For those times when your 4 x 2 pickup truck gets stuck in the mud and you don't have a 4 x 4 to help you get out.

I give you the 2 x 4 mud shoes!

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

(1) 2x4x8
Pack of tie down straps

Tools:
Miter saw or hand saw
Measuring tape
Drill & 1/6 bit

Optional tools:
Sander

Step 2: Measure for Your Shoes

Measure the width of your tires. You could even add about an inch or two for a wider shoe. Just make sure you have plenty of clearance with you wheel well.

Step 3: Measuring and Cutting

Once you've measured your tires width, again you can add an inch to either side and make that the width of your shoe. I made mine 10 1/2 inches wide.

Measure your boards and make your cuts.

I received a new bench sander for Christmas, so the optional step would be to send that down but not necessary.

Step 4: Measuring to Make the Holes for Your Strap's

Get out your slide rule and calculator, etc or just eye ball it.

It's not rocket science and it doesn't need to be precise. We are talking mud here.

Step 5: Drilling and Chiseling

Now it's time to drill out the holes for the strap to go through.

About 1 inch from the end of each side of the board drill all the way through four or five continuous holes in a row.

Then chisel out the material in between the holes to make a slit

And you have one completed shoe. Repeat to make a total of four shoes for your vehicle.