Keeping mud off the back window?

I’m a new 4-runner owner because I hated how often my Wrangler would end up in the shop. I’m a rural carrier for the post office and I need a reliable vehicle with plenty of room and 4-wheel drive to get through the spring and fall mud season as well as snow and ice during the Iowa winters. I’ve had it for 6 months now and I have been pretty happy with it.
The modifications I have done is to install a throttle body spacer. I suppose it has given it more power but the gas mileage has gone from 14.8 down to 14.1 in the last month and a half. I’m tempted to take it out to see if the gas mileage goes back to where it was. I have also put in gas and brake pedal’s on the right side to accommodate my job. I have also put on a steering stick to steer with since I think they are easier to use than steel knobs.
My biggest trouble is keeping the mud off my back window and wonder what the best solution is, mudflaps behind the wheels or a full bumper? Looking forward to seeing what other modifications would work well and how you guys use the forerunner besides just traveling.

 

Damn post office makes you drive your own vehicle? How much the compensate for that.

 

They give us about .70 cents a mile. It changes with the cost of gas. Never covers all the costs. We need a back up car as well.

 

Could you post a picture of your interior. I’m curious to see the extra brake and gas pedal.

 

I don't think there is anything that will keep the back of a 'Runner clear. I have dust and dirt to contend with along with rain and snow (road spray followin' me). Had flaps on my '13, but that didn't help. Keep yer window washer reservoir filled. Good luck.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin! I'll bet you put up with the same weather as we do. Thanx for the job you guys (rural carriers) do. I'm not sure if a full length bumper mudflap would be that great, as compared to just the 'behind wheels' ones. Before we bought our 4Runner a woman told us "good luck trying to keep the back window clean", she thought, and I'm not positive, that the rear overhang that houses the rear wiper and 3rd brake light causes a vortex type air swirl and keeps dust, snow etc. up there, could be, we live on gravel road and the dust likes to build on the rear window. Speaking of full bumper flaps, maybe the one for people who pull campers, the one with all the strands hanging down. Good luck.

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

Figure all that stop and go of being rural mail carrier is horrible on your MPG's.
I too would like to see your steering / gas peddle set up.

I've just about given up on keeping the rear of my 4Runner clean. I live off a mile long gravel road. Driving super slow (5mph) might keep the rear clean but it will drive me insane.

 

Thanks for the welcome, everyone. I will post a couple of pictures of the brake and gas pedal setup after I wash the 4-runner tonight when I get done with the route. It has been pretty muddy lately but at least it’s not the dust choking me out on a dry day.

 

The design of the rear wiper cover only helps the wind tunnel fuel mileage numbers and the people who don't like an exposed wiper blade.
Third Gen owners don't have such a big problem because of the air foil design that directs air down and across the rear window.
I've been contemplating designing an air foil to do the same as the 3rd Gens.

 

I do miss that one on my 02.

 

Gen 4.2's had and actual scoop built into the "spoiler" that, I guess, attempted funnel air down the back. That pretty much didn't work either. At least with the Gen 5's the wiper is out of the sun. LOL!

 

I’ve been trying to upload a photo and a video of the brakes & Excelerator pills but I am not able to do so in this forum. Not sure why. I’ll keep trying.

 

Those look good but they didn’t list the 2012. I sent customer service a note to see if they would work.

 

I don't think you're going to have much luck. The boxy shape of the 4Runner creates a low pressure zone at the rear of the vehicle that creates drag, and that pulls up a bunch of crap from the road (mud, dust, road spray, etc.). The larger mud flaps may help some, but I think you'll still have some issue.