I need to undertake the big big task of installing all the side trim on my 1978 Ford F250 Lariat w/ racetrack trim. I have all of it, and most of the clips. The problem is, somebody else took it off before I got the truck. I have no clue on how to install it. Even Better I put two new doors on, and two new bedsides. So no mounting holes, and no studs either!

I figure the general idea of it is to install the spring loaded threaded stud and nut thingys into the holes, and slide the fragile looking tan plastic clips over the studs on the fenders. right? Whats the best way to actually position/lay out all these holes so when I drill them, they end up kind of straight? What about the studs on the doors and bedsides, how to I go about getting those on, or an alternative to having them? Thanks!

 

Dare I say it? ... refer to LMC's catalog for the layout. I thhink the Dennis carpenter catalog has a layout too.

In terms of straight lines, use masking tape in combination with a flexible ruler and a waterbased marker.

 

No holes or studs in the new door and bed side parts... I'd just leave it that way and have no fear of rust. Weld fill the holes in the fenders and than paint it all up.

You can get your paint guy to paint you some chrome and black strips in that dent and even race trac trim.

Check these folks out. http://cgfordparts.com/wwwsectionfil...e_molding.html

 

Get the layout guide. Drill holes for the push in clips and use rivets to attach the plastic clips that originally used studs.

 

doors have 1 stud/clip at each end of of both moldings(top dent one, and lower racetrack one) with 3 clips evenly spaced between them. I used self tapping screws through the plastic clips, I marked the positions, used a punch to make a mark so the drill bit point on the screw wont slide, put screw in without clip, had special touch up paint from autoparts store to paint hole edges with( I looked for one with a brush small enough to fit in the hole), and then installed screw through the plastic clip while paint is still wet so it seals up nicely and locks the screw in place(like a painted shut window, or paint instead of lock-tite compound)

bedsides dent clip positions: front of bedside to front of wheelwell is all plastic clips, then one hole for a stud/clip to go through that you then have to put the nut on from the backside of the fender, it is possible just awkward, either 11/32 or 5/16 nut, 11/32 is original ford size and 5/16 is aftermarket if I remember right. then from that stud/clip it is all plastic clips until in front of rear marker light I think (I will have to consult photos to check). Then for the vertical curved racetrack piece you will need 3 holes drilled through bedside for 2 stud/clips and one push-trhough metal clip in lower corner.

bedside lower racetrack molding: I will have to consult pics later, i think there were 11 or 16 attachment points. I know it uses 3 different styles of clips: the small plastic clips for the factory studs that are missing, the push-through style metal clip, and the stud/clip that will need a nut put on from the backside(i think there are 3 of these, 1 ahead of wheel well and 2 behind it). The push-through style clips were only used above the wheelwell and I think ford used 6 or 8 of them.

And if I remember right there was approx 14" vertical space between bottom of dent molding and top of racetrack molding at the front of the box (the rear of the box has that wraparound vertical racetrack piece), OR 14" of space between holes I drilled for moldings. Pretty sure it was between edges of moldings

 

My 79 F150 didn't have the wide trim down the side, but I wanted it. So, I drilled all the holes for the clips, & welded on all the studs.

Sand all the paint or primer off in the dent where you need to put the studs & drill the holes. Measure half way across the dent at each end of the panel, make a mark. Run a straight edge between those marks, & make a few more marks. Run a long length of masking tape between the marks to connect them. Mark where you want your studs & holes. I recommend drilling the holes with what is called a bullet bit. It has a small center drill, with cutting edges to give you the hole size. It makes a much cleaner hole than a standard drill bit. I welded all the studs on with a stud attachment on a handheld welder normally used for welding pull studs on to sheet metal to pull out dents. It worked really well after some practice on some scrap fenders. Then prime & paint. Make sure you paint the back of the panel too, rust will want to start everywhere a stud was welded or a hole was drilled.

No way I would rivet the clips on, that is inviting rust!!

It wasn't as hard as I imagined it would be, just a little time consuming. It looks great now that it is done, everything lines up fine & looks straight.