1968 Plymouth GTX Drip Rail - Correct Kit for Vinyl Roof

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]1968 Plymouth Drip Rails – For Correct Vinyl Roof Installation[/FONT]
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I am wondering if anyone knows the difference between these two kits?[/FONT]
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#1[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]AMD's
PM B-Body 68-70 Drip Rail Mldg 8PS/SET #630-1468-S (EF-4172B)[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Although it clearly states "Non-Vinyl Top" on the shipping box label, vendor[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]is telling me it can be used for Vinyl Top installations.[/FONT]
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#2[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]JIMS AUTOBODY Part: OM6870 PBVT.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Conversely, this kit is clearly advertised – being for vinyl roof installations.[/FONT]
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My body man is telling me, most of the drip rail kits that he has ever
seen [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]are junk in comparison to the 'original' moldings that I still have
on the car -[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]which does not currently have a vinyl top.

i am being told, a vinyl roof can be [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]installed, while leaving the drip rails on
the car.... Afterward, a small bead o[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]f sealant is then typically applied along
the inner edge of drip rail to finish off the job nicely. [/FONT]
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I am wanting to install a vinyl top during my resto project this time around,
but I am not [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]sure if i should leave my old drip rails on the car,

or replace them with one of the two kits listed above,

following a prof install of the vinyl top.

I am wanting this job done correctly.[/FONT]
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Any suggestions?[/FONT]

I would go with what the roof installer wants to do. with vinyle under the drip rail, there may not be enough room to get the trim back on. It could be that the factory used two sizes of drip rail--one for non vinyle top and another for the vinyle top...............................MO

Pull the originals and see how they fit after the install of the vinyl. If it's not right, drink a beer, sit down at the computer and spend some money on a new one. Tada!:headbang:

From what I have seen, there are 2 different sizes of trim. The one for vinyl has a bluish color on the inside which is a little thicker to accommodate the thickness of the vinyl.

yup
2 different sizes vinyl/non vinyl
listen to your bodyman.. repop trim is mostly badfitting junk
find the correct original trim

68-70 Mopar B-body Drip Rail Moldings

The on going saga...

"Has anyone out there purchased a quality 8 piece kit,
recently, that actually fits correctly, over a 'Vinyl Top'
installation?"

When pre-purchasing all the replacement parts, that I anticipated
would be needed at various stages of this long and tiresome resto,
one such part was AMD's:

PM B-Body 68-70 Drip Rail Kit: #630-1468-S (EF-4172B)

My local vendor, who despite contacting his supplier, at the timeof my concern, was unable to get a 'clear' answer, as to whether
or not these moldings would fit correctly, on my Vinyl Top Install.

Reportedly, no other supplier was available and based on his comments:
that AMD was known for making quality parts; despite what appeared to
be some form of marketing confusion; their drip rail moldings would most
likely be ok; and more importantly to me, his saying, if they dont fit, then
simply bring 'em back; influenced my decision - to buy the AMD product,
admittedly with some reservation.

Over the past few months, and as my project mopar is nearing completion,
I have heard a number of stories from a variety of mopar fans, having since
established:

There were, in fact, two different molding sets, back in the day.
One - was clearly for 'Non-Vinyl' Installations
One - was clearly for 'Vinyl' installations
Most of you were probably aware of this and some of you have had some
rather negative experiences, while trying to install the wrong drip railings,
or working with inferior parts, then/now being flogged in the market place.

Sadly, there is conflicting and confusing information, still floating around
on the internet concerning this issue. (Gee, no surprise there)
So.... as a result, and wanting to get to the bottom of this BS
I decided to phone AMD directly, about their kit and was told:

The AMD, 8 piece kit is for "Non-Vinyl" Tops (ONLY)

In addition, they don't make an alternate kit for Vinyl Tops, due
to the lesser number of - Mopars - that would require such a kit.
This was not good news.

Unfortunately, my 'Original' moldings, have a few pry marks and
scratches, that may or may not be repairable. Although this car
will be a driver, my wanting to re-install them, even if I could get
them to fit, is not my first choice.
In addition to this post..., I am once again searching for a vendor
who has the correct freak'n moldings to make my installer happy.
To date, I have found one vendor "Jim's Auto Parts"...
whose advertising claims: their moldings can be used
for both 'Non-Vinyl' and 'Vinyl' Installations.
I was excited to learn of this, and after phoning Jims Auto Parts,
to establish the detailed measurements of their moldings product
in comparison to what I already have, (as seen in the below pics)
I was told their 6 piece kit was exactly like the original. Hummm!
This didn't give me the information, nor the confidence, that their
molding kit was (in any way different) than what I already had on
the shelf, so I asked if someone at their end, would be kind enough
to use a digital inside/outside micrometer to actually measure their
molding, (as is shown in my pics) to satisfy my stated concerns.
I was told by the receptionist, they didn't have a way of measuring
the moldings. I remain no better informed. Hummm!
Not to be discouraged and wanting to move forward...
my search took me back to the internet.
Interestingly enough: eBay is now currently listing two drip rail
molding kits for (68-70) Mopar B-bodies. One is made by 521
and the other is, yes, reportedly being made by AMD... WtH?
I was just told by AMD, they didn't make such a kit. Hummm!

