Rain Gutter/Drip Rail ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Stick71 · 09-03-2002, 05:47 PM

Hello. I am new to this forum and new to the '71 Shortbed I just bought. The truck is in fantastic shape, but has rust problems in the drip rail. I took the truck to a reputable body and restoration shop and the guy there said I need a new drip rail. I asked him if it would be okay to just shave the drip rail and he said that if I did the truck would leak. So my first question is, is the guy at the shop right? And the second question is, where can I find a new drip rail to have welded on. The rail is getting pretty bad in some places, so i need to do something soon. Thanks.

busterwivell · 09-03-2002, 06:21 PM

Stick 71.......Welcome to the board! I used to live in Wauconda. I haven't heard of replacement drip rails myself, but maybe someone else has. Being from the area, I remember the rust problems. Are you sure that's the only area of rust? You might be better off (cheaper) with a rust free cab from down south here somewhere. I'll be happy to help in the search, if you decide to go that way.

Jmac05 · 09-03-2002, 06:25 PM

Why would the cab leak if he shaved them off? I have seen more than one truck with it shaved off, and am thinking of having it done myself. If the guy knows what he's doing, he should be able to patch any holes that could be caused.

Stick71 · 09-03-2002, 06:42 PM

I think the concern of the guy at the shop was that without the gutters, the rain would no longer be chaneled away from the door and might leak into the cab. As to the option of putting a new cab on, in this case I would really rather not. The truck was restored fifteen years ago and is in excellent shape. In the last fifteen years the truck has not seen a winter and has always been garaged. Also the truck has only 69,XXX miles on it and they are actually original. If you saw the truck you would believe it. The frame is nearly spotless and was not painted when the truck was redone years ago. Like i said before the only problem is the drip rail, and I just want to know what my options are before I get into something that I regret later.

Stick71 · 09-03-2002, 06:45 PM

By the way I bought the truck in Wauconda.

Jmac05 · 09-03-2002, 06:50 PM

Rain isn't a problem for me in southern california... I could easily do without the drip rails...

busterwivell · 09-03-2002, 07:20 PM

Don't happen to know who you bought it from anymore, do you?

Low68 · 09-03-2002, 07:24 PM

I shaved the drip rail on my cab and then had it sandblasted and found out that the left side was smashed in. When I did it I posted pretty much the same question, and was told by people who had it done to their trucks several years prior to that that they didn't have any problem with leaks. This is just in their case, so it is possible to do it without leaks, but not guaranteed. I don't see any area that would cause a problem, but like I mentioned before I ended up using a different cab. Good luck.
Low68

Stick71 · 09-03-2002, 07:39 PM

Thanks for the info. I did a search and found that several guys have done it without leak problems. I think i will just talk to a couple more shops and see what other people have to say. The only concerning thought that I have, is that Chevy must have put that rail there for a reason right? And to the guy from Wauconda, I think his name was William (Bill) Kornfiend?

DeepPurple · 09-03-2002, 08:31 PM

Hello 71

In regards to your question, I shaved my roof rails a while back to clean up the lines of the truck (and how). Since then I have used it as a daily driver and have seen a fair share of rain.
I haven't had any problems with water leaking into the cab during a rainstorm or anything, possibly because new rubber is on it, possibly not.
The only time I have to deal with water is when getting out of the truck (which is why I think GM put the gutters on there). If there is standing water on the roof, when you open the door the water usually drips on your head. Another thing that often happens is the water will drip down into the Massive panel gap between the door and the cab. (I understand why and realise that such gaps are part of the charm of these trucks, but I have to say that is the one of the few things I'm glad the domestics learned from the imports) This can cause rust to build up along the door sill.

Now as far as having someone do the rail removal understand that you'll have to get someone who's a pretty good bodyman, because the roof tends to try to come apart when cuts are made by the gutter. Just an observation.
Also while the roofs trying to come open, throw some rust proofing down inside the roof. Trust me, it couldn't hurt.

RodC · 09-03-2002, 09:59 PM

About a year ago someone was looking for drip rails, GMCPaul (I think) replied and said that they were not avaliable. You can get them off another truck or find someone who shaved theirs. I have seen it done on several trucks. Some tried to deal with the large gap that is normal between the window frame and the cab, others have just left it alone. The gap is wider than you think and it sticks out more when the drip rail is misssing. Take a close look at one that has been done before you shave your own. I think it looks good if done right.

BTW a while back there was a post with pics of rails shaved and welded, do a search.

09-03-2002, 05:47 PM	#1
Stick71 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 4	Rain Gutter/Drip Rail ? Hello. I am new to this forum and new to the '71 Shortbed I just bought. The truck is in fantastic shape, but has rust problems in the drip rail. I took the truck to a reputable body and restoration shop and the guy there said I need a new drip rail. I asked him if it would be okay to just shave the drip rail and he said that if I did the truck would leak. So my first question is, is the guy at the shop right? And the second question is, where can I find a new drip rail to have welded on. The rail is getting pretty bad in some places, so i need to do something soon. Thanks.

