Flares won't help much to keep your rig clean if you've removed the running boards and or mud flaps. 2 pics below of my 80 back in 2016. I was running 255/85/16 tires (33") with 2.5" lift, but had removed running boards for the sliders on my way back from Baja on the dirt, well this time mud road after rainstorm between Highway 2 and Highway 1. 25 mph was about max. These were taken just north of Coco's corner where pavement was regained. As you can see, mud on and under truck was plentiful. I had cleaned off tag and headlights to get through Federalies checkpoints. As far as preference for flares, I have none. Depends on use. They will disappear off your rig if running tight and tough enough trails. Keep 'um as long as you can, but no sense in replacing them just for looks, IMHO.