'64 fleet side drip rail?

[jtm]

Definitley buying the '64. 350 with 3 speed manual on the floor. Do not have all the details yet and finalizing the deal tomorrow hopefully. The guy I am buying from works for a friend of mine at the South Austin Speed Shop, so I at least know where to find him if something is screwed up...actually, he is a good guy and is going to help me put power steering and disc brakes in front...

has anyone ever cut the drip rail off the top of one of these? there is of course rust running around the top....want to cut it off and smooth it out...

[Chevy Fleetside]

On another thread, someone had a picture of one without the drip rail on it. it looked kinda funny to me but wasn't to bad.. Maybe I can dig it up for you..

[jtm]

cool, thanks...it is already lowered and may be some more..it will end up being silk or matt black...i am after that sleek smooth look so was thinking it would look cool...but woudl like to see one that has been done..

[Chevy Fleetside]

I couldn't find it...

[salazar44]

Originally Posted by jtm

Definitley buying the '64. 350 with 3 speed manual on the floor. Do not have all the details yet and finalizing the deal tomorrow hopefully. The guy I am buying from works for a friend of mine at the South Austin Speed Shop, so I at least know where to find him if something is screwed up...actually, he is a good guy and is going to help me put power steering and disc brakes in front...

has anyone ever cut the drip rail off the top of one of these? there is of course rust running around the top....want to cut it off and smooth it out...

I remember seeing this done on "trucks tv". I plan on doing it myself although it does require a welder which I do not have, nor do I know how to weld.

The trick is to only cut off about 6-8 inches at a time. Then weld it shut and repeat. He said the reason is because that drip rail area is what holds the roof on so if you just cut it all off at once it can possibly buckle in all sorts of angles. It was done a 67 c10 but Im sure it applies to a broad range of drip rails.

Good luck, and please let me know how it goes if you get to it before I do. I will do the same.

[Frizzle Fry]

Not sure how it would look on a 64-66. Looks good on a 60-63 in my humble opinion You do need to round the door corners after shaving the drip rail though. Otherwise they look horrible IMO. Check my 61 pics.

[jtm]

its basically a folded over strip of metal. will have to ask my friend about the welder portion, will have to add that on to list of stuff he will have to help me with if that is so....not sure yet...just throwing out ideas and seeing what sticks...would actually like to chop it at some point, you never know....

[L0WRIDE]

I have just shaved the drip rails on my 65 Fleetside and am in the process of rounding the tops of the doors, makes a hell of a lot of difference to the appearance to the truck,will try to post pics as soon as I get the camera working.Big thanks to Frizzle Fry as I got the idea from his 61.

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by L0WRIDE

I have just shaved the drip rails on my 65 Fleetside and am in the process of rounding the tops of the doors, makes a hell of a lot of difference to the appearance to the truck,will try to post pics as soon as I get the camera working.Big thanks to Frizzle Fry as I got the idea from his 61.

Got any pics yet?

[L0WRIDE]

A few pics

[Frizzle Fry]

Right on Lowride! Looking forward to the pics.

[salazar44]

whats all involved in the process of rounding the doors?

[Frizzle Fry]

I marked my curves with a caliper. Then used a jig saw to cut the piece off the door and welded it to the cab. Then clamped and welded up the door edges (use some steel rod and file to finish) and make/install a strip to fill the area next to the piece that was welded to the cab. See pics...here's a good link

[jtm]

pretty much decided not to do it. going to leave outer appearance as stock as possible..will just have to have some creative body work done..first are brakes and power steering...then bed, body work, paint....maybe this time next year it will be done....