Trail Impressions: Rokblokz Mud Flaps Review

Product overview and installation of Rokblokz Rally Mud Flaps on a 5th Gen 4Runner

One of the first things that many new 4Runner owners will do when they get their rig home is remove the OEM mud flaps. Their molded design doesn’t allow them to be very flexible when off-road, their sizing doesn’t offer much functional coverage, and with the addition of larger than stock tires, they can cause rubbing when turning.

All of these negatives add up to owners wanting to opt-out and ditch them altogether. However there is an option that eliminates all of those cons, and that option comes multiple sizes and colors from Rokblokz Rally Mud Flaps.

Initial impression

Right out of the box, you’ll note the care taken in packing both the flaps and hardware into sealed bundles, including well labelend instructions, a complimentary die-cut sticker and candy.

I received both the regular size and the XL size for this comparison to let you decide which is best for your 4Runner. Looking at them side by side, you can see the size difference between the two sets.

I unpackaged both sets of 4 and overlapped the front and rear sets for a direct comparison of the regular and XL models.

The mounting points are the same, and the shape on the inside is identical. With both the front and the rear sets, the XL model adds both width and length to the outside and lower edges of the flaps.

This additional length and width of the XL’s are designed for 4Runners that are lifted and have wider than stock suspension or wheels. Rokblokz recommends that owners with OEM, or stock offset wheels opt for the regular sizing for optimum aesthetics.

For this comparison, I will install a pair of regular size flaps on the passenger side, and a pair of XL flaps on the drivers’ side.

Installation

To install the new Rokblokz flaps, start by removing the OEM flaps (if equipped). A 10mm compact wrench for all of the trim screws and a set of diagonal cutters to pry out the OEM trim clips.

Note that on the rear OEM flaps, there is a hidden bolt on the bottom side of the flap.

Flap removal summary: if the flap comes off, you got all of the screws and clips. If it doesn’t, you missed one or more.



Once the flaps are removed, go ahead and clean up the area with a damp cloth to make installation that much easier by revealing your mounting holes that should be covered in mud and dirt!

Install tip:

When reviewing the Rokblokz instructions that go over everything you need to successfully install your flaps (including great photos), they note that the best way to install their product is to turn the front wheels one way or another to accommodate the side you’re working on and to raise the back end of the vehicle or remove the rear wheels altogether to install the rear set.

I was able to come up with a “custom” tool that allowed me to install the Rokblokz without turning, lifting, or removing. A number 3 Phillips bit, a 1/4” socket and a compact wrench.

To keep the bit in the socket, I wrapped it once with masking tape to create a tight joint. With this combination, I was able to install all 4 corners without doing anything with the wheels/tires on the 4Runner. You’re welcome!

Follow the instructions provided by Rokblokz step by step, and you’ll have an easy installation of your new mud flaps.

My take: for each flap, hand thread the top and bottom screws first, then snug them up with your custom tool.

Then, take a step back to make sure your flap is straight before final tightening the top and bottom screws and installing the remaining screws.

Be sure to not over tighten the screws as they all fasten either into factory plastics or the supplied nylon clips. Nothing worse than stripping out plastic!


All in all, the installation took about 30 minutes for all four mud flaps and the instructions were very simple to follow.

The Results

Note: The 4Runner I am using for this comparison is a Trail Edition with stock wheels, 285/70R17 Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLTs and a 2.5” lift. This 4Runner does not have spacers installed.

The fit and finish of both the hardware and the flaps themselves really show the pride that Rokblokz has in their products. The flaps are constructed from a flexible, proprietary material.

They won’t break under severe conditions, but they remain stiff enough to keep their shape while at freeway speeds.

No flapping in the wind with these means you won’t look like a trucker going down the road.

Add to that, because they keep shape while on the road, they’ll retain maximum debris coverage when things get dirty.

The front flaps, in both sizes, have a unique feature for more tire clearance.

They cut out a section of the flap where the body mount is located to allow for the most clearance possible for those with larger tires or wheel with a greater offset. It might not be much, but it could be just enough to keep you from rubbing while turning!

The difference between OEM and the regular / XL sizing can be summed up simply:

Wide and moar wide.

The regular size Rokblokz offer more coverage than the OEM flaps thanks to their wider, squared-off design. However even with their larger design, they still hold the body lines tight and look to match the ‘stock stance’.

If you’ve gone the wider route with larger tires, a wider suspension kit, or wheels with increased offset, the XL flaps will have you covered.

On this 4Runner, the rear XL’s don’t quite fit the build but they do show how they compare to the regular size.

