wondering short of asthetic reasons, are there reasons some like or don't like the bed rail kits. I was thinking of ordering some, I have a soft cover on the way now, but thought they would look good together, anyone done this, and have pictures.

Some like them and some don't.

They are not usefull to tie anything other then styrofoam down with.

So you either like the look of them or not.

I have them on my 5th generation and love the way they look.

Some people will mention the holes and rust issues if they are done right thats not an issue.

What it boils down to is if YOU like the look or not.

I don't like them because you have to drill six holes on each side to mount them. That's twelve more possible points for rust to start. I hate rust.

i like the way they look....

my old 76 ad rails...personally i liked em. they were mean and cuved lookin, realy stylish for that car, matched teh trim n such. my father didnt liek em but hell that doesnt matter now the poor thing is so rusted we got rid of it. like they said depends on if you liek ema nd if you wann atek the time to install em correctly and take care enough so they wont be all crapped out and start rustin your car up. for me i thinkits the style of the rails and hwo they math the car that lets me decide. on my car tho, wouldnt do it. ive got too much of the whole muscle thing goin to put in rails, they just dont go w/ each other ya kno.

It is as a couple of guys have said your choice. My take on it is if the car is a stocker and not an SS car its OK. They don't be long on a smooth custom or a SS muscle car.

I like the way they look, but functionally they're a nightmare. I do tend to lounge in the back of my truck between classes, and people come over to talk and end up leaning on the damn things, I'm afraid that they're going to rip out!

I like the way they look, but functionally they're a nightmare. I do tend to lounge in the back of my truck between classes, and people come over to talk and end up leaning on the damn things, I'm afraid that they're going to rip out!

good point

Never been a fan of the rails. Not even on trucks. I like function. For hauling I suggest bed hooks. For looks, well thats your choice.

My 83 had rails on it when I bought the car and everyone seems to like the look with the two tone paint on the car. I think you will find they look better on cars with the more traditional paint jobs they give the car a more of a classic look. If you are going for the smooth modern hot rod custom design you might want to hold off on the rails. There is no question they are pretty much just cosmetic and a natural place for people to lean on. My final comment is if I had not already had them I probably would not install them. Once you put your soft cover on you will probably for go the rails and if you do deiced to add the rails you will have to modify the cover since it has to attach between the rails. If you want to see what they look like on mine check page 5 Texas Pride.
Harald K.

I didnt like 'em at first but I've kinda warmed up to them...maybe its that "country look"....(5th gen page 29), :cool:

Harold K,

That is one sweet motor you've got in that thing, what did you transplant into that and I'm assuming you built it outside the car and dressed it, th en dropped it in.

I would love to open the hood of my car and see that :)

What kind of issues do you have to deal with for smoging it.

Wow, my little vixen would be so jealous to see that. It would be like my girlfriend finding out my buddy just bought his girl a boob job and asking where is mine :)

GoGoPower, thanks for the compliment. Actually the engine originally came out of a 77 Camaro which I rebuilt about three years ago. I ran it with the Quadra jet carb system that I had rebuilt by Jet performance, used the ECM and all. It ran very well but I had always like the low end torque of the TPI fuel injection plus the easy starting and driving ability of fuel injection. So after collecting everything I needed and reading up on EFI as much as possible over the past year I finally converted the engine to a speed density system in June. So far I have been very pleased with the performance. It is a street car so I was not looking for 1/4 mile times but it runs great and is the perfect combination with the 700R4 and the 3.42 rear end I have surprised a number of Mustangs and rice burners who think my flowmasters mufflers are just noise . The car is a blast to drive with the drive train and some suspension up grades. You would be surprised at the difference some changes make such as the right front and rear sway bars, the right shocks, a shift kit, duel exhaust, a reasonable cam etc. Plus I figured if your going to built the car to your liking there is no reason it can't look good too. If you keep up with it keeping the engine clean is not that much of a chore. As for the smog issue, I live in Texas so the rules are not the same as they are for you you would have to retain some emission systems that I have deleted but they would not be hard to maintain as long as you know what you have to have going into the project. The car can pass an exhaust pipe test did this to confirm fuel mixture after I got it all together. Like I said it is all in deciding what your goal is and layout a good plan. Harald K