door sill plate purchase - stainless steel vs chrome?

[msg]

My sill plates are pretty rusty so I needed to order new ones. Is stainless the better purchase vs chrome?

[roll_the_dice]

I was just researching this last night! We must be in similar build mode. I want to hear real world experience, but I read that chrome scuffs easier than the SS and if you really want them chrome like, you can always polish the SS.

Mine were black...I liked them black. I just went and looked and they are painted black over the SS on both sides...I may buy the SS and paint them black.

[nsb29]

SS doesn’t rust I will leave mine natural but may polish them in the future

[The Rocknrod]

I wouldnt do chrome unless you dont plan on stepping in and out. Chrome doesnt buff out like stainless.

[forestb]

the chrome is horrible. I have a set of pre-rusted ones if you want them

[AcampoDave]

I bought the stainless ones from Classic Parts and the quality is quite good. The metal is beautifully polished and doesn't scuff badly. The included screws are not stainless but rather zinc coated. I'll probably swap those for real stainless ones that are a tad longer.

[msg]

Thanks guys, I want to not have this happen again. This is a pic from when I removed the sill plate in 2014. One day Ill get this thing done.

The stainless looks great minus not having the bow tie

https://www.classicparts.com/1960-66...info/03-065S/#

Pretty sure the bow tie version is chrome

https://www.classicparts.com/1960-66...ctinfo/03-065/

[PGSigns]

My repop chrome one lasted about 4 years before they started to rust. My next set will be stainless.
Jimmy

[forestb]

It might also help to use some type of sealant on the screws. That’s probably where the moisture comes in causing the rust. They seem to rust from the bottom side.

[Killer Bee]

speaking of rusty sill plates, I posted this up a while back for those sill screws frozen in there.. got them all out without breaking or blowing the holes out..

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=644

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

this thread needs more rust

got the sill plates off, installed the dome light, mat, and seat..

had to cut a few screws and chase a lot of threads but it all went together fairly decent I think..

little trick I'll share in case someone hasn't seen it;





the truck shop mat went down pretty easy and most of the holes lined up with the impressions on the back..

especially pleased how well it sits in there since I dropped it right on the bare floor without tar or foam or anything yet..

$10 harbor freight gasket punch kit is probably spent, but did the trick for the mat and the seat..

even cleaned up all of the original pedal pads.. wd40 and steel toothbrush to clean and stand up a little fur to cut the gloss..

de-greased with 409 to get that squeaky, non-slip finish back..

my 6yo took some of these while I was trimming and fitting..





the seat story about this fabric from SMS has been beat to death so I'll spare everyone..

but the work Mando from San Pedro did putting it together is great, really comfortable seat..

and while I was cleaning all of the mechanisms and lubing the tracks, found what I think is a date..

all of the LOF glass is dated Feb or Mar 65 so 2/8/65 would fit, anyone know about this?





kids dig it! they took turns driving

[AcampoDave]

The polished stainless sill plates I got from Classic Parts do have the bowtie. Pt#03-065P

[roll_the_dice]

The PO of my truck riveted the sill plates in! I had to drill them out. I am thinking I may have to use a longer screw/bolt with washer and nut on the bottom when I put in new ones.

Someone should start a thread of things PO's did that was strange and wrong!

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by AcampoDave

The polished stainless sill plates I got from Classic Parts do have the bowtie. Pt#03-065P

Thanks for the part# Dave! I am going to buy those this weekend!

[msg]

Originally Posted by AcampoDave

The polished stainless sill plates I got from Classic Parts do have the bowtie. Pt#03-065P

Sweet! I missed that item somehow. Thats what Im ordering, thanks!!

[msg]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

speaking of rusty sill plates, I posted this up a while back for those sill screws frozen in there.. got them all out without breaking or blowing the holes out..

Killer Bee thats awesome, the kids look as happy as I would be if I had a bench that nice in my truck!

[forestb]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

The PO of my truck riveted the sill plates in! I had to drill them out. I am thinking I may have to use a longer screw/bolt with washer and nut on the bottom when I put in new ones.

Someone should start a thread of things PO's did that was strange and wrong!

There was one a while back. I don’t know what happened to it.

[Brim]

Stainless is the way to go. Mine are chrome and after my new seat belts come in I'm going to add the SS stills. Chrome rust too easy.

[painterljp]

This has nothing to do with sill plate. Dont mean to steal your thread but. ...
Killer Bee what upholstery did you use for the seat? Heres a picture of mine. Same as yours. I have been dealing with SMS fabrics and it seems they are very expensive and their customer service is horrible . I want to keep seat pretty much original and dont see many options. Did you use their material or find your own? If so what did you use? Heres a picture of our seat. It's a 64.

[The Rocknrod]

https://originalauto.com/ is the only other company I know of.
Good thread on the subject here, lots of info on material - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=536561

[chewychevy67]

Do the gmc sill plates come in stainless anywhere?

[bigmoe]

I wonder how powder coated would hold up? Certainly more durable than paint if you want to go that route.

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by painterljp

This has nothing to do with sill plate. Dont mean to steal your thread but. ...
Killer Bee what upholstery did you use for the seat? Heres a picture of mine. Same as yours. I have been dealing with SMS fabrics and it seems they are very expensive and their customer service is horrible . I want to keep seat pretty much original and dont see many options. Did you use their material or find your own? If so what did you use? Heres a picture of our seat. It's a 64.

Hi Lois, please read a couple of these posts and you'll have the full picture of my experience - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...archid=6738455

good luck!

[nsb29]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

Hi Lois, please read a couple of these posts and you'll have the full picture of my experience - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...archid=6738455

good luck!

Something wrong can’t logon nothing there

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by nsb29

Something wrong can’t logon nothing there

sorry about that.. just a search for posts by killer bee, keyword 'sms'

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by bigmoe

I wonder how powder coated would hold up? Certainly more durable than paint if you want to go that route.

I was actually wondering this as well.. I bought a couple to experiment with, just waiting to get enough parts together for a good deal on powder coating locally..