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Vanagon mud flaps: $8 to $160 a set?
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climberjohn
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 11:52 am    Post subject: Vanagon mud flaps: $8 to $160 a set? Reply with quote

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
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danfromsyr
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 11:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Might be a differance from molded OEM VW to Generic squares of rubber? Question
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Volksaholic
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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1621
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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. Laughing
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aquaboxa
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I believe the difference is that molded OEM vanagon mud flaps don't actually flap. The cheap ones will be flappy rubber.
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tozovr
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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buildyourown
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 2:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 2:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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?
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suebicum
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 3:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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 Wink
Problem is I got 215/75R15's on it and don't trust the SA flaps to clear.

Thanks Michael
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blakeck2
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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 Wink
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.

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

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erdonline
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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RCB
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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 Shocked

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
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

blakeck2 wrote:


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


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:

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


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


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.

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


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

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randywebb
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

why did you remove the German style flaps on the back?

do they not work well?
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suebicum
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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blakeck2
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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 Laughing
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SpudlyHotPotato
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 6:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

[quote="hiram6"]
blakeck2 wrote:


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


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:

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


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


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. Smile

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.
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hiram6
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 6:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

@ 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!!! Very Happy
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ddonnell
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 7:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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...
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