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airkooledchris Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2005 Posts: 2707
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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:29 pm Post subject: DIY mud flap brackets? |
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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. |
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ddonnell Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2007 Posts: 373 Location: Sunset Beach
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airkooledchris Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2005 Posts: 2707
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Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:01 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:35 am Post subject: |
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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
Rear right detail
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
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
- 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 $$$ for new springs . . .
Left side:
-CJ _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.
Last edited by climberjohn on Mon Jan 31, 2011 3:03 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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buspor63 Samba Member
Joined: February 17, 2005 Posts: 1179 Location: Knoxville,TN Where America stops for gas
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Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:06 pm Post subject: |
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I like it! Good work around for a too $$$$$ add on. _________________ Imagine that, theres not an "h" in either Westfalia or Syncro? |
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MichaelRpdx Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2010 Posts: 146 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 12:06 am Post subject: |
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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 |
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Timwhy Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 4002 Location: Maine
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jamowmow Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2017 Posts: 2 Location: Burien, WA
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Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2017 10:34 am Post subject: Re: DIY mud flap brackets? |
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@climberjohn, great idea and thanks for the detailed walkthrough! This is next on my list. _________________ 83 Westy, the last of the Air-Cooled |
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Jeffrey Lee Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2014 Posts: 1488 Location: Wisconsin
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Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2017 8:22 pm Post subject: Re: DIY mud flap brackets? |
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When I replaced the left-front mudflap that protects the Westfalia propane tank, I bought one of these decals to jazz it up.
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 |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10248 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2017 10:38 pm Post subject: Re: DIY mud flap brackets? |
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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 |
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