Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
DIY mud flap brackets?
Forum Index -> Vanagon Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
airkooledchris
Samba Member


Joined: January 25, 2005
Posts: 2700

airkooledchris is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:29 pm    Post subject: DIY mud flap brackets? Reply with quote

Has anyone ever found a way to use generic mud flaps on a vanagon?

With so many inexpensive non-stock mudflaps out there, it seems there should be a way to just get some brackets for mounting them Vs the kind that you butcher into the side of the body of the van.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
ddonnell
Samba Member


Joined: September 04, 2007
Posts: 373
Location: Sunset Beach
ddonnell is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hate to be 'that' guy, but...


I just asked that question.....


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3581174#3581174
_________________
1990 Vanagon Carat-SOLD
1995 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 V10
1966 Baja "The Beast"

instagram #bajabugproject
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Classifieds Feedback
airkooledchris
Samba Member


Joined: January 25, 2005
Posts: 2700

airkooledchris is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

unfortunately with a thread title like that it's going to be hard to get much additional feedback if the few that were curious enough to click didn't get you enough info to go off of.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
climberjohn
Samba Member


Joined: January 11, 2005
Posts: 1840
Location: Portland Orygun
climberjohn is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Okay, another Thread from the Dead!

(Hee, hee, I just made that up. Pretty funny name for a revived thread, don't you think?

I just did this, so I wanted to past. It always irked me that four generic mudflaps from the FLAPS cost a mere for $20, but the "official" VW ones were $150 for a set of four! Ouch!

So, I installed the generic ones. They have a nice mountain on them, suitable for an occasional climbing base camp van like this one.

Front right detail
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Rear right detail
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


The mudflaps came with black self drilling sheet metal screws. I used 3 on each one to secure to the fender lip.

I made a bracket for the rear mudflaps out of 3/4 inch wide aluminum stock from the local hardware store, about $4 for a 4 foot length. See photo for details. It's reasonably secure. It has a 90 degree bend in it, made with pliers and a vise.

Rear bracket detail
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I mounted the fronts with a 3" x 1/4" machine screw, 3 lock nuts, and 2 fender washers. I drilled a 1/4 hole into the space of the jack mount. The fronts feel very secure.

Front mounting detail
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


- I added a bead of heavy duty silicone all around the flap to try and keep water away from the screws and holes.
- The bottom of the flaps hang about 7 inches from the ground.
- Stainless steel hardware used throughout.
- Best Tip: Use needle nose vise grip pliers or spring clamps to hold mudflap in the proper place while you mark the exact location with fine tip sharpie pen and maybe some tick marks with tape.
- Important: If you use too long a screw, it may rub on your front tire when you turn! This is BAD! Check this carefully before driving and shorten screw with a hacksaw if needed. (Ask me how I know this . . .)

Overall, a fun and easy project! Now I can save my $$$ for new springs . . .

Left side:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


-CJ
_________________
'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.


Last edited by climberjohn on Mon Jan 31, 2011 3:03 pm; edited 3 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
buspor63
Samba Member


Joined: February 17, 2005
Posts: 1179
Location: Knoxville,TN Where America stops for gas
buspor63 is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I like it! Good work around for a too $$$$$ add on.
_________________
Imagine that, theres not an "h" in either Westfalia or Syncro?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
MichaelRpdx
Samba Member


Joined: September 21, 2010
Posts: 146
Location: Portland, OR
MichaelRpdx is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 12:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

climberjohn wrote:
Okay, another Thread from the Dead!

(Hee, hee, I just made that up. Pretty funny name for a revived thread, don't you think?

But if it's revived is it still dead? It's not...not...gasp...Zombie thread?

climberjohn wrote:

- Stainless steel hardware used throughout.


Which raises the question: did you spend more on stainless nuts, bolts and washers than you did on the FLAPS flaps?
_________________
Michael in PDX
Sauntering around with Frances, a red 89 Westy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Timwhy
Samba Member


Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 3996
Location: Maine
Timwhy is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Those mountain flaps are the same ones that I used to repair my propane mudflap
that the PO had duct taped to keep from falling off. I applied my own VW sticker to it.
Heftsmerf don't read this post it mentions some STICKERS!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
jamowmow
Samba Member


Joined: October 03, 2017
Posts: 2
Location: Burien, WA
jamowmow is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Oct 10, 2017 10:34 am    Post subject: Re: DIY mud flap brackets? Reply with quote

@climberjohn, great idea and thanks for the detailed walkthrough! This is next on my list.
_________________
83 Westy, the last of the Air-Cooled
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Jeffrey Lee
Samba Member


Joined: February 04, 2014
Posts: 1488
Location: Wisconsin
Jeffrey Lee is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Oct 10, 2017 8:22 pm    Post subject: Re: DIY mud flap brackets? Reply with quote

When I replaced the left-front mudflap that protects the Westfalia propane tank, I bought one of these decals to jazz it up.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


My significant other vetoed the proposal so now Mudflap Girl is on my file cabinet ...
_________________
Camp Westfalia
Camping Tips • Newsletter • Cool Campervan Apparel
www.CampWestfalia.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
IdahoDoug
Samba Member


Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10239
Location: N. Idaho
IdahoDoug is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Oct 10, 2017 10:38 pm    Post subject: Re: DIY mud flap brackets? Reply with quote

I don't need any mudflaps, but I had to check in to say that's a pretty good mudflap girl in several notable updates from the original seen all over the southern USA. My one complaint is that her arms look bigger than mine.
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.