Weathertech mud flap protection

[MxRacer965]

Hi all,

Just took delivery of a new 2019 Expedition Max Platinum a week ago to replace my 2011 Grand Cherokee Overland Summit. I loved the Jeep and had planned to keep it "forever" since I had the lifetime max care warranty, but it just got too small for our needs. So now I'm rolling around in the bus.

In doing some further research I found the power running boards seem to be the Achilles heel that gives the most trouble, that also costs a frightening amount to fix, even if you do it yourself. So that got me thinking about mud flaps. I've never liked them, but if it saves me some $ in the long run I'll do it. So, I'm thinking about the Weathertech flaps. How well do they protect the motor and front linkage from snow and crud? How about just keeping crap off the top of the running board in general? Already the rest of the vehicle will be clean but the top of the running board will still have crap on it unless I wipe it down. Hoping these flaps will help durability and cleanliness.

Loving the vehicle so far; we had intended to get a Navigator L Reserve instead but since they are so hot there are no incentives for them, and finding one used is still a frightening proposition from a cost/mileage perspective. So we bought this new instead with the 0% for 72 months promo...

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

Aaron

 

[Sowie1701]

I just bought the weathertech and they fit nicely with all the contours and have notches in the fronts to miss the running boards. They are only as wide as the tire so I think they do a good job of keeping dirt off the running boards but probably not much they can do about the Motor and linkage. They look more factory than the factory ones in my opinion.


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[scottdm]

Hi all,

Just took delivery of a new 2019 Expedition Max Platinum a week ago to replace my 2011 Grand Cherokee Overland Summit. I loved the Jeep and had planned to keep it "forever" since I had the lifetime max care warranty, but it just got too small for our needs. So now I'm rolling around in the bus.

In doing some further research I found the power running boards seem to be the Achilles heel that gives the most trouble, that also costs a frightening amount to fix, even if you do it yourself. So that got me thinking about mud flaps. I've never liked them, but if it saves me some $ in the long run I'll do it. So, I'm thinking about the Weathertech flaps. How well do they protect the motor and front linkage from snow and crud? How about just keeping crap off the top of the running board in general? Already the rest of the vehicle will be clean but the top of the running board will still have crap on it unless I wipe it down. Hoping these flaps will help durability and cleanliness.

Loving the vehicle so far; we had intended to get a Navigator L Reserve instead but since they are so hot there are no incentives for them, and finding one used is still a frightening proposition from a cost/mileage perspective. So we bought this new instead with the 0% for 72 months promo...

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

Aaron

I have the Weathertech mudflaps, and they are the best option available. That being said, rocks still get thrown underneath the front flaps and have nicked the finish on my rear wheels. In snowy weather, the slush, slop, cinders, etc still builds up on the running boards, linkage, motor, etc but probably less than it would without the mudflaps. Overall, the mudflaps certainly help, but you'll still be cleaning the running boards, linkage, etc at the car wash.

As a side note, you'll need to pay attention to the inside lower edge of the rear doors since they seem to collect a lot of crap on salty/snowy roads.

 

[MxRacer965]

Thanks for the replies. I guess for $80 I'll give them a go and see how they work out. I was hoping the reply was "yep, these protect the motor and linkage really well", but I suppose some protection is better than none at all.

How many have bought extended warranties from Ford? I didn't pull the trigger when I bought it because both extended warranties I've purchased in the past never got used. Spent $3K on extended warranty for my wifes Infiniti M45x and it expired before the transmission did, and the Grand Cherokee I never used the lifetime warranty I bought when it was new. But if these power running boards cost north of $2,000 to fix and they are a sure thing to fail, seems like the warranty may not be a bad buy.

Anywhere selling them online for less than any other dealers? Ziegler was selling the Mopar plans for a lot less than anyone else when I bought mine for the Jeep.

 

[mpc11]

I have the Weathertec's installed too. They certainly help and are a big improvement without them, but you will still deal w/ some slush/ice/snow build up. Worth the $$ in my opinion.

If you want more info, lots of it here along w/ other brands: https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/splash-mud-guards.36641/

 

[Wayne Decker]

I put them on too. They fit well and help a bit with dirt on the side of the vehicle. It doesn't eliminate it, but helps a bit. Installation was easy. Harder in he rear, but still not a big deal. BTW. I went from a Durango (GC with a third row) to the Expedition. No regrets.

 

[Gary Waugh]

I have them on my expedition and like the look and fit, they definitely help keep the retracting step cleaner, but living in Texas I have not experienced any snow or Ice so no idea how well they hope with that, but they are definitely a lot better than not having any flaps (as supplied by Ford).

Gary

 

[Tocapet]

I'm glad my Expedition has fixed running boards instead of powered.

 

[st381183]

I'm glad my Expedition has fixed running boards instead of powered.

I purposely purchased mine without the retracting running boards, lane keep assist, 360 camera, radar cruise control, etc. Those are all the things that easily break or go outand cost a fortune to repair/replace. Sometimes simpler is better.

 

[lobsenza]

The power running boards make it much easier to get into our SUV. The fixed running boards would be much harder for her to use.

 

[Jace]

The power running boards make it much easier to get into our SUV. The fixed running boards would be much harder for her to use.

