Short bed rails alternative

[jlmerie]

I have a 1978 GMC short bed truck and have always liked the look with the bed rails. I quickly discovered it was cost prohibitive to buy stock GM bed rails. I hang around a lot of junk yards and have looked at the factory roof racks on the old Jeep Grand Wagoneers. I believe they built these from about 1986-1991. So just for grins I bought a roof rack from one of the Jeeps to see what works. They are very similar to the GM hardware but a little different. I set one side on my truck to see how it looks. It is clearly a little short but could be positioned better. There was already a hole drilled in the bed rail so I just used it. I believe the vast majority of people could not see the difference from factory. The good news is that I see these fairly often at the junk yards and typically pay between $15 - $20 for a complete roof rack. I am including a couple pictures how they look on the truck and then a couple of pictures of the Jeep rail next to a factory GM rail. They are pretty close, but when you look at them side by side they are different. The pictures are not great because I did not want to get the truck outside and wash all the dust off. Hopefully you get the idea.

[jlmerie]

Here are the pictures of a Jeep Wagoneer roof rack rail next to a factory GM bed rail. The Jeep rail is on the bottom, in case it is not obvious.

[Just call me Sean]

That's pretty close. Good looking out.

[bbbc10]

Good ideal but u think bout using roof rack from a suburban they are the same as bed rails almost

[jlmerie]

Originally Posted by bbbc10

Good ideal but u think bout using roof rack from a suburban they are the same as bed rails almost

Yes, I think that would work. I believe except for the length of the rails the Suburban roof racks are the same as the trucks. I can't easily find the Suburbans with factory roof racks in the junk yards. And it seems to me the chrome feet on the Suburbans are almost always in bad shape with pitting and road rash. I think since they ride on top instead of behind the cab they get extra wear. I think the Jeep Grand Wagoneers got better quality chrome than the Suburbans.

[bbbc10]

true...we have plenty of burbs down here with them, think ima try an find some jeep roof rack cause I need some good ends for my bed rails I have

[INSIDIOUS '86]

I found one recent and thought it would look cool on top of my blazer. I also have a set off factory shortbed rails that I'm rat holing away haha.