Question about the bed rail caps

Buzzard · #1 (**permalink**) 04-21-2002, 12:57 AM

I have an A.R.E. lid installed over the black bed rail caps and I dont like the way it fits. Im thinking about taking them off. Do they just pop off? (I hope I hope) glued in place? anyone done this? Any tricks?---Buzzard

jbtoy · #2 (**permalink**) 04-21-2002, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Buzzard
I have an A.R.E. lid installed over the black bed rail caps and I dont like the way it fits. Im thinking about taking them off. Do they just pop off? (I hope I hope) glued in place? anyone done this? Any tricks?---Buzzard

I do not have the bedrail caps, but, I do believe they pop off. I do have the ARE lid installed without them, and like the cleaner look it gives, IMO. I have 1.5" wide foam strip under the lid mounting rails to protect the bed rails. It also helps to keep water out (mostly when washing the truck). I think you will like the look, if you decide to do it.

bkelsey · #3 (**permalink**) 04-21-2002, 10:17 AM

Trucks that have the bed rail caps have a bunch of holes in the rail that the cap snaps into. Some times you have to put some spacers under the cap to support it when you clamp something on top of it..... Just a thought.

Bert

nedjames · #4 (**permalink**) 04-21-2002, 11:03 AM

I agree that the tonneau looks better with the bed rails removed. I just got an A.R.E. LS2 and tried it with the rails on first, then had the guys take the rails off. It sits down much better without the bed rails. The rails just snap out. Grap the end and pull up. You don't see the holes with the lid down. The tailgate cap has screws, but you can figure that out.

Buzzard · #5 (**permalink**) 04-22-2002, 04:09 PM

Just got back from talking to the people that installed my ARE about taking the caps off. He talked me out of it. He said that where the caps touch the paint the paint already had a rub mark that you would always see. We went out and looked at it and I think hes right. I think some of it would rub out but several places looked marked up pretty bad. He did agree to adjust the lid forward a little. I always thought it had to much of an overhang. It will look much better moved forward.---Buzzard

jbtoy · #6 (**permalink**) 04-23-2002, 06:31 AM

The caps do protect the sides and gate, but, interesting, that they mark up the paint, forcing you to leave them on. I just removed my liftgate plastic liner that has the wraparound feature over the top of the liftgate. The paint was marked up pretty good.
Buffing will not fix it. I got a FRP replacement cap from the dealer,
but, it requires 16 holes to be drilled!!!!! It is a cap, it is not supporting a load, so why that many holes is beyond me. Looking at other options for a good cap rail.
Bushwacker has a stick on type. May consider it. Any others worth considering?