bed rails

[harold64]

does anybody know of a site that helps you make bed rails for a 64 chevy? thanks for any help.

[markeb01]

If you mean vintage style tie down rails that go on top of the bed sides, the only thing I found remotely close to a vintage design is the Perrycraft mini-tube bullet model. They are shorter in height than the original accessory version, but they work great. The mounts are very strong and even come with self sealing screws. The "tubes" appear to be solid stainless rods with solid stainless bullet shaped ends, and even the brackets are stainless. The length cannot be adjusted, as the rods come assembled with the bullet ends already in place.

I believe the original bed rails were chrome tubing with chrome pot metal supports. Most of the originals I've seen are badly rusted, so they may not have been very durable, or just suffered neglect along with most trucks from this period. I would have preferred NOS originals, but I've only seen 1 set for sale on eBay a few years ago that went for over $500. Here's what the Perrycraft version looks like on a short stepside. In the 2nd photo the right tube looks bent, but it's just the lighting:





I used the 6' version, they also come in an eight foot length. I got mine from this outfit because their pricing was so much better than everyone else:

http://www.customautotrim.com/truck-...ini/Universal/

Here's what originals looked like for comparison:



If you're looking for the skid strips for the bed floor, most of the classic truck suppliers can provide those.

[aerotruk63]

They came on El Camino's 58 up, also I got a set off a Ford product. I don't know if GM & Ford shared suppliers. I've been trying to find the manufacturer for years. They look alot like the stuff you find on boats. There is a casting stamp marked DCP on them. The tubes are split and layered so I can see why they would rust out.

[markeb01]

Those originals may be fragile but they sure are pretty. Somebody put a lot of work into designing those mounts.

[aerotruk63]

Dropping off a boat in northern Ontario, I came across a marina that had all sorts of railing parts. I purchased two bullets from them, though they tuned out to be much shorter than the originals, they did fit snug into the towers and the matched the contour of the towers as well.

So on Ebay I came across a listing for spotlight brackets that were actually the towers for the side rails. I message the guy and he tells me he has 10 of them in a bucket. So being the nice guy that I was, I tell him what they actually were. Auction ends and he informs me that the auction was for 1, though in his description, he mentioned the 10.
He starts another auction and sells the remaining, with the correct description that I gave him and they sell for $250.00.
I vowed to take the one tower I received and make it into a toilet paper holder. This way every time I take a dump, it will remind me to keep my s..t to myself.

[harold64]

the rails im talking about are wood. ive checked in forums,internet, ect,i want to put 2 wood rails on each side of the bed. only problem is spacing bewten them. any suggestions?each rail willbe 1x6 wide. then plan on routing on them bad bow tie. any help or suggestions would be helpful. thanks

[aerotruk63]

I don't understand the spacing between them problem. Could you elaborate?

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

Auction ends and he informs me that the auction was for 1, though in his description, he mentioned the 10.
He starts another auction and sells the remaining, with the correct description that I gave him and they sell for $250.00.

Thanks for sharing the story. We've all been there at least once!

[harold64]

hey aerotruk63, the spacing im talking about is between the top rail and the one next to it . im thinking 3 inches between them, what do you all think?

[markeb01]

It took a while to determine what these are called, but it appears “sideboards” are what you are looking for. I’m not finding any classic or contemporary truck suppliers offering these. It appears most are home built. Here are a few links that may prove informative. If you lack woodworking equipment, any local cabinet shop should be able to build what you need if you provide them with a plan:

http://www.chevytrucks.org/jeff/tech/stake/stake.htm
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=326211
http://www.ehow.com/how_5703638_make...ler-sides.html
http://cs.scaleautomag.com/scacs/forums/t/84333.aspx
http://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/...=539733&page=1

[tpimuncie]

ok so today I seen a 1960-1966 fleetside with tailgate rails was this also an accessorie?

[aerotruk63]

Not in any literature I have.
Would be interesting to see any casting numbers or letters hidden on the tailgate rail.

[unclebrad]

Local craigslist ad has two vintage sets.
$1500 each set. Yikes.
But he also has an old newspaper ad for them when they were new.

The set I have on my 68 Ranchero look slightly different.
Maybe Gm and Ford offered them as an option?


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1575680556