09-03-2002, 06:21 PM	#2
busterwivell Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sahuarita, AZ USA Posts: 2,033	Stick 71.......Welcome to the board! I used to live in Wauconda. I haven't heard of replacement drip rails myself, but maybe someone else has. Being from the area, I remember the rust problems. Are you sure that's the only area of rust? You might be better off (cheaper) with a rust free cab from down south here somewhere. I'll be happy to help in the search, if you decide to go that way. __________________ Bill - Tucson, AZ 47 Chevrolet 2 dr sedan 56 Chevrolet 210 2 dr sedan 66 Chevrolet Malibu 2 dr 4 speed 71 Chevrolet C30 Longhorn 86 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Sold) 01 Chevrolet Tahoe IM - BUSTERWIVE@aol.com

09-03-2002, 06:25 PM	#3
Jmac05 L.E.D. Tail lights, Baby! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Corona, Ca Posts: 290	Why would the cab leak if he shaved them off? I have seen more than one truck with it shaved off, and am thinking of having it done myself. If the guy knows what he's doing, he should be able to patch any holes that could be caused. __________________ *Prov 3:5-8* "Hook 'em" L.E.D. Taillights for sale NOW!!! If interested, visit: www.earlyclassic.com or our website: www.jmcled.com All 67-72 GM Taillights are on sale untill 5 p.m. on Dec 15th, with Guaranteed Christmas delivery! joel.mcwaters@jmcled.com

09-03-2002, 06:50 PM	#6
Jmac05 L.E.D. Tail lights, Baby! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Corona, Ca Posts: 290	Rain isn't a problem for me in southern california... I could easily do without the drip rails... __________________ *Prov 3:5-8* "Hook 'em" L.E.D. Taillights for sale NOW!!! If interested, visit: www.earlyclassic.com or our website: www.jmcled.com All 67-72 GM Taillights are on sale untill 5 p.m. on Dec 15th, with Guaranteed Christmas delivery! joel.mcwaters@jmcled.com

09-03-2002, 07:20 PM	#7
busterwivell Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sahuarita, AZ USA Posts: 2,033	Don't happen to know who you bought it from anymore, do you? __________________ Bill - Tucson, AZ 47 Chevrolet 2 dr sedan 56 Chevrolet 210 2 dr sedan 66 Chevrolet Malibu 2 dr 4 speed 71 Chevrolet C30 Longhorn 86 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Sold) 01 Chevrolet Tahoe IM - BUSTERWIVE@aol.com

09-03-2002, 06:42 PM	#4
Stick71 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 4	I think the concern of the guy at the shop was that without the gutters, the rain would no longer be chaneled away from the door and might leak into the cab. As to the option of putting a new cab on, in this case I would really rather not. The truck was restored fifteen years ago and is in excellent shape. In the last fifteen years the truck has not seen a winter and has always been garaged. Also the truck has only 69,XXX miles on it and they are actually original. If you saw the truck you would believe it. The frame is nearly spotless and was not painted when the truck was redone years ago. Like i said before the only problem is the drip rail, and I just want to know what my options are before I get into something that I regret later.

09-03-2002, 06:45 PM	#5
Stick71 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 4	By the way I bought the truck in Wauconda.

09-03-2002, 07:24 PM	#8
Low68 Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Arizona Posts: 758	I shaved the drip rail on my cab and then had it sandblasted and found out that the left side was smashed in. When I did it I posted pretty much the same question, and was told by people who had it done to their trucks several years prior to that that they didn't have any problem with leaks. This is just in their case, so it is possible to do it without leaks, but not guaranteed. I don't see any area that would cause a problem, but like I mentioned before I ended up using a different cab. Good luck. Low68 __________________ Build Thread

09-03-2002, 07:39 PM	#9
Stick71 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 4	Thanks for the info. I did a search and found that several guys have done it without leak problems. I think i will just talk to a couple more shops and see what other people have to say. The only concerning thought that I have, is that Chevy must have put that rail there for a reason right? And to the guy from Wauconda, I think his name was William (Bill) Kornfiend?

09-03-2002, 08:31 PM	#10
DeepPurple Real Deep... Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: St. Louis Posts: 116	Drip Rails Hello 71 In regards to your question, I shaved my roof rails a while back to clean up the lines of the truck (and how). Since then I have used it as a daily driver and have seen a fair share of rain. I haven't had any problems with water leaking into the cab during a rainstorm or anything, possibly because new rubber is on it, possibly not. The only time I have to deal with water is when getting out of the truck (which is why I think GM put the gutters on there). If there is standing water on the roof, when you open the door the water usually drips on your head. Another thing that often happens is the water will drip down into the Massive panel gap between the door and the cab. (I understand why and realise that such gaps are part of the charm of these trucks, but I have to say that is the one of the few things I'm glad the domestics learned from the imports) This can cause rust to build up along the door sill. Now as far as having someone do the rail removal understand that you'll have to get someone who's a pretty good bodyman, because the roof tends to try to come apart when cuts are made by the gutter. Just an observation. Also while the roofs trying to come open, throw some rust proofing down inside the roof. Trust me, it couldn't hurt. __________________ 1970 GMC C10 (Deep Purple) 383/700-R4 Mass Modifications 1976 GMC K5 Jimmy (Big Blue) 400/TH350 Coming soon to a drive-in near you... We have done So Much with So Little for So Long.. We are now qualified to do Anything with Nothing.

09-03-2002, 09:59 PM	#11
RodC Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fairmont WV Posts: 304	About a year ago someone was looking for drip rails, GMCPaul (I think) replied and said that they were not avaliable. You can get them off another truck or find someone who shaved theirs. I have seen it done on several trucks. Some tried to deal with the large gap that is normal between the window frame and the cab, others have just left it alone. The gap is wider than you think and it sticks out more when the drip rail is misssing. Take a close look at one that has been done before you shave your own. I think it looks good if done right. BTW a while back there was a post with pics of rails shaved and welded, do a search. __________________ Rod Childers '71 C10 Stepside



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