Shaved drip rails

[burb1085]

Do you guys with the shaved drip rails have any problems with rain/water leaking in the cab? Thinking about doing this, but I don't have a garage to park in.

[homemade87]

They do help keep water from running around the door seal. If you have any problem from your seal it will allow that much more water to seep in. Also wait untill you get cought in the rain and have to exit or enter the truck. You will get soaked from the run off from the roof. If it is a dailey driver I would preffer to have them on.

[MB84C10]

The only problem is you need to fill and smooth alot to match door. the door will be out past the roof with drip rails removed. I have this done to mine looks awesome tho!

[esbstuff]

Originally Posted by MB84C10

The only problem is you need to fill and smooth alot to match door. the door will be out past the roof with drip rails removed. I have this done to mine looks awesome tho!

A correctly fitted door will be smooth with the cab. However, people have gotten lazy with door fitment as the drip rail hides the misalignment

[comegetsome2003]

I shaved them on my dually.....looks OK without them but I would rather have them back on there....like stated above it highlights my misaligned doors. My door rubbers aren't up to par either so I do get water inside....I'd personally leave them if I had it to do over again
Posted via Mobile Device

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by esbstuff

A correctly fitted door will be smooth with the cab. However, people have gotten lazy with door fitment as the drip rail hides the misalignment

Actually, the factory intent was for the top of the door to be slightly inboard, particularly in the A pillar area.

This was (again) in an attempt to minimize wind noise.

K

[esbstuff]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Actually, the factory intent was for the top of the door to be slightly inboard, particularly in the A pillar area.

This was (again) in an attempt to minimize wind noise.

K

I stand corrected... Thank you! Eric

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Actually, the factory intent was for the top of the door to be slightly inboard, particularly in the A pillar area.

This was (again) in an attempt to minimize wind noise.

K

And here I was just about to play Russian Roulette cause u can't get my doors to line up straight. Glad to know I wasn't crazy after all!
Posted via Mobile Device

[esbstuff]

Originally Posted by burb1085

Do you guys with the shaved drip rails have any problems with rain/water leaking in the cab? Thinking about doing this, but I don't have a garage to park in.

They will leak ALL THE TIME....

FYI GM did not initially build squares with drip rail. All 73's and some early 74's did not have them. Once the problem was highlighted... GM did a dealer install of drip rails. ( I believe just for the asking, but if anyone can verify I would love to know...)

You can tell factory installed vs dealer installed easily. Factory installed have bolt head screws in them (9/32 head I believe) and dealer installed have phillps head (+) screws in them. To a true restorer, the phillps screws are worth $$ as this was the only place GM ever used them. At least from what I was told.

I have had 2 trucks, one 73 and one 74 that did not have drip rails as of the late 90's.

[esbstuff]

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=15

If you do or have removed the drip rail use #5 (lower half of the page) to help with water issues inside. This is the same part idea that GM used in 73-74 trying to stop water... I don't know if they were available for the rear doors as we don't have very many crew cab squares here.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by esbstuff

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=15

If you do or have removed the drip rail use #5 (lower half of the page) to help with water issues inside. This is the same part idea that GM used in 73-74 trying to stop water... I don't know if they were available for the rear doors as we don't have very many crew cab squares here.

I believe secondary door seals were added in an attempt to affect wind noise. They were added and then removed (as a cost reduction) a couple times during the product lifecycle.

Relative to water control: the drip rails don't solve everything, as they end just short of the top of the A pillar. When the door is open during entry/egress they channel the water flow into the cab directly onto your left foot.

K

[esbstuff]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I believe secondary door seals were added in an attempt to affect wind noise. They were added and then removed (as a cost reduction) a couple times during the product lifecycle.

Relative to water control: the drip rails don't solve everything, as they end just short of the top of the A pillar. When the door is open during entry/egress they channel the water flow into the cab directly onto your left foot.

K

Was the 73-74 seals the same as the 79-82's? The only later truck I have seen them on was a loaded 82... I just might add them to my 87 and see what the differance is. I did add the fender to cab foam/seal and it helped alot.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by esbstuff

Was the 73-74 seals the same as the 79-82's? The only later truck I have seen them on was a loaded 82... I just might add them to my 87 and see what the differance is. I did add the fender to cab foam/seal and it helped alot.

I don't believe they were exactly the same. The design iterates as it comes and goes.

Bottom line is I remember zero discussion about water management; but the discussion and projects around wind noise were non stop.

My truck is so noisy that it really wouldn't matter....

K

[meatwagon83]

My truck had,them shaved when I bought it, and i put them back on! I think it looks better with them
Posted via Mobile Device

[bigwheel15]

I shaved mine, never really noticed a difference when getting out in the rain since youre still going to get wet regardless.

[bohmankid]

Out of all 5 of my squares, 3 have the drip rails shaved and 2 don't.
The ones that were shaved NEVER leak, but when I opened my door on a really wet/rainy/snowy day, it would start flowing inside the truck so I'd have to hop in there real quick and shut the door LOL.

[wraprail]

I shaved mine. It never rains here.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by wraprail

I shaved mine. It never rains here.

I hate you.


















(...just kidding, of course.... )

[wraprail]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I hate you.


















(...just kidding, of course.... )

LOL ...Keith..

You get much rain?

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by wraprail

LOL ...Keith..

You get much rain?

It's Michigan. We are surrounded by water.

Wanna know what we call a pretty day that comes after three straight days of rain?

























Monday.

But that's only half the year. The other half we get snow.

K