Update on PPF recommendation with photo…

[RHOfan]

We’ve all seen the abuse the front half of the flared bedsides takes from debris thrown up by the front tires. It’s bad. So, I had the front half of my bed PPF’d. Not the best solution, as there is a visible cut-off line above the wheel. But, it WAS the most cost-effective option ($500 vs. $1500 to do both complete bedsides).

Well, I’ve installed the WeatherTech front mud guards. After 16+ miles of off-road, some at high speed with front wheels spinning around turns, I noticed something. The mud guards protected all but the most bottom portion of the bedside! That lower portion took some heavy hits (enough to tear the film).

What’s great is you can probably get away with just applying PPF to that lower section on both sides & use the body crease line (where the two-tone starts) as the film cut-off point. It will be much less expensive & nearly invisible! Of course, that’s assuming you also install the WeatherTech front mud guards.

I’d also highly, highly recommend doing the headlights & painted spats below the headlights, front radar cover & fog lamps. I don’t tailgate, but both my headlights already have some impact marks on the film.

I’m not the biggest proponent of PPF, but used strategically, it can be cost effective & highly useful.

 

[Banger]

Great post. Mine was dropped off yesterday for ceramic and front end/high impact are PPF.
I'm going to have them add those areas to the mix!
Question: do you have the off road running boards? I do, and understand this will help with a lot of the impact

 

[gmoney0818]

We’ve all seen the abuse the front half of the flared bedsides takes from debris thrown up by the front tires. It’s bad. So, I had the front half of my bed PPF’d. Not the best solution, as there is a visible cut-off line above the wheel. But, it WAS the most cost-effective option ($500 vs. $1500 to do both complete bedsides).

Well, I’ve installed the WeatherTech front mud guards. After 16+ miles of off-road, some at high speed with front wheels spinning around turns, I noticed something. The mud guards protected all but the most bottom portion of the bedside! That lower portion took some heavy hits (enough to tear the film).

What’s great is you can probably get away with just applying PPF to that lower section on both sides & use the body crease line (where the two-tone starts) as the film cut-off point. It will be much less expensive & nearly invisible! Of course, that’s assuming you also install the WeatherTech front mud guards.

I’d also highly, highly recommend doing the headlights & painted spats below the headlights, front radar cover & fog lamps. I don’t tailgate, but both my headlights already have some impact marks on the film.

I’m not the biggest proponent of PPF, but used strategically, it can be cost effective & highly useful.

Nice. Which weather tech mud flaps did you get my understanding they didn’t have one that fit yet unless you only purchased the front ones which were for the TRX. Also, do you have any on the back?

 

[RHOfan]

Great post. Mine was dropped off yesterday for ceramic and front end/high impact are PPF.
I'm going to have them add those areas to the mix!
Question: do you have the off road running boards? I do, and understand this will help with a lot of the impact

I have the power running boards.

Here’s the thing, based on the angle that a rock thrown by the front tire will travel, if it can get past the mudguard, most running boards will not block it (unless they hang quite low).

 

[RHOfan]

Nice. Which weather tech mud flaps did you get my understanding they didn’t have one that fit yet unless you only purchased the front ones which were for the TRX. Also, do you have any on the back?

I bought the 2024 TRX fronts. None in rear, but not really a problem as there is not much paint back there. When available for RHO, I will get the rears, but just for the balanced look.

 

[Banger]

I just talked to my detailer. He's making sure the front fog lights get PPF'ed. The lower portion of the bed, below the crease line, were already getting covered, front and back, as part of their high impact package (along with rocker panels and lower doors).
Also having them do the hood, painted spats below headlights, headlights. And I also had them do critical, high frequency touch points: door handles, door handle cups, and gas cap. He did, however, recommend against PPF'ing the radar cover, as they have had complaints of disruptions causing warning lights to be displayed. LOL. I figured I'd take his advice for the meantime and leave it off, and I don't want any more variables to play in with potential error displays! I'll re-eval once any issues with these vehicles settle out and get figured out then consider applying over the radar cover.

 

[RHOfan]

I just talked to my detailer. He's making sure the front fog lights get PPF'ed. The lower portion of the bed, below the crease line, were already getting covered, front and back, as part of their high impact package (along with rocker panels and lower doors).
Also having them do the hood, painted spats below headlights, headlights. And I also had them do critical, high frequency touch points: door handles, door handle cups, and gas cap. He did, however, recommend against PPF'ing the radar cover, as they have had complaints of disruptions causing warning lights to be displayed. LOL. I figured I'd take his advice for the meantime and leave it off, and I don't want any more variables to play in with potential error displays! I'll re-eval once any issues with these vehicles settle out and get figured out then consider applying over the radar cover.

Sounds like a great plan of action.

As the the radar cover, Expel Ultimate (or whatever their top PPF is called) is specifically rated for use on radar covers. Apparently, there is no metallic layer to the film, which can interfere with radar. Ram has issued no opinion on the topic.

I have had some front radar faults (something about limited functionality, service required), so it could be the film, theoretically. But, I’ve also had blind spot detection faults, so who knows? It did start after PPF install, but fully charging my batteries weekly seems to have stopped most of the faults.

 

[Banger]

I’ll ask about the Expel Ultimate. Thanks for the info!!

 

[RamFan]

Agreed, Expel and 3M are both good for the radar unit. Had it on my Mazda6 with zero issues.

Chris

 

[Banger]

Agreed, Expel and 3M are both good for the radar unit. Had it on my Mazda6 with zero issues.

Chris

For the radar unit, I may just purchase some and install myself once I can confirm that all potential issues are worked out with sensors, etc. I want to minimize any extraneous variables for the moment!