Do driprails really prevent leakes??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jesse977 · 05-24-2005, 03:51 AM

I have a 74 GMC with no driprails. When it rains water comes in the cab. I thought since my truck doesnt have any driprails that was the cause. My truck is at the shop right now, should I tell the guys at the shop to install them?? Do they really prevent leaks?? If they dont I wont install them since Im not to thrilled about the way they look. What really prevents water from coming in the cab?

jesse977 · 05-24-2005, 03:53 AM

I know I know its LEAKS not LEAKES, hehehe

Prerunner1982 · 05-24-2005, 09:26 AM

they do seem to help prevent water from pooling where the door and cab meet. However, alot of show truck owners prefer to go without and just risk the water, though i cant see many show truck guys driving in the rain to begin with....

bodydropped · 05-24-2005, 09:27 AM

i have shaved drip rails to and when i open the door water goes in it yes they do stop some of the water from goin in the cab

86swb · 05-24-2005, 09:46 AM

Gm put these on their trucks for many years. But now they do not? Go figure.

*Drivin' Miss Daisy* · 05-24-2005, 11:12 AM

The newer trucks have a channel molded in on the top of the cab that achieves the same thing as the drip rails on the older trucks.

87 Shortwide · 05-24-2005, 01:11 PM

Drip rails will prevent some water issues, but if it just straight up leaks, I would be more concerned about your weatherstripping.

**Captkaos** · 05-24-2005, 01:22 PM

If water is coming into the truck when it is raining, you need new rubber seals on the door and the cab. Like 87 Shortwide said, if it is leaking, with the door closed you have problems with the seals.

86swb · 05-24-2005, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drivin' Miss Daisy

The newer trucks have a channel molded in on the top of the cab that achieves the same thing as the drip rails on the older trucks.

So that is what that is for. I never really gave that a thought.

whitesswj · 05-24-2005, 02:56 PM

speaking of leaks, i've noticed that when i'm driving i just get some drips on my left foot just left of the steering collum under the dash, Where might it be comming from??

sswj

**Captkaos** · 05-24-2005, 03:19 PM

What truck model are you talking about whitesswj?
On the 73-91's it is usually rust at the windshield drain/lip.

Izzy · 05-24-2005, 04:18 PM

I never had an issue when I shaved them on my 83 and drove it in the rain often. I got more wet going to the truck then water dripping from the roof when I opened the door.

jesse977 · 05-24-2005, 04:30 PM

The reason I ask is because my truck is currently at <a href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=1&k=the%20body%20shop" onmouseover="window.status='the body shop'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">the body shop</a> and the entire floor is being changed due to water leaking in and causing rust. I will change the rubber seals first, if that doesnt help I'll just bolt on the drip rails later.

**Captkaos** · 05-24-2005, 04:46 PM

Not sure what you were trying to link there, but if your entire floor is being replaced you might want to check in the cowl area where the inside/outside firewall meet. You also might want to check in there to see if the factory drain is clogged with leaves/dirt/muck. If it can't drain out to the bottom, it will leak into the floor.

The drip rails not being there aren't going to rot your floorboar out, they are only there to keep run off water from dripping on your head when you get out of the truck. My '73 pickup doesn't have them from the factory (73 didn't have them, and '74 they were optional) and my floorboard is ok. Putting driprails on there won't solve the problem.

TexasJeff · 05-24-2005, 04:58 PM

With these year model trucks one other problem can occur and cause the leaking you are taking about. I know when I got my truck painted and had different doors installed with new weatherstripping mine leaked. The body shop gently bent the top part of the door in towards the cab for a tighter seal. They did this by grabbing the top of the door and placing a foot at the top of the door panel and pulling in, not what most people want to do to thier doors but it did work, no more water and a lot less wind noise. Might want to have the body shop give it a try.

**N2TRUX** · 05-25-2005, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasJeff

.... The body shop gently bent the top part of the door in towards the cab for a tighter seal. They did this by grabbing the top of the door and placing a foot at the top of the door panel and pulling in,......

That's not uncommon on these trucks. I have never seen anyone use their foot, but I have seen it done with a 2x4.....

whitesswj · 05-25-2005, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captkaos

What truck model are you talking about whitesswj?
On the 73-91's it is usually rust at the windshield drain/lip.

sorry, it's a 68

05-24-2005, 03:51 AM	#1
jesse977 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 277	Do driprails really prevent leaks??? I have a 74 GMC with no driprails. When it rains water comes in the cab. I thought since my truck doesnt have any driprails that was the cause. My truck is at the shop right now, should I tell the guys at the shop to install them?? Do they really prevent leaks?? If they dont I wont install them since Im not to thrilled about the way they look. What really prevents water from coming in the cab? Last edited by jesse977; 05-24-2005 at 03:52 AM.

05-24-2005, 09:26 AM	#3
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	they do seem to help prevent water from pooling where the door and cab meet. However, alot of show truck owners prefer to go without and just risk the water, though i cant see many show truck guys driving in the rain to begin with.... __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

05-24-2005, 09:27 AM	#4
bodydropped Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: beaumont,tx Posts: 757	i have shaved drip rails to and when i open the door water goes in it yes they do stop some of the water from goin in the cab __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...ropped/sig.jpg

05-24-2005, 09:46 AM	#5
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Gm put these on their trucks for many years. But now they do not? Go figure. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

05-24-2005, 01:11 PM	#7
87 Shortwide Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Wichita Ks Posts: 536	Drip rails will prevent some water issues, but if it just straight up leaks, I would be more concerned about your weatherstripping. __________________ Daily Driver: 1992 Blazer dropped on rallys Project: 87 GMC shortwide, About to get a little boost

05-24-2005, 03:53 AM	#2
jesse977 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 277	I know I know its LEAKS not LEAKES, hehehe

05-24-2005, 11:12 AM	#6
Drivin' Miss Daisy Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 13	The newer trucks have a channel molded in on the top of the cab that achieves the same thing as the drip rails on the older trucks.

05-24-2005, 01:22 PM	#8
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	If water is coming into the truck when it is raining, you need new rubber seals on the door and the cab. Like 87 Shortwide said, if it is leaking, with the door closed you have problems with the seals. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

05-24-2005, 02:56 PM	#10
whitesswj Embrace the Redneck Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cabot, AR Posts: 1,334	speaking of leaks, i've noticed that when i'm driving i just get some drips on my left foot just left of the steering collum under the dash, Where might it be comming from?? sswj __________________ '01 Camaro *Son, you just can't get there from here...*

05-24-2005, 03:19 PM	#11
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	What truck model are you talking about whitesswj? On the 73-91's it is usually rust at the windshield drain/lip. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

05-24-2005, 04:18 PM	#12
Izzy Trucker. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 1,364	I never had an issue when I shaved them on my 83 and drove it in the rain often. I got more wet going to the truck then water dripping from the roof when I opened the door.

05-24-2005, 04:30 PM	#13
jesse977 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 277	The reason I ask is because my truck is currently at <a href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=1&k=the%20body%20shop" onmouseover="window.status='the body shop'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">the body shop</a> and the entire floor is being changed due to water leaking in and causing rust. I will change the rubber seals first, if that doesnt help I'll just bolt on the drip rails later. Last edited by jesse977; 05-24-2005 at 04:31 PM.

05-24-2005, 04:46 PM	#14
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Not sure what you were trying to link there, but if your entire floor is being replaced you might want to check in the cowl area where the inside/outside firewall meet. You also might want to check in there to see if the factory drain is clogged with leaves/dirt/muck. If it can't drain out to the bottom, it will leak into the floor. The drip rails not being there aren't going to rot your floorboar out, they are only there to keep run off water from dripping on your head when you get out of the truck. My '73 pickup doesn't have them from the factory (73 didn't have them, and '74 they were optional) and my floorboard is ok. Putting driprails on there won't solve the problem. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com Last edited by Captkaos; 05-24-2005 at 04:52 PM.

05-24-2005, 04:58 PM	#15
TexasJeff Don't Crush em Restore em Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pinehurst, Texas Posts: 764	Drip rails With these year model trucks one other problem can occur and cause the leaking you are taking about. I know when I got my truck painted and had different doors installed with new weatherstripping mine leaked. The body shop gently bent the top part of the door in towards the cab for a tighter seal. They did this by grabbing the top of the door and placing a foot at the top of the door panel and pulling in, not what most people want to do to thier doors but it did work, no more water and a lot less wind noise. Might want to have the body shop give it a try. __________________ TexasJeff 2009 Silver with Linen Interior Cadillac DTS 1990 Red with White Top and Interior Ford Mustang GT convertible 1998 Red with Gray Interior, C3500 Chevy Crew Cab Dually



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