If you are talking DUST not mud I don't think any mudflaps are going to be much help. The dust will come off the back of the car and will collect on the back of the vehicle because of the airflow. Your best bet is not a mudflap but some sort of spoiler to alter the airflow. The spoiler that Ford makes is for looks and will have little effect. I'm talking something more like: http://www.lundlook.com/lund_truck_p...____truck.aspx I have no idea if there is one for the Escape

 

For those interested, I still haven't found, and therfore do not believe they exist at this time, molded flaps for the 08. So I bought 1 pair of generic Ford flats and installed on the fronts. I know, weird end to start on huh, but I noticed in this unusually excessive rainy season we're having, the sides get covered in road grime constantly. So I'm hoping I can hold out for molded rears, but will probably just get another pair of flats. Doesn't look too bad with just one pair up front. from behind the vehicle you can't see the fronts, from the front you can't see the rear. From the side, it's only obvious if you know theres a difference and you stare long enough. Now to see if it helped!

I have pics on my picture page. install was easy. I decided to notch a small section around the bump on the bottome plastic cover so it'd mount completly flush. Toughest part was decidings exactly how to hang them to provide adequate coverage, yet not stick to far off the side.

http://www.starlink-dss.com/Escape.htm

 

Do the flat mudflaps just snap into place or is it a more elaborate procedure to install them?

 

There was no snapping of anykind. They are so generic they are for several vehicles, so not even pre drilled holes. Just some pictures that show it 6" off the ground and do not hang crooked (duh). But relativly painless install. I spent most of the time taping into place, stepping back and looking at it, and tring to decide how bad it'll look with just 1 pair. I decided to hang it with the screw that is all ready in place about 1 1/8" down the flap and about an 1 1/4 from the outside. So mine may stick out a tad more than supposed to, but in this spot it covers the with of the tire, so hopefully will protect well. I also decided to cut a notch in the arch of the flap to accodomadate a bump in the plastic, this allowed the flap to sit flush the entil lenght of the wheel well, vs a small (1/8" maybe) (probably unnoticable) gap in about a 2" section.

But once I postioned one where I wanted it, it took no time to finish. I even got smart and held the 2 togather to drill my 1st hole so the 2nd side was easier, and in the same postion. I'm sure I'll get a 2nd par for the rear, but it doesn't look bad.

 

After driving after the first rain (didn't take long as it's been 16 days straight with rain here), the fronts seemed to almost eliminate all mud on the side of the vehicle, but of course there is still the water spots from the misting that occurs while driving, and I belive short of driving in a bubble nothing will eliminate those. But no mud spots on the doors!