Mudflap Problem Solved ?

[ABR-SIDEWINDER]

wow that is bad, no amount of clear will protect that. I wonder if Toyota will say that raising the car by 50mm and fitting slightly larger tyres is outside the design parameters of the oem mudflap, therefore not their problem.
Still they should know people will do that and provide an alternative.

Is there any other damage ie behind the front tyres?

I have used a ruler and a straight edge and 60% of the damage would occur with standard height.

No damage to the side steps or front panels, others on the same trip lost sidesteps, especially crossing the Pascoe and at Gunshot.

Regards

Derek

[maxjj]

I recently had the rear bumper on my Liberty resprayed, that was $450. Remove, refit and spray. A new bumper was $350, which I didn`t need. Claimed it on Novated lease.

Guessing here, but removing and refitting the Prado panel would most likely cost more and then add spraying, ~~ around $550-$650 maybe.
That`s if they can use the same bumper.

[maxjj]

are those Hilux mudflaps stiff or do they are have a bit of flexibility in them, if they are too stiff I can see them getting ripped off pretty easily

[Tar Trek]

Hi there,

The HiLux mudflaps are reasonably stiff, not a real problem for me as I only travel on the bitumen or gravel roads in National Parks.

Although caution should be exercised when reversing up to gutters.

Prime use of vehicle is towing our caravan.

Cost of a rear bar for a Prado 150 is $556-50 (inc GST).

No change from a Grand, maybe even more to replace & paint.

Tar Trek

[maxjj]

had the car tinted yesterday and asked about a protector film for the rear. They have a .5mm film they typically use as a bonnet protector which they fitted at the rear end for me.
The cost was included in the tinting and the whole job came in under $400, so not sure how much that bit was.
I appreciate that a .5mm film isn`t going to protect it from the big rocks, but its better than nothing. Also this film can be removed and replaced if its starts to suffer too much damage.
Its hardly noticeable and blends in really well. It looks more obvious in the photos than in real life.

If I was to go on a big trip that involved a lot of high speed driving on gravel roads I could always stick some gaffa tape over it, especially on the underside.
I did that when I rode the motorbike around Australia and it worked really well, it came off easily after 8 weeks on the fairing and left no damage.
As a short term fix for anyone, you could just try some gaffa tape, when heading on a trip. Would suggest you try in on an inconspicuous spot first and leave in on for a couple of weeks though.

here is a couple of photos

[karrathaprado2]

Not bad...I was thinking about some that rubber ute tray spray if you could colour match?

[lissted]

Hi guys
Just went to Toyota this arvo in regards to rear bumper damage from rocks. Ours looks similar to Dereks. By an off chance a standard height, standard tyre Prado pulled in right behind me so I showed the service manager the mud spray on their rear bar. He took photos of both cars and said he would have to send it off to Toyota. He was very helpfull in saying rather than just fixing it they need a solution so it doesn't keep happening. I told him about the Hilux mudflaps mentioned in this forum (well done) and he said this is the answers toyota look for to sove these sort of claims. I let him know my car will be in for service in a week so I will see if we have an answer then.
Thanks
Peter

[maxjj]

went for a drive over the weekend, rear clear protector film worked well at protecting the rear end.
But the front is very annoying, they spray hits the bottom curve on the door. I wouldn`t mind so much if its just the sil, but the bottom curve on the door. That is ridiculous.
I want bigger mudflaps

[gympiebrowns]

went in for 10k service and enquired about the mudflap issue and the service manager said he had not recieved any advise from toyota re the issue???? got quote to replace the flaps with hilux ones and its $105/corner mmmmmm

[Silvo]

went in for 10k service and enquired about the mudflap issue and the service manager said he had not recieved any advise from toyota re the issue???? got quote to replace the flaps with hilux ones and its $105/corner mmmmmm

might have to wait a little longer.. !

[hookedon4wding]

I recently emailed Toyota Customer Care re the mudflap issue to see if they were working on a solution given the amount of complaints about it that PP members are making. This is their response. Don't hold your breath for a solution.


Dear Sam

Thank you for taking the time to contact the Customer Experience Centre.

