So in my entire life I've never been pulled over for not having splash guards, but in one week the Sheriff and city police pulled me over for "non compliance". So I guess I need to address it because they warned me that next time it's a ticket. I live in a small town and they all know my Jeep and I understand the situation. So I have a used set for the front I can throw on, but they want the rear. I've spent the last several days looking in all the ussual places with zero success. I don't want to throw on some big ugly truck flaps in the rear like I've seen some do. If I'm forced to this, I'd prefer something that is or is close to stock looking. I know they get in the way off road, but I'll deal with that the best I can.
Any brilliant ideas or anyone know where I can source some used originals?
Is your XJ lifted? Hard to tell from your avatar. Do you have the "inner" liners in? There are "universal" ones on ebay and other sites. Some even say JEEP.
What state do you live in ?? Did they tell you exactly what was 'not in compliance{?}"...Your profile states 1 1/2 inch lift {which can't be seen by most non XJ owners}. Seems strange they're trying to force you to add something that the factory didn't have unless the tires are sticking way out past the fenders.. Then it's flare time anyhow...And lastly, you own an SUV... Not a tractor trailer, or even a passenger truck... So unless your state makes all SUVs have the mud flaps X inches from the ground like the tractor trailer laws I'm thinking they're messing with you...Put a pair of these on until you find what you want...LOL....
I used stiff-as-a-board, 1/4" thick, real-deal mudflaps from a big rig and cut them down to ~10" wide x ~17-1/2" long. I got a pair of mudflaps out of each of the big-rig mudflap, and the version I got had no ribs along the outermost 1" or so, making it look almost legit. I used self-drilling sheet metal screws to secure the mudflap to the OEM Flare, and then I bent up a piece of flat bar to support the inside of the mudflap. I realize now that I've rolled over the body seam there, and this mounting may not work for everyone, but, ...
I have approx a 2 inch lift, tires don't stick out, etc. I live on a gravel road that's always muddy in Fall/Winter. When stopped, the last cop told me after pointing out all the mud spray on the side and back, that I need guards that extend down to at least the middle of the axle. I didn't measure, but it looks like about 4 inches minimum. Anyway I'm frustrated because I rarely see any Jeep that have guards. I might just let it go and see if they stop me again. My issue is, when I turn onto the highway from my road, there is truck lane where "the man" likes to park looking for speeders and other violaters. My green XJ is hard to miss and they see me all the time. Maybe they're profiling! Just kidding, but given all the mud I collect daily, maybe mud flaps aren't such a bad idea anyway.
Unfortunate to hear you're starting to catch some heat. I wonder if there was an internal conversation at the department about this that caused the 2 stops back to back. Last year I moved from New Hampshire to Vermont. NH does not have a mud flaps law, whereas VT does. Here is a snip of the inspection manual from VT to give you an idea of the requirements over here. I got this from the DMV website. Maybe you can find one for your state as well. I have not yet installed flaps on my Jeep because it hasn't left the garage since its been registered in VT lol.
So "A" is how far forward the centre line of the wheel is but what is "B"? It appears to be completely arbitrary & surely the longer the rear overhang, the less likely spray is to escape from under the vehicle.
All he told me was the guard needs to be low enough to be at the axle centerline at minimum, and wide enough to cover the tire. I'm ordering some generic guards and will try to mount them so they can be removed easily if desired. Got a couple in mind, not in a hurry to order. I got time as I just ripped out my carpets and I'm going to clean up the interior and install a new carpet kit in the next couple weeks. Guy had his XJ stolen and had a new carpet set for it on CL, so I picked it up for very little $.
In California, the vehicle code Sec. 27600 is pretty vague and says:
"No person shall operate any motor vehicle having three or more wheels, any trailer, or semitrailer unless equipped with fenders, covers, or devices, including flaps or splash aprons, or unless the body of the vehicle or attachments thereto afford adequate protection to effectively minimize the spray or splash of water or mud to the rear of the vehicle and all such equipment or such body or attachments thereto shall be at least as wide as the tire tread. "
I guess "adequate protection" is in the eyes of the LEO.
So "A" is how far forward the centre line of the wheel is but what is "B"? It appears to be completely arbitrary & surely the longer the rear overhang, the less likely spray is to escape from under the vehicle.
Measurement "B" appears to be the bottom edge of the rear bumper as measured directly behind the rear wheel. In other words, how high off the pavement the tire spray will be stopped .
