deleting the drip rail? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

unreconstructed1 · 06-19-2007, 01:45 AM

Anyone here cut out the drip rail in their trucks? I am wanting to do this, but I am kind of worried that it will be above my experience level. Could someone who has done this tell me how hard it is to do?

Rollie396 · 06-19-2007, 02:37 AM

there has been some talk about that.It isn't for the weak of heart,and if you're in a wet environment it isn't really a great idea as they do serve a purpose.Do a quick search and you'll find the info available.

cooters · 06-19-2007, 09:18 AM

kevin at LFD did it and said he will never do it again. Thats all i needed to make me think twice.

bryanw1968 · 06-19-2007, 09:55 AM

I had a '78 that the PO did it to. It sucked when it rained. I wouldn't do it if you drive it a lot.

skunkwerx · 06-19-2007, 01:19 PM

did it on a friends truck,do about 3" at a time while cutting and weilding it back togeather.he dont drive it everyday but when it rains water comes in and its has alot more wind noise now.

dan468 · 06-19-2007, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skunkwerx

did it on a friends truck,do about 3" at a time while cutting and weilding it back togeather.he dont drive it everyday but when it rains water comes in and its has alot more wind noise now.

Did you guys do anything to fill the gaps between the door and the cab created by the lack of drip rails?

1lowdiesel · 06-19-2007, 01:54 PM

i was gonna do it then run some 3/8" rod in it's place all the way around to give it a nice rounded look and still have some protection.

randomhero472 · 06-19-2007, 02:08 PM

if it was me, i'd leave it... looks cool, but really only functional on a trailer queen

*72CSTC5* · 06-19-2007, 10:42 PM

Yep leave them if you drive regularly. May do it on the wife's truck but only because she will never drive it probably.

Brad · 06-20-2007, 12:12 AM

I'm very curious about the rain issue and wind noise. I would think that it would lower the amount of wind noise...why the opposite effect??? Also, why would this be a problem in the rain- if one has good door seals then why is it a problem???

Sequoyah · 06-20-2007, 12:55 AM

I'm not going to do it, but I was wondering about rain getting inside...if you had some wind deflectors I don't think it would be that big of an issue. Are they available for 68-72 trucks..and I guess older chevys in general?

gringoloco · 06-20-2007, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sequoyah

...if you had some wind deflectors I don't think it would be that big of an issue.

Kinda defeats the purpose, don'cha think?

Sequoyah · 06-20-2007, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Kinda defeats the purpose, don'cha think?

If you wanted to delete the drip rail it would...but, not for my purposes

FarmTruk · 06-20-2007, 01:30 AM

The doors are not designed like doors today. When you open the door, it just dumps all the water that's collected in the jamb right on you.

Modern "aircraft" style doors have integrated drains built into the jambs. On these old trucks, it's the drip rail that does that. When they're gone, the water gets on you.

turner15 · 06-20-2007, 07:06 AM

go for it. The cool factor out does the wet factor. I did mine and it was the first time for something like this. I'm far from a good body man. Take lots of time and do a small amount at a time. Sawsall is a great tool for this. Plus a good welder.

dan468 · 06-20-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turner15

go for it. The cool factor out does the wet factor. I did mine and it was the first time for something like this. I'm far from a good body man. Take lots of time and do a small amount at a time. Sawsall is a great tool for this. Plus a good welder.

Did you guys do anything to fill the gaps between the door and the cab created by the lack of drip rails?

gringoloco · 06-20-2007, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan468

Did you guys do anything to fill the gaps between the door and the cab created by the lack of drip rails?

If you cut them off, as opposed to drilling the spot welds out, the gap remains the same.

Raguemoe · 06-21-2007, 12:43 AM

When the shop shaved the drip rails on my truck the gaps were an uneven mess. This is one of those mods that you either go all the way or don't do at all. I have seen trucks that had it done and looked real bad. I had the guy rework all door gaps (top to bottom). Move the upper door frame to fit flush with the cab/door and he also reworked the door jams. He reworked the door channel so it was straight (no vent window!) Some pics.

68K20 x Drill · 06-21-2007, 02:36 AM

Am I the only one here who gets wet when it rains regardless of what is going on with the door?

revn67 · 06-21-2007, 09:45 AM

lol....nope your not the only one cause i get soaked when it rains, but i guess its because my driverside window vent is missing the rubber molding that surrounds it...eh well, thats why i tore my truck apart and i am now restoring it

rambler · 06-21-2007, 10:06 AM

I'v got a 67 small window cab, that was started by PO, still decideing to use it or not... still needs a lot of work,, and I have no $$$

06-19-2007, 01:45 AM	#1
unreconstructed1 nec absolutum Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 223	deleting the drip rail? Anyone here cut out the drip rail in their trucks? I am wanting to do this, but I am kind of worried that it will be above my experience level. Could someone who has done this tell me how hard it is to do? __________________ "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."~ Thomas Jefferson 1967 GMC C1500 LWB 250/3 on the tree- 1969 Chevy C/10 SWB 350/TH350 1996 Chevy Silverado LWB 350/4L60E 1997 Chevy K2500 350/4L80E

06-19-2007, 02:37 AM	#2
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	Re: deleting the drip rail? there has been some talk about that.It isn't for the weak of heart,and if you're in a wet environment it isn't really a great idea as they do serve a purpose.Do a quick search and you'll find the info available. __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics

06-19-2007, 09:18 AM	#3
cooters Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 458	Re: deleting the drip rail? kevin at LFD did it and said he will never do it again. Thats all i needed to make me think twice.