Same here. My littlest kiddo wasn't able to get into an XLT without becoming a mountain climber. The power steps come much much further down... I even use em! I had an 08 4runner with fixed steps and they actually made it harder to get in and out of the vehicle haha. Fingers crossed our power steps hold up. Simpler can be better, but I will say I don't miss crank windows!

 

[Deadman]

Ya if I shut the power running boards off, my boys need me to hoist them in. With the steps down, they climb right in with no issues.

 

[Fozzy]

I would rather spend a little time keeping the power running boards cleaned and serviced versus everyone sliding off the seats to get out and pulling on them to get in.


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[Plati]

Same here. My littlest kiddo wasn't able to get into an XLT without becoming a mountain climber. The power steps come much much further down... I even use em! I had an 08 4runner with fixed steps and they actually made it harder to get in and out of the vehicle haha. Fingers crossed our power steps hold up. Simpler can be better, but I will say I don't miss crank windows!

I miss crank windows. Had to replace 2 regulators and master switch and windows don't work well now on the 2003 (sloooooowwwww). That's over a thousand dollar$ I'll never see again.

 

[MxRacer965]

Generally when I buy a vehicle I buy the trim level that has every option. In this case, power running board. The Grand Cherokee didn't need it, plus I had the air suspension and could lower it for parking, making it easier for my 5 YO and 8 YO to get in and out. I don't even use the static running boards on my F150, and my kids just end up sliding off of them. They seem much more sure footed on the power boards of the Expedition. In all, I'm glad I have them (for now). I just wanted to see if I could help keep them from failing and costing $2K to fix myself.

As for the comments about adaptive cruise, etc just being a maintenance nightmare...we had it on our 2008 Infiniti M45x and never had an issue, I had it on my 2011 Grand Cherokee Summit and never had a problem, and my wife has it on her '15 Lincoln MKS AWD and hasn't had an issue. Hopefully this vehicle follows that trend. Though the Lincoln does seem a little finicky about snow/ice blockages. Might be because the sensor is behind the bumper cover and on the Infiniti and Jeep they were exposed somewhat.

 

[aggiegrad05]

Generally when I buy a vehicle I buy the trim level that has every option. In this case, power running board. The Grand Cherokee didn't need it, plus I had the air suspension and could lower it for parking, making it easier for my 5 YO and 8 YO to get in and out. I don't even use the static running boards on my F150, and my kids just end up sliding off of them. They seem much more sure footed on the power boards of the Expedition. In all, I'm glad I have them (for now). I just wanted to see if I could help keep them from failing and costing $2K to fix myself.

As for the comments about adaptive cruise, etc just being a maintenance nightmare...we had it on our 2008 Infiniti M45x and never had an issue, I had it on my 2011 Grand Cherokee Summit and never had a problem, and my wife has it on her '15 Lincoln MKS AWD and hasn't had an issue. Hopefully this vehicle follows that trend. Though the Lincoln does seem a little finicky about snow/ice blockages. Might be because the sensor is behind the bumper cover and on the Infiniti and Jeep they were exposed somewhat.

I have a feeling you'll be just fine. New tech is finicky when it's new, that's the way things work. But most of the stuff on these vehicles is not new, just new to this model.

Ford/Lincoln has been doing power deployable running boards for a while now. Adaptive cruise hasn't been a new tech since the late '90s. Auto start-stop has been around for almost 30 years. Lane departure warning systems were introduced by the Japanese in the early 2000s. No one is complaining about anti-lock brakes, power steering, or automatic transmissions...and those were all "new tech" at one point.

It is easy to be bearish on "new tech" as something that will always break, but things get better over time. Remember how often your Windows computer would crash in the '90s and 00's?...but I bet you can't remember the last time you got the "blue screen of death."

The vast majority of the systems on these Expis can safely be called "proven" by now, even if it is new to the Expi model specifically.

Eventually, folks may just have to admit car manufacturers know what they're doing and aren't actively trying to sell us turds that are going to self-destruct just because they have a computer chip in them.

Progress is not bad, folks.

 

[Jace]

I miss crank windows. Had to replace 2 regulators and master switch and windows don't work well now on the 2003 (sloooooowwwww). That's over a thousand dollar$ I'll never see again.

Understandable there. My dad's '04 F150 had major issues with the power windows too. I remember when the crank window levers broke, vice grips were the go-to fix ha. The power windows on my '89 F150 would go out every few years, but it was always 3 little cheap nylon bushings inside the motor, which was a cheap fix luckily.

I like the ability to be able to roll down all of the windows from the driver's seat with power!

 

[AAOO]

I'm glad my Expedition has fixed running boards instead of powered.

I love my powered running boards. Glad I went with the fully loaded Platinum. Having second thoughts of not going with the fully loaded navigator. Just didn't feel like my rap game was strong enough at the time.

 

[AAOO]

I purposely purchased mine without the retracting running boards, lane keep assist, 360 camera, radar cruise control, etc. Those are all the things that easily break or go outand cost a fortune to repair/replace. Sometimes simpler is better.

You sound cheap or broke. Put in a few more hours. LOL J/K

 

[st381183]

You sound cheap or broke. Put in a few more hours. LOL J/K

Both. To broke to pay an extra $15k to have it, and too cheap to fix that junk when it fails and only the dealership has the ability to fix.