The front flaps in the XL sizing actually fit this stock width 4Runner quite well with the sliders, and would add a lot more side protection when on dirt.

Now, let’s compare each side versus the OEM mud flaps, to show the differences in coverage.

RokBlokz regular mud flaps:
Rokblokz XL mud flaps:

The Trail Takeaway

Rokblokz Rally Mud Flaps has gone above and beyond to develop a functional and stylish product for the 5th gen 4Runner.

After a weekend of romping in the snow melted and muddy mountains with the wife and dog, I could easily see an improvement in overall coverage from mud along the side of the truck. This means less mud being drug into the front seats from getting in and out, less to clean up at the end of a trip, and an overall cleaner vehicle to work with. I am more than satisfied with their performance in forested conditions so far.

Whether you just want to keep the sides of your rig clean, or want to add some rally-inspired flair, Rokblokz have a product for your needs. I look forward to taking these through the paces to see what they’re made of, and how they handle real world conditions.

Available in 9 colors in both regular and XL sizing, order your set by clicking this link

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Gino
Gino
1 year ago

Has anyone installed them on a 2023 TRD offroad? Rokblokz doesn’t have a set for that model year.

John Murnane
John Murnane
2 years ago

I know I am late to the discussion….I have a 2020 4r TRD off road and live on a dirt/gravel road. I am leaning towards the XL size for extra protection (running Cooper 265/70R17). Will they simply bolt on? I am having some crash repairs done at a local body shop so I’ll have them add it to the job…I don’t want them to toss them back at me because they don’t fit. So, bolt right on?

Griffin
Griffin
2 years ago

Will the regular be wide enough for trd pro wheels with 4 offset?

Michiel
Michiel
2 years ago

Man, old story but will comment regardless. On what version of the 5th gen was this installed? Do you think they fit “any” version of the 5th gen?

Michiel
Michiel
2 years ago
Reply to  Max Sheehan

Yeah, I ended going with them and ABSOLUTELY love them! 😊

Russ
Russ
3 years ago

Realize this is an older story … but … what was done for the marks left by the stock splash guards? I’m optimistic that I can use some buffing compound to clean-up my Nautical Blue ORP.

Max Sheehan - @life.to.the.max
Max Sheehan - @life.to.the.max
2 years ago
Reply to  Russ

The scuffing doesn’t go away if it’s gotten through the paint like mine.

John
John
3 years ago

Does having a BMC have any affect on the installation?

Jean-Yves Hudon
Jean-Yves Hudon
4 years ago

Just installed them, first time out, roll over a rock, the mud flat ripped all three holes of the flare and the bumper retaining clip. Not impressed attachment method is not the best.

Bryan Hildebrand
Bryan Hildebrand
1 year ago

Uh, attachment method is OEM. Maybe Toyota can help you out? lol

Max Sheehan - @life.to.the.max
Max Sheehan - @life.to.the.max
4 years ago

They work well for what they are designed to do, which is mostly gravel or rocky surfaces at speed where you’ll kick up rocks into the undercarriage. They aren’t designed for rock crawling and have little functional use in that category. That being said, I have taken them through some rocky sections of trail with no issues, you just need to be aware of them when choosing a line. If you pinch them between your tire and a rock, you’ll likely rip them off. That goes for any mud/gravel flap.

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Aaron H
Aaron H
4 years ago

How flexible do you find them? Do they hit the ground much? If they do, do they flex enough and not break?

Max Sheehan - @life.to.the.max
Max Sheehan - @life.to.the.max
4 years ago
Reply to  Aaron H

They are somewhat flexible. Less than the stock ones, which is good for keeping gravel from impacting the undercarriage at speed. I haven’t had any issues with them breaking or coming close. But if you’re wheeling in the rocks, you’ll need to remember that they’re there or you might pinch it between the tire and a rock which could result in it being torn off. These are designed less for wheeling, and more for high speed.

Brian Milner
Brian Milner
4 years ago

Hi Max, Awesome writeup – Are you running spacers on your 4Runner? I’m trying to gauge if I would should go with the XL or not.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Max Sheehan

Do they rub with your 285s?

Max Sheehan - @life.to.the.max
Max Sheehan - @life.to.the.max
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Alex // No, they don’t rub on the flaps with the way my 4Runner is aligned. They would rub the body mount before the flaps anyways.

John Westin
John Westin
5 years ago

This article is super informative. Thanks Max! Those RokBlokz mud flaps sure look like they protect the truck from all sorts of crap.

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