Drip rail variations

[shadwolf]

Does anyone know what years the plastic drip rails were used, and if all were riveted on? My '76 was purchased new by my father and it had the drip rails riveted on when he bought it. I've seen online where another mentioned his '75 being plastic and riveted on as well.

I ask as it seems most are stainless and bolted on, earlier models w/ 1/4" screws, later models bolted w/ 7mm screws.

Were the plastic ones usually painted the body color, or?

[Captkaos]

From 1973-1975 and potentially later.  None of these trucks came from GM with drip rails.  And engineer working on the trucks designed a drip rail and started selling them to the dealerships to install.  They were plastic and were added by the dealership and were riveted on (from what I have seen).  In 1976 GM released their version of the drip rails in metal and were bolted on.  This was an option so depending on the trim level some trucks would have had them added if the owner requested them..

more mentions on this..  http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=8286.msg53260#msg53260

[blazing816]

so does that mean you really do not need the drip rails?? and would it cause any problems removing them (as long as you plug the screw holes of course)??

[bake74]

so does that mean you really do not need the drip rails?? and would it cause any problems removing them (as long as you plug the screw holes of course)??

     As long as your rubber on your door is in good condition and the door is adjusted right it will keep the water out.

[shadwolf]

From 1973-1975 and potentially later.  None of these trucks came from GM with drip rails.  And engineer working on the trucks designed a drip rail and started selling them to the dealerships to install.  They were plastic and were added by the dealership and were riveted on (from what I have seen).  In 1976 GM released their version of the drip rails in metal and were bolted on.  This was an option so depending on the trim level some trucks would have had them added if the owner requested them..

more mentions on this..  http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=8286.msg53260#msg53260

Wow, I didn't realize up to a point that they were dealer installed. The plastic, riveted-on ones must have been installed by the dealers on the trucks late through '76, as my dad's paperwork shows he took delivery 7/26/76, and it was a Silverado that he special-ordered; it wasn't off a lot.

This weekend I decided to go a different route with the drip rail moldings on the truck. I never liked the way they looked, but can't stand water coming off the roof, so I went and found the '89-'91 style drip rails off an '89 Suburban this weekend. I like them so much better as they're smaller, and being painted, blend into the cab so much better in my eyes. If anyone is curious as to what they look like, see the drip rail over the passenger's front door in this picture:

http://www.favcars.com/chevrolet-suburban-1989-91-photos-61422.htm

[Boonie]

these confuse me.  apparently they were dealer installed, but I have a Chevy brochure from 1973 that clearly shows them, and says "Drip moldings designed to collect and direct water flow from roof are available." were these a regular production option? 

[winky]

these confuse me.  apparently they were dealer installed, but I have a Chevy brochure from 1973 that clearly shows them, and says "Drip moldings designed to collect and direct water flow from roof are available." were these a regular production option? 

We still install all kinds of things on newer vehicles if a customer asks for it. (I work at a Chevrolet Dealership) For instance i have put on several chrome packages (not sure what base model they are?) but some times it actually cheaper to buy an "lt" and have the chrome option added if you are just going for looks then buying an "ltz" Another good instance is the new 2014 trucks i have installed 2 grills on them that they do not come from the factory with, but we have an option to buy them and install them... not sure why. Ill try to snap some pics the next time i do one.

[LTZ C20]

As winky said, I also work for a Chevy dealership. It's weird how they offer these options but don't come from factory installed. Yet sometimes they show trucks with dealer options already installed. Lots of people will buy a normal mid level truck and then add stuff a little later sometimes because they then have some extra money or they didn't know they could get it and when they find out they want it.

[bake74]

these confuse me.  apparently they were dealer installed, but I have a Chevy brochure from 1973 that clearly shows them, and says "Drip moldings designed to collect and direct water flow from roof are available." were these a regular production option?

      Is this a dealership or factory brochure ?  My assumption is the dealer made the brochure and they added drip rails to all the trucks so they could have a edge over their competitors.  Or they lived in a area where the owner (dealership) either thought they looked good or needed (because of rain) so he had them added to the trucks.

[Boonie]

I didn't realize different areas of the country had different brochures.  I assumed they all came from GM, and were all the same.  the 73 has the drip rails mentioned, nothing in the 74 brochure, and they are back in the 75. 

[Captkaos]

The GM brochures show no drip rails on the 1973 as they weren't available.  Where are you seeing them?

[Boonie]

im not saying im right, just trying to wrap my head around this.  I always thought they were either standard equipment, or a regular option.  here is a link to a pic of the brochure I am looking at. 

http://s847.photobucket.com/user/jvcnctdBoonie/media/73brochure_zpsbccc63f4.jpg.html

[Boonie]

of course, the only reason I was thinking this is grandpas 74 has them, and dads 75 had them.  I don't think either one of them actually asked for them to be put on.  well, dad may have, he always had an eye to the future and what he thought would be best for his vehicles, but grandpa wouldn't.  all he wanted was something to pull a grain trailer, no frills at all.

[Captkaos]

That isn't a 1973 brochure.  I have one.  That is a 1974 Brochure..
http://brochures.slosh.com/index.shtml?1974, click the link on the left that says pickup.  3 picture from the right...

[winky]

whats the "exterior tool and..." at the bottom of the bed side??