Rock Chips - Beware -

[Tarekith]

Plus some gravel just spins weird when it gets kicked up, they can make all kinds of weird arcs around any protection. If you’re going to drive on gravel and off road just need to expect you’re going to get some rock chips eventually.

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[timelapse]

Plus some gravel just spins weird when it gets kicked up, they can make all kinds of weird arcs around any protection. If you’re going to drive on gravel and off road just need to expect you’re going to get some rock chips eventually.

This.

 

[kekecarioca]

That sucks that’s a fear of mine as I was driving through Arkansas took a rock right in the windshield and it did not chip or crack, but I couldn’t believe it didn’t crack. I was lucky

Well that happened to me a few times too and nothing until yesterday.... small chip right in the middle... i already got it filled. Also happened on a clear city highway....

 

[kekecarioca]

Plus some gravel just spins weird when it gets kicked up, they can make all kinds of weird arcs around any protection. If you’re going to drive on gravel and off road just need to expect you’re going to get some rock chips eventually.

indeed.

 

[kekecarioca]

I've put 5,000 miles on a pair of the Ark mids with 275/70/18 tires (stock ORP wheels). They worked well in Colorado on a recent road trip. I did still end up with some small gravel on my roof once during the road trip. Less than I was experiencing around North GA before the ark flaps, bit we have more fine gravel on FS roads. The ark flaps absolutely help protect your door panels since they have wider coverage.

However, I suspect the worst damage can happen when you're on loose gravel, at speed, and turn the front wheels. This lets gravel project towards the vehicle and/or end up on the roof.

Good to hear. I think the issue w/ the plastic stock ones are that w/ the small factory lift they are not long enough. Event then as mentioned above those rocks might be curving like the matrix.

 

[timelapse]

Well that happened to me a few times too and nothing until yesterday.... small chip right in the middle... i already got it filled. Also happened on a clear city highway....

The stock ones are not wide enough. For the best on-road coverage, I'd suggest the Ark Full Length option. I bought both sizes when I ordered mine, but decided to keep the mid length and return the full ones. My decision was based on off-road clearance while also still protecting with a wider profile than the OEM mudguards. If I only drove gravel and pavement, I would have opted for the full length for added protection.

I did a side by side comparison, but didn't take photos. The Ark mids are just a bit shorter than the OEM mudguards. The Ark full length is significantly longer than the OEM. Regardless of length, Ark has much wider coverage and it's also higher coverage to better protect your body panels. Combined with the OEM running boards, the mids protect well up front. I assume it might be the same with the TH rock sliders.

 

[kekecarioca]

Good info! The running boards are probably key too. The TH rails do not stick out far enough to shield the rear door panels.

 

[kekecarioca]

I made these temporary ones to see the results and so far so good. I haven't gone full gravel ride at speeds yet, but the occasional country road chip seal rock "ting" seems to be gone (the wheel is turned in a bit on the pic)

 

[timelapse]

Good info! The running boards are probably key too. The TH rails do not stick out far enough to shield the rear door panels.

A few photos of the mid protection

 

[kekecarioca]

Solid! I like the one up rack too!

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