I'm thinking of throwing mine as far as I can. Okay, well, either that, or getting "better" ones out of a junkyard. Are they as easy to remove as it seems? My GM service manual seems to imply that once the window weatherstrip is pulled down, there are just a ton of sheetmetal screws holding the drip rail to the car.

If any of you did take 'em off, any annoyances? Is the rain a pain in the butt now?

 

I have know Idea, but would like to know also.

I need a new one on my left side.....

 

They are easy to take off. Just take off the roof rail weatherstriping, then take out the screws and then remove the weatherstriping retainer, and then you can take out the 7 or 8 screws holing it on. Make sure you have weatherstrip adheasive and weatherstriping to go back on. I personally kept mine on cause I like the look.

 

I took mine off to replace a cracked one and I still need to get new weatherstripping. On a scale of 1-10 for PITA: 4.7

 

Okay, so they don't sound that bad to remove, thanks! But nobody's removed 'em completely? Were they present on all 82-92 Firebird/Camaros? A guy I knew had a '91 Formula, and it came from the dealer with no driprails. I think it made for a smoother look.

 

Mine are off right now, you may end up tearing your weatherstrip getting it out of the way so you know .... then there was about 5 phillips screws holding each on.

 

The weatherstrip above the passenger window is shot; that needs to go. But the strip above my driver's window is still looking good, so thanks for the tip, I'll have to be extra careful- or maybe just replace the weatherstrip anyway.

Notice any "big problems" with the drip rails gone? Can you drive with the windows open in the rain anymore? How did you fill the holes up, did you just put the original screws back in? Thanks!

 

I'm not sure what you are refering to as a drip rail. If it is a thing above the door windows that prevents water from dripping from the roof into the car when the window is down then I would definately not completely remove them. I have a '91 with T-tops so it has no such thing. Any time it is raining (even a light rain) I am forced to keep my windows completely closed or else the water drips (not just a little) down onto my leg. What happened as a result of this condition is that my floorpans have rusted along the rocker panel due to the extra moisture. It was a real PITA to repair the floorpans. Why cause this problem if you can avoid it. If the car will never see rain then it doesn't matter.

 

GEEE, all this time I have been asking myself why those dumb-*** engineers at chevy would make a car without drip rails. my car didn't have any when I bought it and neither does my friends bird, I just thought it was one of those stupid designer things.

the rain is deffinatly a pain in the ***, I may have to put mine back on (now that I know they had them).


YEA, YEA, I know, whos the dumb-*** now.

 

Dont forget to get some of the double sided sticky strips or whatever its called for the weatherstripping brackets. Put it on the back side of the bracket where its on the body and against the bracket.If not the weather stripping will set a 1/4ish deeper into the car.I have my windows fully adjusted towards the inside of my car and get just enough seal to not let water into the car.

 

i have a car with the drip rails and i currently own one without drip rails, and honestly have noticed no difference. I dont get the annoying water dripping in when the windows are down. hmmmm.....maybe i need to drive in the rain more often and see..interesting.

 

Thanks for the weatherstrip tip, '85Sport! Yeah Belker, that's what a drip rail is. It starts by the base of the a-pillar, and continues up above the door window, and ends before the b-pillar. I don't see my floorboards getting -that- rusted from removing them; and if Phoenix hasn't seen any big difference, I might yank mine. Plus, I didn't even think about T-top cars; that's right, they wouldn't have the rails. Well, hell, if there's too much water in the car, I'll put them back on! Thanks everyone!

 

What about the back side "drip rail" that holds the weatherstripping to the B pillar? Can you just zip the outer rail off with a dremel and still leave enough to attach the weatherstripping to?

I know the top channel and drip rail are on two different parts but the side is just one piece.

I'm trying to get pictures and descriptions before I do this. Thanks.