Drip rails

[Maxwell007]

Okay...I've looked at dozens of posts, many of them suggest shaving the rails. Others say to replace but I haven't been able to find one that shows me exactly how to replace the rail. I stopped by Brother's Trucks yesterday and looked at the new rail before I purchased it. I asked the guy how they were attached since I saw no holes for spot welding or screws. He had no idea how to install it. I then went home, looked at my truck and must admit that I have no idea how to remove the old one to even get started. I can see no welds, no screws, no nothing. What holds it on? Better yet...how do you get the old one off? It's embarrassing to have to ask this question as I'm reasonably mechanically inclined but for the life of me, I don't know where to begin. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Grumpy old man]

They are spot welded on , You'll have to locate them and use a spot weld cutter then weld new one on .

[vitamin_c95]

I've been searching for this too

[Maxwell007]

Thanks Grumpy. I suspected this was the case but mine are perfectly smooth as were the ones on the showroom cab at the store. Also no holes in the new one for spot welding so I assume the plan is to drill new holes. Again, thanks for getting me straightened out. It's much appreciated.

[mongocanfly]

factory spot welds don't require a hole to weld...its simply 2 pieces of metal fused together with heat and pressure

[Ben IV]

Hitting the under side of the drip rails with a sanding disc will show you where the spot welds are. Paint will stay in them since they are below flush of the base metal. You can just drill matching holes in the new rails or get a pneumatic punch/flange tool that will make quick clean work of the holes.