looking for drip rails for a '49 F-1
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looking for drip rails for a '49 F-1
The body shop removed the originals thinking they could be replaced easily. I can't find anything to go back with. I'm trying to see if I can get the originals straight and just put them back on. anybody have any ideas..or know of anyone reproducing these?? Thanks, -Wes
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,094
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From: Burbank, WA
Hi Wes, welcome to the forum!
Replacing the drip rails isn't as easy as it sounds. And I find it hard to believe any reputible body shop, with an actual knowledge of how cars and trucks are built, would remove them thinking they'd be "easy" to replace. The drip rail unit is part of a sandwich of panels welded together with the roof skin, inner structure of the cab, and outer body panels. You almost have to disassemble the cab to replace them, and that's if you can cut them out of another cab that you have to disassemble to get them from. It's not a part you'll ever find in reproduction. If you want the drip rails back, you'd be better off finding a good replacement cab and selling the one you have to a custom guy.
Replacing the drip rails isn't as easy as it sounds. And I find it hard to believe any reputible body shop, with an actual knowledge of how cars and trucks are built, would remove them thinking they'd be "easy" to replace. The drip rail unit is part of a sandwich of panels welded together with the roof skin, inner structure of the cab, and outer body panels. You almost have to disassemble the cab to replace them, and that's if you can cut them out of another cab that you have to disassemble to get them from. It's not a part you'll ever find in reproduction. If you want the drip rails back, you'd be better off finding a good replacement cab and selling the one you have to a custom guy.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
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From: Poway, Ca.
Hello and Welcome!
Waynes right!
And something he didn't emphasize is that if they cut it off too close, hopefully those seams won't leak!
That drip rail goes down the A post as well, not across the top above the windshield as it does in an effie! So just replacing the lid isn't an option either.
Waynes right!
And something he didn't emphasize is that if they cut it off too close, hopefully those seams won't leak!
That drip rail goes down the A post as well, not across the top above the windshield as it does in an effie! So just replacing the lid isn't an option either.
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Yeah, they probably could've been straightened on the truck..but thats another story. But, the drip rails on my truck and now that I look in the service manual show the drip rails as just spot welded on top of the lip where the top of the cab and cab itself come together. He drilled the welds and didn't get into the lip, so the seal is ok yet. So, I wouldn't say its done for...I hope not as most of the other work on the cab is about done! I brought the rails home with me and I'm trying to straighten them..
Just thought if there were replacements to be had...it would be much easier. The local sheetmetal shop mentioned using the right diameter round rod formed to fit the lip where the originals were, and then finishing up with a filler to get a form close to the originals. If nothing else works I'll use the round rod. ..might give it a pretty slick look. and no, I dont want to just shave 'em.
Just thought if there were replacements to be had...it would be much easier. The local sheetmetal shop mentioned using the right diameter round rod formed to fit the lip where the originals were, and then finishing up with a filler to get a form close to the originals. If nothing else works I'll use the round rod. ..might give it a pretty slick look. and no, I dont want to just shave 'em.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
1952 drip rails
Hi Wes, welcome to the forum!
Replacing the drip rails isn't as easy as it sounds. And I find it hard to believe any reputible body shop, with an actual knowledge of how cars and trucks are built, would remove them thinking they'd be "easy" to replace. The drip rail unit is part of a sandwich of panels welded together with the roof skin, inner structure of the cab, and outer body panels. You almost have to disassemble the cab to replace them, and that's if you can cut them out of another cab that you have to disassemble to get them from. It's not a part you'll ever find in reproduction. If you want the drip rails back, you'd be better off finding a good replacement cab and selling the one you have to a custom guy.
Replacing the drip rails isn't as easy as it sounds. And I find it hard to believe any reputible body shop, with an actual knowledge of how cars and trucks are built, would remove them thinking they'd be "easy" to replace. The drip rail unit is part of a sandwich of panels welded together with the roof skin, inner structure of the cab, and outer body panels. You almost have to disassemble the cab to replace them, and that's if you can cut them out of another cab that you have to disassemble to get them from. It's not a part you'll ever find in reproduction. If you want the drip rails back, you'd be better off finding a good replacement cab and selling the one you have to a custom guy.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
1952 drip rails
Hi Wes, welcome to the forum!
Replacing the drip rails isn't as easy as it sounds. And I find it hard to believe any reputible body shop, with an actual knowledge of how cars and trucks are built, would remove them thinking they'd be "easy" to replace. The drip rail unit is part of a sandwich of panels welded together with the roof skin, inner structure of the cab, and outer body panels. You almost have to disassemble the cab to replace them, and that's if you can cut them out of another cab that you have to disassemble to get them from. It's not a part you'll ever find in reproduction. If you want the drip rails back, you'd be better off finding a good replacement cab and selling the one you have to a custom guy.
Replacing the drip rails isn't as easy as it sounds. And I find it hard to believe any reputible body shop, with an actual knowledge of how cars and trucks are built, would remove them thinking they'd be "easy" to replace. The drip rail unit is part of a sandwich of panels welded together with the roof skin, inner structure of the cab, and outer body panels. You almost have to disassemble the cab to replace them, and that's if you can cut them out of another cab that you have to disassemble to get them from. It's not a part you'll ever find in reproduction. If you want the drip rails back, you'd be better off finding a good replacement cab and selling the one you have to a custom guy.
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