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Cheap mud protection

16097 Views 58 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  Ironsbrandon
Here is a pic of a cheap homemade mudguard placed in front of the left rear wheel. I didn't like the fact that the fuse box, battery, wiring harness, and general area under the drivers seat could easily be packed by mud and rocks from the rear tire. Since there is a full skid plate, mud would only collect.

I cut up a large HDPE (plastic) truck mudflap I purchased at NAPA and fastened it to a vertical frame member using a single stainless bolt. The frame member has holes in it so I didn't have to drill the machine. I mounted a long 5/16" stainless bolt to the machine with a locking nut. The remaining threads facing the rear of the machine, was used to hold on the plastic mud guard. I held it in place with a wing nut. I can unscrew the wing nut, remove the plastic and clean in there if I need to. Sorry the bolt doesn't show well in the picture.

One point of caution. I made a whole bunch of inner fender mud protection for my Ranger only to find it held in too much heat. I think this mod is ok, but I would not go crazy closing in the engine, belt or exhaust. Enjoy!
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Thanks for the post and picture. I'm going to do the same thing you did
Great Idea! I got some Kydex in and will be trying my hand at radiator guards for inner fender wells.
Thanks Bluebass
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Great! I'm interested in the radiator guards. Where did you get the Kydex?

Also, I forgot to mention - I disconnected the large starter wire (I think) coming from the relay. That made it easier to get the plastic in there.
It can be purchased online. I had some on hand for holster making. I will try to mold something tha fits well. (Might take a few try's Ha!)
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bluesbass - that is exactly what I was talking about being an issue on the one looked at. Why would they let that go???
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I have not looked at the RZR lately, but a neighbor who has an 800 says his fuse box is in the same place as the General and he has not had problems. Still, I don't like it. I just caution about enclosing too much. I melted some Mudbuster's under bed protection by enclosing too much of the engine and exhaust on my Ranger. The gas in the tank even got hot and began bubbling out the vent tube.

I also thought about just placing a plastic sheet on the metal round braces in front of the rear wheels. Maybe with some pipe clamps or billets. That would allow good airflow, but still block debris from the tires. Endless improvements here.
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Second thought, I wonder if Polaris doesn't take care of these issue so the aftermarket industry can.
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I used a very thick pond liner on my Rhino, still looks new and eazy on and off. Just form cut and zip tie any place you want.

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Still tryin to figure out this pic thing. Wouldnt let me download my pics said to big along with a max size. Resized to what it said and thats what I got.
Still tryin to figure out this pic thing. Wouldnt let me download my pics said to big along with a max size. Resized to what it said and thats what I got.




Don't feel bad. My pictures usually post upside down
I talked to the dealer a few weeks ago and the issue about mud and junk getting up by the battery that did not seam to bother them much but they did say to wash it out good so I have a tube similar to what you would clean out a water heater to get the water back in there with out using high pressure. I like the ideas I have seen posted and pictures are hard to view so my concern is that when you get this partially covered it will be hard to get the hose pass the cover to wash out the area above the skid plate that is holding mud. I would think this cover will not stop 100% of dirty water.
I talked to the dealer a few weeks ago and the issue about mud and junk getting up by the battery that did not seam to bother them much but they did say to wash it out good so I have a tube similar to what you would clean out a water heater to get the water back in there with out using high pressure. I like the ideas I have seen posted and pictures are hard to view so my concern is that when you get this partially covered it will be hard to get the hose pass the cover to wash out the area above the skid plate that is holding mud. I would think this cover will not stop 100% of dirty water.
Trapper, pop your drivers seat off and the Battery compartment is wide open and you can hose her down good. I will never be able to keep all debris out but that rear tire will fill that box. I want to keep the mud and snow out. also I put more ty wraps on all the cables in front of the left rear tire. The one goes up to the brain box behind the drivers seat.
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Trapper, pop your drivers seat off and the Battery compartment is wide open and you can hose her down good. I will never be able to keep all debris out but that rear tire will fill that box. I want to keep the mud and snow out. also I put more ty wraps on all the cables in front of the left rear tire. The one goes up to the brain box behind the drivers seat.
I will take a closer look is there enough room inside the battery box to close off the side facing the rear tire.
I will take a closer look is there enough room inside the battery box to close off the side facing the rear tire.
What is the tye wrap used for on the cables are talking like zip ties
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Yup. I hear them called Ty wraps, zip ties and snap ties.
All my cables were loose and flopping around. The cable that goes up high behind the drivers seat is for the ECM. When you pop your seat off you will see the cover for it. Needs more protection around it I think being right in front of a rock throwing tire.
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Yup. I hear them called Ty wraps, zip ties and snap ties.
All my cables were loose and flopping around. The cable that goes up high behind the drivers seat is for the ECM. When you pop your seat off you will see the cover for it. Needs more protection around it I think being right in front of a rock throwing tire.
What about the battery box could you line that inside like with some fiberglass and bondo. on the one side facing the tire
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I got some larger pieces of .090 Kydex in. I buy it from a Tandy store in Anchorage. It can be heated and formed. I will be using it on the radiator sides for rock protection and to cover the large opening in the battery box. I was hoping to have made these already but what I had was to small. I'm hoping I can get this done this weekend. I will post pics if I'm successful! :wink2:
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View attachment 2562
Hey! My family made the paper!
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View attachment 2554
I got some larger pieces of .090 Kydex in. I buy it from a Tandy store in Anchorage. It can be heated and formed. I will be using it on the radiator sides for rock protection and to cover the large opening in the battery box. I was hoping to have made these already but what I had was to small. I'm hoping I can get this done this weekend. I will post pics if I'm successful! :wink2:
I saw after you posted on amazon free shipping 12''x12'' .125 for $9.95 i will wait to buy to see if that works.
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