A big strap used by helicopters to lift was wrapped through the windows up around the roof to a hoist to lift it. The strap tightened and where it went through the window around up to the hoist it squeezed the drip rails bending them upward. I purchased some 3/8" square steel rod to put in the gutter and below them clamped them down. It work a little but they are still bent. Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

Got pictures?

I take it they are bent inwards correct? Your best bet would be to get some wide mouth vice grips, the ones that hold a couple inches not just a half inch, then little by little pull it back towards yourself, you'll have to go slightly farther than where you want it to be in order to compensate for the memory in the steel (it will go back a little bit when you let go). You could use anything to pry them back if you wanted, but be careful not to push off the roof as that will give you dents...

If they weren't bent closed but pushed up or rolled, use the same method but put a piece of something in the drip rail that goes over the edge of it so as not to damage the edge when clamping. If you can post some pictures I can explain it better.

 

They are bent up not just in. If you are looking at the drip rail from the side as if you are standing at the door they arc upward. I'd purchased a couple of 3/8inch square steel rod putting one in the gutter and one underneath and your right. When I clamped it it held it in place but when released it went back the way it was. While clamped you could still see that it was arched up some. I do have a contact on this site that I could be a 12" piece from and just cut out the bent and damaged but I thought I'd try straightening it out. I'll take a look at the wide mouth vice grips. Thanks

 

Are they chromed or finished in any way? If they have the shape you want when the steel piece in there, if the clamping doesn't work for you you can use heat. Once the steel reaches a critical temprature (about 1500 degrees, which is a cherry red) it will loose its memory. You wouldn't want to quench it afterwards, just let it anneal (cool naturally). Course this will ruin any paint you have on it. A wet cloth on the roof will keep the heat from spreading anywhere you don't want it to. But I'd try doing it cold first.

 

I actually had some luck with drip rails by accident, I had too much gap between the top of the door and the drip rail, I used a chisel with the point ground off slightly and it fit next to little hump in the middle of the rail (you have to take the sealer out to see it) I tapped it down slightly, using a pretty good sized hammer. It took a while but there are some pics of the gap in my gallery, lotsa luck

 

The body has been dipped so it is bare metal. Thanks for the info.

 

have you thought about shaving them?

 

I'd try ezing them down with a block of wood and a beefy hammer a little at a time.

 

I have but I actually like the look when they are on.

 

I don't advise shaving them off.....If you sell it some day....that would be something alot of guys would not like.
I have seen it done nicely, but I prefer them on the cab.....Bill