shaving drip rail question
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 129
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From: Baton rouge, Louisiana
shaving drip rail question
Tommorow afternoon i plan to begin removing my drip rails. Just wondering if there is anyone out there who has any tips or experience on doing this. Should i grind them off, snip or pull them off? Just looking for tips thanks guys
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,644
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From: Moro Bay, AR
Randy Jack where are you? Check out member Randy Jack's gallery for some great pics and advice for completing this mod.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=27695
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=27695
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Thanks for the plug, Jeff.
Cody - When I shaved my drip rail, I was most concerned not to lose the roof geometry while doing it. The whole cab is spotwelded together at the drip rail. That's why I did it in sections, welding every other one, then shaving the rest of the sections. The best section width was about 4 inches max. This method worked well, but takes more time than just whacking the rail off (hoping it all stays in the same place), then welding it all up. I think it also helped hold the heat down since the sections are separated. Even though, I still jumped around to allow cooling and minimize shrinkage.
I cut my rails off using a cutoff wheel on an angle grinder. I cut off the upturned leg all around first, so I could see what I was doing. I cut alternating sections close, then used a flapper wheel to blend the metal edges flush to the cab shape, then welded those sections. Then trimmed the rest of the sections the same way and welded them.
Good luck.
It's a fun mod to do.
Cody - When I shaved my drip rail, I was most concerned not to lose the roof geometry while doing it. The whole cab is spotwelded together at the drip rail. That's why I did it in sections, welding every other one, then shaving the rest of the sections. The best section width was about 4 inches max. This method worked well, but takes more time than just whacking the rail off (hoping it all stays in the same place), then welding it all up. I think it also helped hold the heat down since the sections are separated. Even though, I still jumped around to allow cooling and minimize shrinkage.
I cut my rails off using a cutoff wheel on an angle grinder. I cut off the upturned leg all around first, so I could see what I was doing. I cut alternating sections close, then used a flapper wheel to blend the metal edges flush to the cab shape, then welded those sections. Then trimmed the rest of the sections the same way and welded them.
Good luck.
It's a fun mod to do.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 129
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From: Baton rouge, Louisiana
really good info randy jack and i must say you did a really good job on yours, i saw it in the mods thread. Too bad i didnt read this first though, i went ahead and shaved both passenger and driver window drip rails all the way down, and usually i dont do things this stupid, but it took me a minute before i realized that the damn roof was connected..haha. Well i hope i dont lose the geometry of it but i think it will be ok. Just wondering if you think this will be a problem when i weld it all back up tommorrow or the next day?
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: S.C.
Hey cody, I did it like Randy. Cut and grind a section then tack weld it spaced out, cut and grind another section...etc.
My rail was rusted thru in places though so I had some area that were not solid to begin with, I did have to deal with the heat warping on the cab seam, didnt know to hammer back into shape as I went...but the warp wasnt too bad.
I have heard some folks have an issue with the sealer that is between the seams...trouble with welding so you might want to look into heating it out as much as possible with a torch.
Does anybody have a better way of cleaning out the seams befor welding ???
good luck with it, Ed
My rail was rusted thru in places though so I had some area that were not solid to begin with, I did have to deal with the heat warping on the cab seam, didnt know to hammer back into shape as I went...but the warp wasnt too bad.
I have heard some folks have an issue with the sealer that is between the seams...trouble with welding so you might want to look into heating it out as much as possible with a torch.
Does anybody have a better way of cleaning out the seams befor welding ???
good luck with it, Ed
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Originally Posted by codys50ford
...I went ahead and shaved both passenger and driver window drip rails all the way down... Well i hope i dont lose the geometry of it but i think it will be ok. Just wondering if you think this will be a problem when i weld it all back up tommorrow or the next day?
Of course, if the whole front rail is also gone......
You'll be fine. Take pictures!!!
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