaps/guards that fill in this space. I've searched for some but they run at like $30 a piece coming out to 60 without the shipping...kinda expensive for plastic. For those of you planning to take the runnning boards off, make sure you spray lots of WD-40 2 days before you do this. Also you'll need a 13mm wrench and an 11mm one...I'm sure this is all in the tech section....here are some pics

Here's the side the running boards are still on for a comparison pic....



Noticeably big difference


But the only problem is the gap now.....so I put them back on until I get the mudflaps....


*edit* Anyone know a good site that I can get some...or maybe someone is selling?

 

Just another option, you could get new fender flares.

 

I took the running boards and fender flares off...
I think it looks alot better without both....
Check the market place here,
I am sure someone has alos taken off there stock stuff to put on aftermarkets and are looking to sell there stock stuff....

 

When I took off my running boards I bought the front mudflaps from
trd4u.com.

I think it is also known as toyota of Dallas. I think they were around $60 bucks shipped.

 

I have the exact same exterior and I am taking the running boards next weekend, sucks that you have to buy mud guards, but it is cheaper than new fender flares and way cheaper than paint.

 

I'm also in the same boat. I just removed my running board and I can't find mud flaps to fit my factory fender flares. I tried the trd4u.com as mentioned above and got lost in that crazy website. Went to the dealer and they are no help either.

HELP!

 

Here you go...

MUDGUARD, FR LH
PT41335966PF $24.37

MUDGUARD, FR RH
PT41335966PF $29.24

Those prices are from...
www.toyotapartsales.com 1-866-233-4305

I bought mine at Northridge Toyota...
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72371
www.northridgetoyotaparts.com 818-734-5600

 

I have a set you can have if you are ever in Charleston. Just let me know.

 

Northridge Toyota $30 for the set

 

What?? i paid $30 a piece!

 

So is that northridgetoyotaparts.com. I can just call that number and get that price?

 

Yep. Ask for parts, tell them your a Yotatech memeber and you'd like the 25% discount.
( https://www.yotatech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72371 )

They ship quick. I've ordered a few things in the past.

www.toyotapartsales.com is really good too. It's ran by strap22.

 

I think the ones that are 30 dollars a set are just the rubber mud flap style. You want the molded plastic ones, around 60 bucks shipped. Rockets right though, I got mine at toyotapartsales.com. Just give them a call, That is the easiest way to get ahold of them.

 

you have the bigger fender flares i got the smaller ones and it looks so much better with out the running boards

 

nope, theyre the full plastic ones for those kind of flares. I have them on.

Dont go by those part numbers. For some reason they are more expensive than the ones I got. Just tell them you want flare splash guards for a 97. I wish I had the part numbers but I threw the bags away.

 

Hey I called them and the mud guards are $25.42 for the drivers side and $31.78 for the passenger side. So they do cost about $60, still cheap though.

 

sry wish i could find the part numbers i have.

 

YM13, What did you do about the plastic piece of the flare that hangs down in front of the rear tire? Leave it? Dremel?

 

When you buy the mudflaps they'll continue along the contours of the plastic making it seem like it was like that. Because there a 4runner manufactured without running boards, on those vehicles they put on these mudflaps so that there wouldn't be the plastic piece...i think i'm just gonna put one of those on on each side because running in mud and rocks without mudflaps would probably chip paint.

 

Also, anyone think I should add sliders...I think it would look ok but I don't want the car to have balanced egos...since its stock and then adding a rock slider would kind of throw it into another category...i dunno what do you guys think?