The driver's side drip rail on my 86 K5 is badly rusted. I visited a body shop yesterday and they suggested purchasing new sheet metal with the new drip rail in place. The old one and part of the roof would be cut out and the new fitted and mig welded in place etc. However, I contacted LMC, looked through Classic Industries' catalog, looked at on-line catalogues and placed several calls to companies with no success. Apparently, no one makes a replacement repro.

If that truly is the case, I need some advice on how to rebuild the drip rail. I was thinking of using brazing rod, oxy-acetylene, to fill in the bad areas, then grind off the excess until everything was correct in shape and appearance.

Any thoughts or advice? Anyone "been there, done that?"

Thanks,
Bill

 

they do have screw on drip rails. i believe the pick up trucks came with them. i stole a set off a 78 i believe it was, i plan to put them on my 86. they basically just sheet screw into the roof. maybe it might be better to go that route, grind the old ones off if possible and just replace them

 

There is nothing that I see that indicates the drip rails are mounted to the body by screws. It all looks to be welded or part of a large piece of sheet metal welded to the roof.



Bill

 

I would just shave them. We done it on my 69 gmc and honestly in the rain they don't make much difference with or without. When I finally get around to my nova they are getting shaved on it also.

 

yeah i know the k5s are part of the actual roof. but some of the pick up trucks had screw on ones. thats what i was getting at, maybe shave those off then you can just screw on some of the screw on ones. my 86 truck came with none, even after putting new weather stripping in there the truck still gets water into the door. i have one for the driverside i stole off another pick up truck i just havent got around to putting them in yet

 

the drip rails are spot welded 2 the uniside assembly (door opening) - this will require the spot welds 2 be drilled out and a salvaged piece (from a donor) to be welded back in (reproduction sheetmetal 4 the 73-91 is limited - esp the 73-75 windshield frame (also includes the following - 76-91 outer roof panel, B pillar outer sheetmetal (these r usually rusted out esp. with a camper top which has not been removed), inner roof skin, and B-pillar inner sheetmetal bracing; anyone who recalls the Chevrolet Vega ELPO drip process - the Flint, MI truck plant which manufactured the Blazer and Suburban used the ELPO drip process (this did not deter corrosion)