Are you starting to get a sense of my confusion & frustration?

These kit(s) are now 'clearly' being advertised as:
Quality, Newly Tooled & Multi-Purpose
Drip Rail Moldings for both - 'Non-Vinyl' & 'Vinyl' Installations.
It would be interesting: to know the "A" & "B" measurements
of these 'latest and greatest' moldings.

I will try asking.... Wish me luck.
PS:
I suspect the 1mm difference in size between my original
moldings and the 'smaller' AMD product, shown in these
pics, is due to the originals having been installed; 47 yrs
of use; and final stretching incured, during their removal.
PPS:
These latest observations on e-Bay, would also suggest,
that either the AMD sales personnel, are not up-to-date
on what their company is making (OR)
there now happens to be a 521 product out there.. I have
yet to be informed about (OR)
e-Bay product descriptions – may be misinformed (OR)
perhaps simply in error.

Just in case, you elected to skip all of the above banter:

"Has anyone out there purchased a quality 8 piece kit,
recently, that actually fits correctly, over a 'Vinyl Top'
installation?" If so, from who?

"I would also be interested to know of anyone who
has purchased, one of the generic kits, mentioned on
e-Bay & what you now think of it?"

521 Restorations is a re- seller of restoration parts for Mopars not a manufacturer. I know that he sells AMD,since I have purchased metal , so that is probably the brand of drip rail that they have. Now I'm wondering if this Issue of different size moldings is also the case with A body and E body car with original Vinyl Tops. I need to check the drip rail on my GTS.

Thanx for the update about 521. I have since revisited e-Bay and grabbed a couple of screen shots illustrating: a reputable vendor selling AMD moldings, who claims they are suitable for both Vinyl and Non-Vinyl Tops; and a reputable vendor who is offering moldings, initially distributed by 521, who is also claiming the moldings are suitable for both applications. If these are both AMD kits, and they are in fact suitable for both applications, It would appear that I have been misinformed and lead on a wild goose chase by AMD. Out of curiosity, I have asked one of the vendors to confirm the manufacturer and to also measure his molding product in a similar fashion, for comparison to my known AMD measurements. It will be interesting to hear of the results. More to follow...

The following illustration, is a recap of reported sizing information, I have been able to dig up on this sorted topic. Based upon this new found knowledge, although a quality product, I will be returning my AMD moldings, are they are clearly not intended for my "Vinyl Top" application. Thankfully, I learned of these differences, prior to my installer potentially ruining one or more of the incorrect AMD parts. I must now place an order for moldings, more likely to fit - less all the hastle. If nothing else, I hope my efforts to document this fiasco, will assist 68-70 B-body owners, should any of you decide to go Vinyl. Cheers

Hello everyone... well, my vinyl installer did a masterful job installing the vinyl but unfortunately I have since discovered a couple of mallet marks on the 521's (driver side rear molding) boo. A decission was also made, in my absence, to leave off the small rear corner pieces, suggesting they could and should be attached overtop of the drip rails, following paint. The car is now back home from the shop... and, I am left to attach these small rear corner pieces. Despite being told they attach over the rear drip molding, I suspect, they should have gone on first, with the longer drip rails going on over top. If so, I must now pry off the new rear moldings, enough to attach the rear corner pieces, and then reattach the drip rails over top (!^&*). Can anyone confirm if I have this right? I have already eyeballed putting these corner pieces over top and it looks to me, doing so, will be a royal pain in the (!##) trying to get the wider underside of this molding fitted beneath the window channel strip, without a lot of prying and potential paint damage. Your comments are welcome.

2015-03-16 (Update)
I retrieved my original rails out of a box and discovered, they fit nicely "over the top" of the corner pieces. Right or wrong, I pried off the newly installed drip rail molding, just enough, so I could insert the missing corner moldings without messing up paint and re-attached 521's drip railing over top of the original corner pieces. Not perfect, but done.

Having been away for awhile, I dropped in to look around the forum.

On review, I have noticed that no one has commented on whether or not the (rear) drip rail molding goes (over top or underneath) the small curved rear corner piece.

I will attend car shows in the Spring, where no doubt I can look at several 68-69 b-body drip rail installs, to answer the question, but in the meantime, perhaps one of
you who owns a 68-69 b-body, could take a look at your install and let me know what which of these 2 pieces is supposed to go on top of the other...:read2: