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climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 11:52 am Post subject: Vanagon mud flaps: $8 to $160 a set? |
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I want to get some mud flaps (4) for my van.
A quick price check:
Go We$ty: $160
Van cafe: $156
Google shopping search "vanagon mud flaps": about $8!
WTF!?!?!?
Why are the vendor flaps so expensive?
Has anyone use the $4 a pair ones? If yes, please share your thoughts.
I normally like to support our vendors, but man, to pay $160 for a set when I could get pretty much the same thing for $8 just ain't right.
-CJ _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15129 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 11:54 am Post subject: |
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Might be a differance from molded OEM VW to Generic squares of rubber? _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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Volksaholic Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2005 Posts: 1771 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:05 pm Post subject: |
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Sounds like you can't go wrong ordering the generic set. If they look like crap, return them. If they look good, install them. If they only last a year, upgrade to the OEM version.
pd _________________ 1988 Wolfsburg Edition, 2001 Subaru EJ251 |
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:17 pm Post subject: |
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John, the difference is likely OEM flaps from SA molded to fit the van versus generic rubber flaps that require lots of reshaping and still never look quite right. But if you go the inexpensive route, try to find some with Yosemite Sam saying Back Off - I always kinda liked those. _________________ '85 Westy |
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aquaboxa Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2009 Posts: 96 Location: Upstate NY
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:20 pm Post subject: |
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I believe the difference is that molded OEM vanagon mud flaps don't actually flap. The cheap ones will be flappy rubber. _________________ '89 Vanagon Bluestar
a.k.a. "The Bermuda Rectangle" |
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tozovr Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2009 Posts: 547 Location: York, ME
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:00 pm Post subject: |
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aquaboxa wrote: |
I believe the difference is that molded OEM vanagon mud flaps don't actually flap. The cheap ones will be flappy rubber. |
I have OE Wolfsburg flaps up front and they're not molded/Rigid. The SA Rears are molded and rigid though. _________________ ...like a young Julie Andrews all whacked out on PCP, kinda fun but kinda scary too
'83 1.6TD
DX 5 Speed
"Whistler"
www.sinisterbikes.com |
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buildyourown Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2009 Posts: 1668 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:20 pm Post subject: |
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Somebody needs to buy the $4/pair ones off of Amazon and be the guniea pig.
edit: They even have ones with the stripper chick on them! |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9776 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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Certainly the original flap on the Westy (drivers side) was fairly rigid and stoutly made to stop rocks from striking the propane tank. Probably a good idea. |
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SpudlyHotPotato Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2010 Posts: 150 Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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Ahwahnee wrote: |
Certainly the original flap on the Westy (drivers side) was fairly rigid and stoutly made to stop rocks from striking the propane tank. Probably a good idea. |
You just totally answered a question I'd had about our Westy! I noticed that for some reason we couldn't understand, that there were two drilled holes behind the driver's side door that had seemingly no purpose. I surmised that it was probably for a mudflap that had previously been installed, and my husband said, "Why would someone just put one mudflap on the front driver's side?"
Obviously it was removed somewhere along the line for some reason. But now we want to replace it, and now I understand why it was just on the driver's side.
I guess we need to get the pricier ones if we're going to make sure that the screw holes fit, then? _________________ Rebuilt 2.1 in a 1985 manual Camper
"Those things are over kill and I want a set" - Jedi
"All my work explores the human desire or obsession for utopias, and the structure of all my works is the search for utopias lost and rediscovered." - Marguerite Young
www.bewilderknits.com |
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suebicum Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2008 Posts: 173 Location: Richmond, VT
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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Well, if we're on it- do the SA flaps fit the Syncro ?
I need some Mud Flaps, couse the Vermont roads sandblast my Syncro
Problem is I got 215/75R15's on it and don't trust the SA flaps to clear.
Thanks Michael _________________ 1986 Vanagon GL Syncro |
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blakeck2 Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2009 Posts: 939 Location: Los Osos, CA
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:12 pm Post subject: |
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suebicum wrote: |
Well, if we're on it- do the SA flaps fit the Syncro ?
I need some Mud Flaps, couse the Vermont roads sandblast my Syncro
Problem is I got 215/75R15's on it and don't trust the SA flaps to clear.
Thanks Michael |
They fit no problem, need to remove the factory syncro fender things though.
_________________ 1986 Vanagon Syncro GL, westy interior, GW 2.4 and all locked up
1973 Thing |
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erdonline Samba Member
Joined: September 26, 2004 Posts: 943 Location: CT
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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SpudlyHotPotato wrote: |
Ahwahnee wrote: |
Certainly the original flap on the Westy (drivers side) was fairly rigid and stoutly made to stop rocks from striking the propane tank. Probably a good idea. |
You just totally answered a question I'd had about our Westy! I noticed that for some reason we couldn't understand, that there were two drilled holes behind the driver's side door that had seemingly no purpose. I surmised that it was probably for a mudflap that had previously been installed, and my husband said, "Why would someone just put one mudflap on the front driver's side?"
Obviously it was removed somewhere along the line for some reason. But now we want to replace it, and now I understand why it was just on the driver's side.
I guess we need to get the pricier ones if we're going to make sure that the screw holes fit, then? |
That driver's side propane tank protector is not like any of the mud flaps that go directly onto the sheet metal in the wheel well. It's smaller than a mud flap and mounts differently. Into the two holes you see go a hard plastic insert that you can get from the VW dealer or Bus Dopot. When you insert the metal studs on the propane protector, the inserts expand and grip onto the studs.
Ed in CT _________________ '85 Vanagon Westfalia
'84 Vanagon 7-passenger
'98 Mexican air-cooled Beetle |
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RCB Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005 Posts: 4143 Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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SpudlyHotPotato wrote: |
Ahwahnee wrote: |
Certainly the original flap on the Westy (drivers side) was fairly rigid and stoutly made to stop rocks from striking the propane tank. Probably a good idea. |
You just totally answered a question I'd had about our Westy! I noticed that for some reason we couldn't understand, that there were two drilled holes behind the driver's side door that had seemingly no purpose. I surmised that it was probably for a mudflap that had previously been installed, and my husband said, "Why would someone just put one mudflap on the front driver's side?"
Obviously it was removed somewhere along the line for some reason. But now we want to replace it, and now I understand why it was just on the driver's side.
The flap that is intended to protect the propane tank is different than the mud flaps. I see them once in awhile here on the Samba...for about $60.00. In the meantime while your waiting to find one you can get two small rubber plugs from G-Westy to fill up the holes.
Its part number 056-116 and its a 6mm rubber grommet. Back in November the 17th of 2008 they were 0.65 each. Who knows how much they are now
I guess we need to get the pricier ones if we're going to make sure that the screw holes fit, then? |
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hiram6 Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006 Posts: 1880 Location: Beautiful South
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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Blackeck, the flaps you're picturing here are what is referred to as the "SA mud flaps" which mount on the lip of the fender well. The poster who was wondering about the holes on the fender in front of the propane tank needs the OEM "german" style of mudplap, pictured here:
I also had the german style flaps on the back, but I have since removed them.
Here's a pic of how the rear german style flaps look.
_________________ 1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning. |
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randywebb Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2005 Posts: 3815 Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Orygun
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:34 pm Post subject: |
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why did you remove the German style flaps on the back?
do they not work well? _________________ 1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans. |
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suebicum Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2008 Posts: 173 Location: Richmond, VT
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks blakeck2
So I might consider them and they are cheaper.
I don't have my little Syncro lips anymore (wanted some 16" fender flares at the time I did my Paint job) so no Problem.
And thanks to you hiram6
now we got both styles and can have a good look at them.
"German" flaps have more clearance, worth thinking about.
Michael _________________ 1986 Vanagon GL Syncro |
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blakeck2 Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2009 Posts: 939 Location: Los Osos, CA
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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Hiram6 I was refearing to Michaels sort of thread jack about asking if the SA flaps will fit with 215/75/15 tires.
I know which flaps the OP is talking about _________________ 1986 Vanagon Syncro GL, westy interior, GW 2.4 and all locked up
1973 Thing |
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SpudlyHotPotato Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2010 Posts: 150 Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="hiram6"]
Blackeck, the flaps you're picturing here are what is referred to as the "SA mud flaps" which mount on the lip of the fender well. The poster who was wondering about the holes on the fender in front of the propane tank needs the OEM "german" style of mudplap, pictured here:
Thanks so much for this info, I was dying to figure out what I needed to fill those drilled holes - now I understand what was there!
Beyond the clearance issue mentioned by another commenter in here, is this type of mudflap smart to put back on if for no other reason than to fill the drilled holes in the metal? My first thought was "Rust enabler" when I saw the drilled holes in the metal (even though I live in Phoenix and rust doesn't really stand a chance much here).
Also, I have to ask - what's that container you have behind the mudflap? I just need to know so I can add it to my list of future mods and upgrades if I need to add it.
Also - I'm doubly jealous because you have the wheels I want. I can't find them anywhere right now except for Ebay for something ridiculous like $600 + shipping. _________________ Rebuilt 2.1 in a 1985 manual Camper
"Those things are over kill and I want a set" - Jedi
"All my work explores the human desire or obsession for utopias, and the structure of all my works is the search for utopias lost and rediscovered." - Marguerite Young
www.bewilderknits.com |
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hiram6 Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006 Posts: 1880 Location: Beautiful South
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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@ blackeck - -No worries, I'm just always looking for an excuse to post pics of my Westy. Bit of a picture 'ho, I am.
@ RandyWebb, the rear flaps worked fine, but after I lowered the van with the carat springs, and went to the CLK wheels with the 60 series tires, I decided the rear flaps looked a little too "industrial" so to speak. If you notice the pics with the rear flaps shows my old tire/wheel/spring combination when I was going for the Faux Syncro look
@HotPotato - - the tank behind my drivers side front tire is a gray water tank connected to the sink drain. I think they are kinda rare, but I found this one on Craigslist a few years ago for $35!!! _________________ 1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning. |
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ddonnell Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2007 Posts: 373 Location: Sunset Beach
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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Thinking about getting a pair to be the guinea pig... I might get 2 pair(front and back) because shipping is the same with more quantities... _________________ 1990 Vanagon Carat-SOLD
1995 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 V10
1966 Baja "The Beast"
instagram #bajabugproject |
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