Vertical drip rail ???

[62 bigwindow]

While doing some rust repair on a 65 I bought as a driver
Replaced all 4 cab supports, both inner and outer rockers and inner floors and toe kick panels. I noticed the vertical drip rail on drivers side of cab just in front of the door was rusted bad around the spot welds all the way down. I took one off a parts cab I have but wanted to ask... has anyone ever just taken them off and not replaced them? Looks kind of clean without them but was curious if their function out weighs the look...