69-70 CST gutter rail chrome

[72USA1]

Did all 69-70 CST truck leave the factory with chrome gutter covers?
According to the factory options list for CST package they are supposed to have it. I have only seen very few trucks with the gutter chrome.
I tried to attach a photo from a factory manual. Read item 12 about the gutter molding.

[chewychevy67]

I've never seen a truck that had them from the factory so I'd guess not on all trucks.

[Jim Boy]

At the top of your list it says Options. You get if you pay for it. Have a nice day.

[72USA1]

Originally Posted by Jim Boy

At the top of your list it says Options. You get if you pay for it. Have a nice day.

Yes, you have to pay for it, but what’s it’s saying is that every CST package comes with it when you purchase the CST package.
Every CST should have the chrome drip rail.

[Steeveedee]

Interesting. I have NEVER seen a truck with a chrome gutter rail molding. I'm still puzzled why my CST truck never had the chrome trim on the windshield gasket. I suspect that that was added later in the year? I've seen options that came sooner or later on these trucks.

[too much stuff]

I am surprised you have seen very few with the drip rail trim. I have never seen one. I think there is paper work showing it was nixed at the factory.
It also says the side marker were cst "reflectors". I have only seen one set of cst reflectors in my life also. They usually have lights in them.

Steeveedee, i would guess your windshield was replaced at some point and the installer couldn't handle getting the stainless back in. If you have the chrome vent windows and trim around the back glass, the windshield should have it also.

[Steeveedee]

Yup, that's a puzzle. I do have the chrome vent windows. Don't know about the stainless trim in the back glass; this truck has had a camper "permanently" installed, with a boot and no window, as of '73. If the windshield had been replaced, they used a new gasket with no groove for the stainless trim. I met my soon-to-be wife in '80, so if the windshield had been replaced, the truck wasn't very old.

[jerry moss]

My parents ordered a 69 CST and it did not have the drip rail trim, my dad is frugal and didn't order anything that he didn't feel was necessary. It had power steering and power brakes and he installed aftermarket air conditioning cause it was cheaper I guess.It was a shortbed fleetside.

[GMCPaul]

The option was added to the brochure's but was discontinued prior to actual production so none were ever made with the option.
The reason we heard this occurred was this option had major difficulties to install due to the seam sealer causing it not to fit flush correctly resulting in leaks at seam when seam sealer was removed and reapplied and damaged to the finish paint during install.
Some vendors were offering this trim and may still offer it but the same complications arise if purchased and you attempt to install it.
Paul Jr
PS- The trim was actually stainless steel the same as the windshield, rear window and rear cab pant divider trim and it's being discontinued prior to actual production is shown in the factory assembly manuals.

[72USA1]

Thanks for the info Paul. I do have to say evidently there were either some that either left the factory with it installed or the dealer installed it. I’ve actually seen 3 cabs with it installed and each one had a rosetta rivet at the bottom lowest point of the drip rail. Are rosetta rivets a factory only item or could dealers get their hands on those as well?

[70STOVEBOLT]

You can buy rosette rivets from eBay and many other vendors.

[72USA1]

Yes sir, I have ordered those before myself. I’m talking about trucks I’ve seen 30-40 years ago having those rivets in the gutter rail.

[custom10nut]

If you’ve seen ONE truck with the Factory installed Stainless Gutter Trim, you’ve been witness to a Golden Unicorn with a Leprechaun riding on its back.
For many years I dreamed of finding this trim on a Salvage yard truck.
I seriously thought about buying a trim set from a vendor, but after seeing the number of long time truck owners on this Forum describing the inherent problems, I decided against it.
The trim work itself is ill fitting and doesn’t stay in place as it was meant to, was prone to pop loose, and will cause damage to the edge finish when it is installed.
My guess is that, with those trucks that were ordered with this trim, the owners got tired of it popping loose while driving down the highway, and they pulled it off and threw it in the trash.