Shaved drip rails - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Steve Carda · 08-13-2004, 12:11 PM

I need advise on shaving the drip rails off of my 68. I looked in FAQ and found nothing.Any help would be great.

pat · 08-13-2004, 12:42 PM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=112628

Heres a thread I started about it. Apparently its really hard but im still gonna do it cuz it looks so smooth and good.

Steve Carda · 08-13-2004, 01:11 PM

Thanks. I have the metal fab and welding knowledge. I just want to know what to expect when I open her up. My thoughts were to use my slitting wheel to cut it off and then tack it as I go. I wonder how much goop and rust can be under there.

slogo · 08-13-2004, 11:18 PM

I always start on the sides first starting at the bottom and working my way across the top of the door. just tack at this point but get all the rail out of your way. i take a sawzall and trim it away but be carefull not to cut away to much. take the saw or cut off wheel and make cuts in the rail (don't go to deep) about every 5 to 6 inches then cut out that section and make a few tack welds. space them out cause you will need to do some grinding till you get it to where it needs to be. remember to go slow and be careful not to cut away to much metal. do much the same on the front lip, cut sections in the rail and trim it away. you will need to grind it down to get the fit just right. always weld from the center out aways going the same distance on both sides before moving on. this is the way i do it, i've seen it done a few other ways but this works for me. if i were you and never done this before i would find me an old cab that was junk and practice on that first. just some good advise.. that way if you make a mistake on that you will learn and not destory your truck.....just my $.02. hope this all makes since and dosent confuse you. just remember to plan it before you cut it and take your time. you can do it, it's really not that hard to do just got to take your time.

john@thepier · 08-13-2004, 11:35 PM

I like the shaved look especially when you also add the one piece window convesion . wing window deleet.Be sure to let us know how it goes.

*vincep* · 08-14-2004, 08:34 AM

Slogo, I'm a little confused by what it is i'm seeing in the first picture. It looks like I see a sheetmetal screw and some cut metal. Maybe it's the cab rotated on a rotary device or something but I'm trying to figure out the orinentation of the photo. From looking at the second photo it looks as if the roof has also been rounded elininating the seam in the back. Very nice work. Care to come to PA and do mine. I got BEER.

slogo · 08-14-2004, 09:43 AM

the first pic is the window frame on the blazer and that is just a spot weld you see.

Steve Carda · 08-15-2004, 02:09 PM

Slogo thanks for your help. That is more than I knew before. Is there anybody else with some advice? I gonna take pictures step by step when I do mine. That way everybody can get the idea.

Bleach · 08-15-2004, 09:12 PM

So this shows you I've never done this, but why do you have to tack along when you cut the rails off? Is this the place where two pieces of metal are joined? Would I be able to do this with a sawzall and an angle grinder? I hate the drip rails as they are where alot of the rust on mine is from.

Steve Carda · 08-16-2004, 06:12 AM

I believe because it will open up like a can when you start cutting the rails.

08-13-2004, 12:11 PM	#1
Steve Carda Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: New Ulm MN Posts: 70	Shaved drip rails I need advise on shaving the drip rails off of my 68. I looked in FAQ and found nothing.Any help would be great. __________________ 68 4x4 402 big block

08-13-2004, 12:42 PM	#2
pat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lindsay, TX Posts: 1,245	http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=112628 Heres a thread I started about it. Apparently its really hard but im still gonna do it cuz it looks so smooth and good. __________________ 68 Chevy 383/350 w/shift kit, 380hp/425ft-lbs, 4.5/5 drop, 17" TT2s 64 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

08-13-2004, 01:11 PM	#3
Steve Carda Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: New Ulm MN Posts: 70	Thanks. I have the metal fab and welding knowledge. I just want to know what to expect when I open her up. My thoughts were to use my slitting wheel to cut it off and then tack it as I go. I wonder how much goop and rust can be under there. __________________ 68 4x4 402 big block

08-13-2004, 11:18 PM	#4
slogo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Morristown,TN Posts: 481	I always start on the sides first starting at the bottom and working my way across the top of the door. just tack at this point but get all the rail out of your way. i take a sawzall and trim it away but be carefull not to cut away to much. take the saw or cut off wheel and make cuts in the rail (don't go to deep) about every 5 to 6 inches then cut out that section and make a few tack welds. space them out cause you will need to do some grinding till you get it to where it needs to be. remember to go slow and be careful not to cut away to much metal. do much the same on the front lip, cut sections in the rail and trim it away. you will need to grind it down to get the fit just right. always weld from the center out aways going the same distance on both sides before moving on. this is the way i do it, i've seen it done a few other ways but this works for me. if i were you and never done this before i would find me an old cab that was junk and practice on that first. just some good advise.. that way if you make a mistake on that you will learn and not destory your truck.....just my $.02. hope this all makes since and dosent confuse you. just remember to plan it before you cut it and take your time. you can do it, it's really not that hard to do just got to take your time. Last edited by slogo; 08-13-2004 at 11:21 PM.

08-15-2004, 02:09 PM	#8
Steve Carda Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: New Ulm MN Posts: 70	Slogo thanks for your help. That is more than I knew before. Is there anybody else with some advice? I gonna take pictures step by step when I do mine. That way everybody can get the idea. __________________ 68 4x4 402 big block

08-13-2004, 11:35 PM	#5
john@thepier Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lake Geneva, WI 53147 Posts: 970	I like the shaved look especially when you also add the one piece window convesion . wing window deleet.Be sure to let us know how it goes.

08-14-2004, 08:34 AM	#6
vincep Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Pa Posts: 20	Slogo, I'm a little confused by what it is i'm seeing in the first picture. It looks like I see a sheetmetal screw and some cut metal. Maybe it's the cab rotated on a rotary device or something but I'm trying to figure out the orinentation of the photo. From looking at the second photo it looks as if the roof has also been rounded elininating the seam in the back. Very nice work. Care to come to PA and do mine. I got BEER.

08-14-2004, 09:43 AM	#7
slogo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Morristown,TN Posts: 481	the first pic is the window frame on the blazer and that is just a spot weld you see.

08-15-2004, 09:12 PM	#9
Bleach this guy Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Southwest VA Posts: 122	So this shows you I've never done this, but why do you have to tack along when you cut the rails off? Is this the place where two pieces of metal are joined? Would I be able to do this with a sawzall and an angle grinder? I hate the drip rails as they are where alot of the rust on mine is from.

08-16-2004, 06:12 AM	#10
Steve Carda Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: New Ulm MN Posts: 70	I believe because it will open up like a can when you start cutting the rails. __________________ 68 4x4 402 big block



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.