Most threads on this topic are old so starting afresh. Since DC won’t make OE long bed rails anymore, I’m thinking of stainless steel rail caps. There are a few vendors out there but only a few. The best seems to TruckedUp.

Any other bed rail cap options you’re aware of that fit well?

 

I have used "Pacer" Rail Guard since they first came out in the '80s or very early '90s. I like they provide protection, are forgiving, and they offered a great surface for a cap I had. My first set had been in place for over 30 years when I removed them to put new bed sides on just a few years ago. They come in various kit packages to suit the needed lengths. When pulling the old ones off, was surprised how well they had stuck. They are a black plasticized rubber like, I was going to reuse them but they needed new double sided tape, then I found a sale and bought a new set for what just tape would cost. Easy to trim ends with scissors. I did add a single 3/16" SS pop rivet at each end to keep them in alignment, but that really was not needed. I also like that they cover standard holes, but one could cut there if needing the holes. When gassing up, I can lay my upturned gas cap on it and the two wing like tabs rest in grooves and it stays there. I used set number 21-107. There other sets, but this one gave me what I needed and extra left over. I found mine in a sale googling the number.
Rail Guards : Rail Guard Complete 7'-8' Bed 4 Piece Kit

Was bare here, before adding tool box and tie downs ... but I did have my Pendaliner "83001 SRX" under lip drop in liner in by then.

Later, below. The white short lines just remind me where there are 4 black wooden blocks between the bed liner top edge and the bed rail lip to keep the liner edges pushed back under the bed rails & hidden from rain.

 

That is one heck of a post in reply. Amazing. I’m looking for stainless steel or aluminum to match the truck. They do not appear to be that many options on the market. I ordered a tailgate calf this morning from the above linked website. If I like the finish and fit, I might think about the bed rails as well.

 

I seem to remember test fitting a pair of stainless steel flat cover one's (bed rail caps) that were on my dads 96 Dodge 1/2 ton 2wd ext cab, short bed. And they fit my 77 F250 pretty good as far as the curve off the top of the bed and coming down over the edge a bit. Yes of course they were to short to go on a long bed.

FYI I believe LMC used to make long bed OEM rails....Can not find them now. But Southwest Classics does show short bed, but show long bed in the pic.
https://swclassics.com/1973-96-ford-...tyle-side-bed/

OEM bed rail talk thread. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...bed-rails.html

Ah I have a spare set of OEM LONG BED rails ones and even a set of OEM SHORT BED rails. Just saying...

 

It just dawned on me. I too often write of "bed rails" when what I really mean is "bed side tops". My truck had the long factory "bed rails", but they didn't work with a shell. I gave () them to a buddy and he put them on his truck, and by the very next time I saw them they were already FUBAR-ed by a firewood trip to the woods with his teen son. Extruded aluminum rail was bad bent on both sides. Was in the '80s.

Oh well, he liked them for a few weeks maybe.

 

Dang it .... again ....................... pfffft

 

I am evaluating whether to get the OE bed rails or a pair of new stainless bed rail caps. Rich is helping me out with some options on the rails. I will post up some pictures once the tailgate cap arrives next week.

 

At least the OEM bed rail mount in the stake pockets and you do not have to drill any holes in your bed. I am sure you can use 3M double sided tape to mount the bed caps if you go that route. Pardon the sort of rusty/paint flakeing used like a truck truck.


I have another set of bed rails that I planned on putting on the blue truck, but after 9 years I finially sold the truck before I put them on.....