1965 Fastback Mustang Project

[rusty428cj]

Hey Rusty,

wanted to see if you could give me some guidance on the drip rail shaving or repairing.

I am in the middle of restoring my 67 fastback and have it on the rotissiere.

I had some rust in the door opening where the drip rail piece wraps underneath and plug welds to door opening. The rust wasn't terrible but had a few holes thru the drip rail piece underneath as well as the base metal for the opening.

I had planned to cut out both layers and weld in a couple patches but after removing some of the drip rail piece underneath it has more corrision than I expected. I am trying to figure out should I try and patch them, replace them completely or shave them.

To patch them will be tough since I would need to trim out the entire a pillar piece from underneath and would likely have to butt weld them back together in the actual drip rail seam and that would probably be a nightmare to grind smooth and make look right.

To replace the entire drip rail(they do have replacements) I can see how the rails attach underneath at both pillars but in the middle of the door it looks like the lip is vertical and slides between the roof structure and roof. Not sure how I can remove that and would removing the roof be required to do that?

The last option is to shave them and I kind iof have mixed feelings on this. The cars you have done look pretty slick but I was hoping to not make drastic mods to the care although I probably will never sell it.



If I shave them I should drill out the spot welds and remove the part of the rail that plug welds in the dopr opening. then trim close to car with body saw or die grinder/cut off wheel then gring the area down flush and but weld the panels together. Working a small section at a time. That sound about right.

Any advice or info is appreciated, Mike

I like the look without the drip rails so I would cut them off and patch whatever is needed under them. You could get new drip rails (have never put them on so not sure if they will fit) but you have to make sure and put them in the right place or your trim under the roof rail weatherstrip won't fit. Also replacement drip rail trim that I have seen is thinner and does not want to fit.