1972 lower molding alignment with body line

[General23cmp]

So I took tons of pictures of my truck before the restoration, and the lower side moldings appeared to be 100% original. However, the edge of the trim is directly on the body line edge, and I believe it is supposed to be below the body line. Can anyone confirm what original should look like? I’ve heard 3/8” below the body line and I’ve heard right on the edge like what I have. Thanks.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by General23cmp

So I took tons of pictures of my truck before the restoration, and the lower side moldings appeared to be 100% original. However, the edge of the trim is directly on the body line edge, and I believe it is supposed to be below the body line. Can anyone confirm what original should look like? I’ve heard 3/8” below the body line and I’ve heard right on the edge like what I have. Thanks.

4/10" below. Many say 3/8" which is close enough.

[General23cmp]

Is that per a drawing? I’ve just seen many that were not near that, including original trim.

[samkost]

General,
Here is a photo of the original mounting locations on my 1972 for reference.
I am familiar with just 3/8" below the body line on other 1969 -72 trucks.
One thing to consider is if you have a paint break scheme on your truck.
My 72's molding is centered on the paint break.
Good luck.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by General23cmp

Is that per a drawing? I’ve just seen many that were not near that, including original trim.

That's per I don't remember, but confirmed by my C20 Super. 4/10". The body was done in 10ths, bumpers and mirrors too.

Originally Posted by samkost

General,
Here is a photo of the original mounting locations on my 1972 for reference.
I am familiar with just 3/8" below the body line on other 1969 -72 trucks.
One thing to consider is if you have a paint break scheme on your truck.
My 72's molding is centered on the paint break.
Good luck.

That's a beautiful truck Sam, probably my favorite paint scheme. Good information on that paint line too, that's how I understand it to be correct. I think they're dead center down all the moldings, though I believe "pending" may be slightly off the upper side molding, at the rear. This is because it needs to conform with what's going on at the tail. I know mine will be off a tad, because sometimes the upper moldings can look funny if done per the manual (long and not always perfect). So you find a happy spot and run with it. We had to drill for all moldings side and rear.

[samkost]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

That's per I don't remember, but confirmed by my C20 Super. 4/10". The body was done in 10ths, bumpers and mirrors too.



That's a beautiful truck Sam, probably my favorite paint scheme. Good information on that paint line too, that's how I understand it to be correct. I think they're dead center down all the moldings, though I believe "pending" may be slightly off the upper side molding, at the rear. This is because it needs to conform with what's going on at the tail. I know mine will be off a tad, because sometimes the upper moldings can look funny if done per the manual (long and not always perfect). So you find a happy spot and run with it. We had to drill for all moldings side and rear.

Thanks, 71CHEVYSHORTBED402,
Great information too about the factory assembly manual measurements.
I bought an upper molding and clip set (still in the pakages) but decided to go with just the lowers.
I remember reading somewhere here on changing from the original stock level mounting of the upper trim moldings.
Curious, I wanna find a photo of that modification.
Sick42's early years lower molding are "Sick"

[General23cmp]

Thank you. My truck is solid colored there. Are you saying your trim is close to 3/8” below or not? My front fender piece looks like yours, very close to the line, but my other lower is perhaps closer to the line than yours (and mine was original too). Perhaps it wasn’t tightly controlled at the factory.

[NorCalC20LWB]

Just for comparison here is how the painter put my lower molding on. Looks like he ran it right along the body line.

[samkost]

General,
Yes, mine is just below 3/8" from the rear front fender, door and the bed.
I see what you mean by the front fender cup trim on mine and others.
NorCalC20LWB's trucks lower trim looks beautiful hugging that line.
I'm far from an expert but I think following the body line slightly below or follows on it, you're good to go!
You may be right, it may be a factory assembly difference.
As long as your cab mounts and bed lines are leveled correctly I think you're fine.
Good luck!

[sick472]

Right, Wrong, or indifferent...I like the lower molding (any years) to be that 3/8 or 4/10th's below the body line. It gives the trim-line just a bit more depth. Not that there is any real difference. SO long is it's got alot of bright-work...I'm liking it alot!

The location of the 67-68 lower trim I put on my 72 truck was dictated by the wheel well trim and how it fit the well and landed at the body line. The rears sat 3/8" plus below the body line, while the fronts were 3/8" minus below. Close enough for who it was for...

[General23cmp]

That 3/8” really makes sense for the earlier generation trim above as you can see that same line goes above the wheels and you keep that spacing the whole length.

[General23cmp]

So, looking at the manual drawings, it appears that the center of the molding should be 8.3” vertically (straight up, not riding the tape measure up the slight body curvature) from the bottom edge of the rocker. I’ll have to see where that places it on mine.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by General23cmp

So, looking at the manual drawings, it appears that the center of the molding should be 8.3” vertically (straight up, not riding the tape measure up the slight body curvature) from the bottom edge of the rocker. I’ll have to see where that places it on mine.

I wouldn't even go there, the top of the lower is 4/10" below the body line 3/8" if it makes you happy. If you want to know the upper I can tell you that too. I can even cite where to drill, and how to do a few wrong too, ask me how I know?

The assembly manuals are a guide only, one reason is because the primary 30" vertical reference line is a mystery - though I do know where it is. You're assuming the stance, they measure from panel to panel, which is less than practical, though I'm no engineer. Either way the lowers are easy, 3/8"-4/10".

This is right, though the top rear is off a pinch than the manual. The GM moldings aren't perfect. Don't take my word for it, measure your lower door moldings, good chance one is longer and it could be either side........The upper is a long stretch, one piece had a slight bow in the middle, wants a boost upwards for straight. Per the manual the piece looked great straight on, but from the front and back it looked awful. Grateful for the second pair of better eyes, we found a happy medium for both raising the rear by 1/8-3/16" I don't recall at the moment.

The factory didn't exactly line up the upper bed at the rear to specs. to begin with. They don't even match on my Super. Safe to say the assemblers couldn't have cared any less what the assembly manual read beyond the prototype

[General23cmp]

Thanks. I understand what you’re saying, but while the 30 line can be a bit of a mystery, the 5 line is pretty easy to align to under the door, looking the drawing. Simply put a square on the 5 line flat spot and make a spot at 8.3” up. I’d bet it ends up at the agreed 4/10”, but could explain why some aren’t at 4/10”. Then whatever distance you get at that marking, apply that distance from the body line through the rest of the molding.

Having said that...I’ll probably go 4/10” anyway.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by General23cmp

Thanks. I understand what you’re saying, but while the 30 line can be a bit of a mystery, the 5 line is pretty easy to align to under the door, looking the drawing. Simply put a square on the 5 line flat spot and make a spot at 8.3” up. I’d bet it ends up at the agreed 4/10”, but could explain why some aren’t at 4/10”. Then whatever distance you get at that marking, apply that distance from the body line through the rest of the molding.

Having said that...I’ll probably go 4/10” anyway.

Agreed. That first graph is actually pretty cool. I was talking 30" reference point like most of the pages, but that one provides much more.

[rockyrivermark]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Agreed. That first graph is actually pretty cool. I was talking 30" reference point like most of the pages, but that one provides much more.

3/8” is .375 and of course 4/10’s is .400
I think you are good at 3/8”. That’s where I set my lower molding.
RRM
Posted via Mobile Device

[General23cmp]

Thanks. I am going to see how close 0.375-0.400” aligns up with the drawing. But, I will likely go with that anyway. I doubt I’m good enough to make a real difference in 0.375” and 0.400”.