I've used the search function and read a few of the posts regarding mud flaps and factory running boards (not nerfs) on the new SuperCrews. Seems like there are opinions going both ways as to whether Ford has a fit for these or not. Anybody know for sure if Ford's flaps will fit the 2004 Lariat application? I would really like to put some on. The boards don't keep the side of the vehicle very clean. Are there any other alternatives? Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

Ford's molded mud flaps do not fit with factory installed running boards.
Premier Motoring Accessories carries mud guards that are supposed to be compatible "with or without running boards.
See: http://www.premiermotoring.net/cgi-b...23103197741.3d

I'm going to order a pair for the front to see how they look. I'll post a review/pics when I get them in.

 

The "splash guards" do however, work fine with the dealer supplied tubular running boards (which aren't displayed in Ford's accessory catalog yet).

I've got a True Blue FX4 SCrew with the 5" tubular chrome ones (which are actually oval rather than round) and the Ford Splash Guards ($59), and it looks pretty awesome in my opinion.

 

JohnAndDar,

I probably should clarify here. I'm getting this info so that I can put flaps on my fathers truck. I take particular interest in anything he puts on his truck because he buys a new one every two years and sells the previous one to me. Anything that I do well on his truck now just makes it that much better for me down the road. I just took a look at your gallery. Looks good. We went the Line-X route last week also. They did a good job though I wished that I would have had them leave their label off. Thanks for the post, I'll look forward to your comments on the flaps.

 

I went with the Pro Flaps at the same place that did my Line-X. They're doing a good job of keeping the truck cleaner. The last half mile to my house is a rough and muddy dirt road so my truck was looking like I was out playing "mud bog" all the time.

I'm gonna put the same flaps on my Jeep Liberty. It's even worse about getting mud on the sides...wash it and it looks like crap the next time I drive it.

 

KJB,

Any pictures?

 

I hope nobody takes any offense at this, because it sure isn't meant to cause any, but in the interest of providing a full range of opinions, I have to say that I have both the Ford mudflaps and the factory-installed black flat running boards and they fit together just fine. These are on a 4X4 Lariat Supercrew. The running boards haven't been trimmed in any way and the flaps have not been cut. Pictures are in my mods album.

 

GearHead_1, I'll grab a few tomorrow and post them. Bear in mind that the truck hasn't been washed since I bought it (10-11-03). The rain here in WA has washed off a lot of the mud, and the Pro Flaps have kept it off. I guess I should post a picture of the Liberty (no flaps yet) for a comparison since it was just washed a week ago

 

Mudlord,
No offense taken. I'm glad to hear that they were able to fit for you. They look good in the pics, too. I guess there are bound to be some variances in the way the running boards are installed. The general feedback has been that there are fitment problems. I ordered the molded flaps from Premier Motoring Accessories last night. I'm hoping they fit and look good. I'd like to keep the Ford flaps for the rear tires because they do look good and have the Ford logo on them.
It's going to be mild here today, so I'm going to go out later and wash the snow related road slop off of my truck. I really want those flaps on soon.

John

 

Here's a quickie gallery with some pictures of the Pro Flaps and Access Cover.

KJB's F-150

 

I received my order from PremierMotoring.net today. It turns out the mudguards are Husky Liners Custom Molded Mudguards (Part # 56591 for application "w/fender flares").

These are just what I needed. Unlike the Ford ones, these had an indent in them to accomodate the running boards and they fit great.

Here are two thumbnails (see the "Mods/Accessories" album in my gallery for full size pics and a side view picture):



I have already installed the Ford mudguards for my rear wheels, otherwise I would definitely prefer the Husky Liners there, too.
Here are some of the nice things about the Husky Liners:

• they fit great
• they come with 3M paint protection film to fit where the mudguard overlaps the side of the lip molding (the Ford ones don't have this)
• Product Waranty for original purchaser for life of thevehicle (normal usage)
• Unlike the Ford mudguards, you don't have to pull away the wheel lip molding. These have 3 screws per mudguard, you just need to drill 3 1/8" holes.
• I think they give slightly better coverage for the tire width than the OEM ones.

 

Ok-I have a 4x2 Supercrew Lariat with the factory installed platform running boards and just got done installing Ford's part # 4L3Z 16A550 FAA on my truck (set of four). The rears fit without any modifications. You remove 3 plugs out of the fenderwell flare, drill one hole, and use the other 2 holes that are already there. The fronts will work and fit properly only if you cut approximately 3/4 to 1" off the front of the board at an angle, otherwise the flap will not seat properly against the fenderwell lip.
The platform boards stick to far to the front-you can not easily move the boards rearward. Once the flaps are on, you can't see where the boards were cut (with a power hacksaw). If you have a 4X4 you order the same part# but ends in BAA (instead of FAA).
Mudlord-you were lucky if you were able to install properly without cutting. My 4X2 front flaps are a couple of inches shorter than yours. John&Dar-yours looks nice but I don't like the way the fronts are pushed forward where the running board hits-no offense-just personal preference. It took about 2 1/2 hours to put all 4 on per the way Ford intended. All in all, they don't fit as well as A Honda or foreign made car's flap would.

 

Boatmannbuzz - thanks. I was wondering if anyone was going to cut their running boards. I couldn't bring myself to do that, but I did consider trying to modify the Ford mudguards. In the end, it was a lot easier just get the Husky Liners.
My running boards aren't pushing the mudguards forward...they fit flush against the wheel lip molding. I reviewed the pics in my album and see that it does look like it "curves" forward in the one picture, but it really doesn't. It hangs straight downward, in the same manner as the Ford ones I installed for the rear tires. I would prefer it if both sets raked back a little more, but that's not how either one was designed.
Either way, at least our trucks are a little better protected with the guards on, finally.

John

 

John-I got my Ford mudflaps today and wanted to get them on. I wish I would have waited and read your thread on your installation. I would have got the type you installed and wouldn't have had to cut the boards-even though you can't tell it. It's not right cutting on a $35K plus truck as I know exactly what your concerns were. After the initial shock of the 1st cut, it wasn't that bad to do and the look came out fine. Got tired of the snow and slush building up on the boards.

Bob

 

RB's were a MUST for me as they also function as bumpers for other people who would otherwise open their door into my truck. The prob I saw with the FMC RB's was they seemd to fit too much under the door seam and render them almost useless to get in or out