In relation to your email, we have forwarded your comments on the Prado Rear mud flaps through to our Product Development team to make them equally aware of your feedback.

We appreciate all our customers feedback, this information assist us by providing us with the customers voice on how we can improve our product in the future.

We have noted your comments in our system case number 2010-xxxxxx, you could also discuss your comments on the mudflaps with your local Toyota Dealership and they could submit a product report (which also informs Toyota of your comments).

Sorry, we have not been informed of any changes to these mudflaps.

We thank you for taking the time to contact us, allowing us the opportunity to respond.

Customer Experience Advisor
Customer Experience Centre
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia

[Gday Bruce]

Went in for my 1,000k inspection today.
After the weekend run through Wollombi, I had a similar mud pattern to maxjj's photos above.
Asked about a fix for the plainly inadequate mudflaps & dealer suggested I fit something longer myself.
Standard mudflaps come beneath axle centre so they apparently comply (with what ?).

Very happy with the Prado, pity about Toyota

[trackers]

Hi Guys,
Can someone give me Toyotas email address,as Iam having the same problems. I want to email them as well,as I believe the more people who contact them the more chance of something happening.
Cheers

[Richoson]

Hi Folks

After seeing the mess the gravel makes I am looking for a solution and have spoken to a manufacturer in Sydney that makes the Polyurethane mudflaps for rally cars (they are the red ones you see on the cars) and he is keen to look at a 150 Prado to design either a replacement mudflap or one that goes on over the existing one.

Is there anybody in Sydney that can meet with him so that he can measuer the car either in Seven Hills where he is or he is prepared to meet you elsewhere? If so can you PM me and I will forward his details so that you can contact him.

Regards, Richo.

[Silvo]

Hi Folks

After seeing the mess the gravel makes I am looking for a solution and have spoken to a manufacturer in Sydney that makes the Polyurethane mudflaps for rally cars (they are the red ones you see on the cars) and he is keen to look at a 150 Prado to design either a replacement mudflap or one that goes on over the existing one.

Is there anybody in Sydney that can meet with him so that he can measuer the car either in Seven Hills where he is or he is prepared to meet you elsewhere? If so can you PM me and I will forward his details so that you can contact him.

Regards, Richo.

Yep - PM Sent.

[ABR-SIDEWINDER]

Yes, washing the car again shows that the lower front doors are badly chipped too.

I will take it up at the next service due in 1000Km

Regards

Derek

[530jac]

I have same problem with my prado. Just after a few kms on a gravel road I have bad stone chips.
I did ring toyota customer service spoke to alex . she said she hasnt heard about it. I was told you must report it to your dealer and its up to them to make a report. So I suggest more people should raise this problem so Toyota will fix it and repair the damage.

[cobbo150]

I have emailed Toyota Customer Service also, with the mudflap problem and the solution

I also offered to email them the photos which have been posted on this forum.

Still waiting on a reply.

Hope the issue is quickly resolved before I tow the caravan again.

Cheers and thanks to Tar Trekka for the work done so far. Much appreciated.

[hookedon4wding]

Hope the issue is quickly resolved before I tow the caravan again.

Me too! Heading to the Eyre Peninsula in mid September with the camper trailer so hopefully there's a factory solution ready by then.

Cheers, Sam.

[trackers]

Hi Guys,
Had the car in for its 10000km service today. I went armed with pics from here and asked what can be done about the mudflap situation. The dealer contacted Toyota who informed them that ther is no problem and no fix in the near future. The dealer,out of the goodness of his heart, offered me the hi lux flaps at trade price........$410, and I fit myself...what a joke!!
So guys I guess its back to the drawing board, unless your dealer is a lot more generous than ours. As for the vibration at 1500 revs, and the lag coming out of round abouts etc.....no fix in sight either. Then to top it off they wanted $20 to rotate the wheels, which is covered by the first service. Soon got that reversed, as we have the service Advantage.....fixed price.
On a brighter side, we still love the car. We are having an Ironman bar fitted tomorrow, so hope it all looks ok.
Cheers