06-19-2007, 09:55 AM	#4
bryanw1968 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Leander, Texas Posts: 850	Re: deleting the drip rail? I had a '78 that the PO did it to. It sucked when it rained. I wouldn't do it if you drive it a lot.

06-19-2007, 01:19 PM	#5
skunkwerx Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 238	Re: deleting the drip rail? did it on a friends truck,do about 3" at a time while cutting and weilding it back togeather.he dont drive it everyday but when it rains water comes in and its has alot more wind noise now. Attached Images

06-19-2007, 01:54 PM	#7
1lowdiesel Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: central jersey Posts: 763	Re: deleting the drip rail? i was gonna do it then run some 3/8" rod in it's place all the way around to give it a nice rounded look and still have some protection. __________________ 69 4wd V6 20k orig miles!! 05 ccsb 2wd Diesel 500hp bagged and soon to be stock floored. 01 rcsb chevy 2wd 6bt cummins :devil:> build xtremediesel.com

06-19-2007, 02:08 PM	#8
randomhero472 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 516	Re: deleting the drip rail? if it was me, i'd leave it... looks cool, but really only functional on a trailer queen __________________ 67' in the "build" process.. soon to be bagged, big wheels ect, finally got it back home!!

06-19-2007, 10:42 PM	#9
72CSTC5 Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Deer Park, Tx. Posts: 2,524	Re: deleting the drip rail? Yep leave them if you drive regularly. May do it on the wife's truck but only because she will never drive it probably.

06-20-2007, 12:12 AM	#10
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,673	Re: deleting the drip rail? I'm very curious about the rain issue and wind noise. I would think that it would lower the amount of wind noise...why the opposite effect??? Also, why would this be a problem in the rain- if one has good door seals then why is it a problem??? __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten...

06-20-2007, 12:55 AM	#11
Sequoyah so easy a caveman can do it... Join Date: May 2006 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 419	Re: deleting the drip rail? I'm not going to do it, but I was wondering about rain getting inside...if you had some wind deflectors I don't think it would be that big of an issue. Are they available for 68-72 trucks..and I guess older chevys in general?

06-20-2007, 01:30 AM	#14
FarmTruk In Memoriam... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wallburg, NC Posts: 1,216	Re: deleting the drip rail? The doors are not designed like doors today. When you open the door, it just dumps all the water that's collected in the jamb right on you. Modern "aircraft" style doors have integrated drains built into the jambs. On these old trucks, it's the drip rail that does that. When they're gone, the water gets on you. __________________ '68 C10 SWB 307ci 2BBL *FarmTruk Pics Here* *"You know, doing what is right is easy. The problem is knowing what is right."*

06-20-2007, 07:06 AM	#15
turner15 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 265	Re: deleting the drip rail? go for it. The cool factor out does the wet factor. I did mine and it was the first time for something like this. I'm far from a good body man. Take lots of time and do a small amount at a time. Sawsall is a great tool for this. Plus a good welder. Attached Images

06-21-2007, 12:43 AM	#18
Raguemoe Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Highland CA Posts: 742	Re: deleting the drip rail? When the shop shaved the drip rails on my truck the gaps were an uneven mess. This is one of those mods that you either go all the way or don't do at all. I have seen trucks that had it done and looked real bad. I had the guy rework all door gaps (top to bottom). Move the upper door frame to fit flush with the cab/door and he also reworked the door jams. He reworked the door channel so it was straight (no vent window!) Some pics. Attached Images

06-21-2007, 02:36 AM	#19
68K20 x Drill Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Freedom CA Posts: 488	Re: deleting the drip rail? Am I the only one here who gets wet when it rains regardless of what is going on with the door? __________________ 68 Chevrolet k20 Longbed 350 SM465/205, Dana 44, 14bolt, Power steering, Power Disk Brakes, 35" BFGs. 84 Chevrolet Suburban K20 6.2 Banks turbo TH400/NP208 Now with G80 68 GMC C20 Parts? Truck And a few cars

06-21-2007, 09:45 AM	#20
revn67 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: east longmeadow, MA Posts: 540	Re: deleting the drip rail? lol....nope your not the only one cause i get soaked when it rains, but i guess its because my driverside window vent is missing the rubber molding that surrounds it...eh well, thats why i tore my truck apart and i am now restoring it __________________ 67 small windowed,shortbed,fleetside, sbc 327, th350,12 bolt :under the knife: 71 cab for sale in parts classifieds! 2004 black chevy 1500 "finish your beer, theres sober kids in india!"



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06-21-2007, 10:06 AM	#21
rambler MOVE OVER Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Warrensburg, MO Posts: 5,470	Re: deleting the drip rail? I'v got a 67 small window cab, that was started by PO, still decideing to use it or not... still needs a lot of work,, and I have no $$$ __________________ No matter where you are..... There you are... Buckaroo Banzi

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