can you shave the drip rail??

project64 · Post by **project64** » February 22, 2010, 1:39 pm

Extremely new to the restoring business so please bare with me. I just bought a 64 swb, pretty solid trk but almost all the way around the cab above and below the drip rail is rusted pretty bad. I think it would be easier to fix if you could shave the rail in the process. Anyone have experience doing this or heard of anyone doing it? Thanks for the help

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » February 22, 2010, 1:51 pm

Greg has been in the process of doing that chek his thread
http://fordtruk.com/forums/viewtopic.ph ... 3&start=40

project64 · Post by **project64** » February 22, 2010, 2:14 pm

man that looks like alot of work. then he said it wouldnt look right on the 64. anybody evr ran into this drip rail problem, and what is the best fix?

Post by **Greg D** » February 22, 2010, 4:21 pm

The shaved rail not looking right on a 64-66 is strictly my personal opinion. I just think it over emphasizes the raised roof on those years - you can make your own judgment. I thought of a shaved rail on a 66 I had but was going to swap the roof cap to the earlier style - this is not for the feint of heart mind you. You should also have the experience for that kind of serious body work and it would require the proper tools and techniques.
It's not uncommon to find rust in the drip rail where the seam sealer is corrupted on these old trucks and creeping up on to the roof. You could try a chemical rust remover like Blue Lightning and then lead it or use a real good quality filler where it's pitted. Leading requires a fair amount of practice and the proper tools too though. I wouldn't sandblast it - your metal is already thin there if it's pitted.
Can you post a real clear pic? We might be able to advise you better if we can see it.
I'll move this to truck Talk for you - you'll get more responses there.

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » February 22, 2010, 5:47 pm

i had rust in my drivers drip rail. I made a section about 3" tall with a bend to set into the drip rail lap welds. Ground out all rusted material in the drip rail and cut from above the vent window all the way just past the end of the drip rail. Welded it all in and with a lotof grinding it needed little filler and looks good again.

lastwagen 66 · Post by **lastwagen 66** » February 22, 2010, 11:15 pm

I ran across a post here from awhile back that lead me into a project that was dealing with rot along the roof and drip rail. The post was by DanSanDiego200 (don't think it was about this subject though) and in his personal album were some project shots where they replaced the whole roof. Check the series of album images 4590 thru 4598 and you can see what was done (before, during and after shots are there). IMO that's the best way if you can locate a donor cab and you have the skills to do the job. I'd have to have a pro do it, the rookie I am!

Might send a PM to DanSanDiego2000 to get his insights on the subject.
[albumimg]4598[/albumimg] [albumimg]4590[/albumimg]