Projects 40 Ford Driprail Help???

My 39 Ford Opera coupes drip rails are rotted and parts of them are missing. I'm going to have a hot rod shop do the work. Has anyone out there done this, if so how long did it take? I'm trying to figure out about what it will cost by taking your info so I won't get ripped off. Thanks for any help. Choggie

 

Talk to HAMBer "flamedabone"...he just did this project on his '39. Check his post. Buford

 

Do a search, or check the tech archives.

There have been several posts on how to make your own.

One was during tech week a few times ago

 

Hey Guys this is my Dad's car and it's been his life-long dream to own a *****in' 39-40 Ford Coupe, and this one has been sittin for a long time. He just bought a complete set of drip rails from Bob Drake I believe, but he is wondering how labor intensive/expensive it is to replace these things. I keep trying to talk him out of it, go clean and smooth...but you know the die-hard Ford guys! Anyhow any & all help is always appreciated!!!

 

There was an article in one of the Rod mags (maybe StreetRodder) a few years ago, on what was involved with this job. Maybe someone remembers the issue or has a copy.

 

There`s not an easy or cheap way to replace the stock style driprails.

the rails are sandwiched in between the roof and the quarter panel.

that`s why you see all types of solutions to the drip rail problem.

many get leaded in and some get a different style rail.

I used 1/4"round rod and hand formed it up the ws post, over the door, and down the quarter. Mig spot weld every inch or so. Then put on your surgical gloves, and smear bondo in the groove above the rod and below...use your finger to pull a long sweeping groove in the bondo.It`s a fairly simple process...Good luck!

 

Yep, thats exactly what I did on my 46 Merc

 

Here is a 48 coupe that we did. The drip rails on this car were BAD. We used 1/4 rod and tig welded it all the way around it. It is pretty labor intensive if part of the rail is missing.

 

here is another pic

 

Here is one method but not my favorite.

http://www.srbymichael.com/construction/lonnie-keith/lonnie-keith-27.shtml

 

They look like *** with no drip rails or at least a raised bead.

 

Hey,

Be advised, your bigger problem isn't the driprail installation, but the rot that eat them to begin with! You may well have to remove 3''-4'' of metal above and below them to kill off any future rust from returning.

There isn't much worse than a drip rail repair with a 10-12K paintjob on it that starts to rust out in 2-3 years!

S****y Devils C.C.
" Oswald acted alone ?"

 

This is the post I made on making the repair for a friends 40 Ford sedan. HRP

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146469&highlight=drip+rail