Seeking Wooden Rub Rail Replacement Wisdom

[texas pinzgauer]

I recently mangled one of the rub rails on my 710 and am now considering my replacement options. I can replace it in wood (what kind and why) or angle iron or some sort of square dimension tubing.
I have a buddy who loves to weld and fabricate stuff and he wants to weld replacement rails directly to the body but I'm not thrilled with that approach...unless I learn that this is a common approach.

I'd appreciate any ideas y'all have developed to replace these items. Sharing your photos on the subject would also be helpful and very much appreciated.

Thanks!

[krick3tt]

I also mangled my wood rails. I removed them and replaced with 3/4 x 2 steel channel iron. I used the original rails to use as a pattern for the holes in the channel and screwed them to the sides in place of the wood. I also placed .25 thick washers between the channel and the body and I fabed some tables to use for camping that go into the space from .25 5250 alum plate. I tapered the ends of the iron to simulate the angle of the wood.
They are holding up well, course I have not kissed any big rocks lately either.

Cheers,
Morris
710M
M416 trailer

[undysworld]

I made up a set for a 712 from 2x stock salvaged from an old deck. It was green treated, straight grained, and dry. Cut them and painted them black and they looked really nice. Lots of drilling!!
There's some nice plastic "wood" available now. It might work OK.

[pcolette]

I made rails similar to Morris' description out of channel iron and used rubber grommets to hold them off the body for some give and to also let water drain out. Made each side in two pieces for easier installation.







Paul

[IA712]

Thanks for the pictures Paul, I've been thinking about doing something like that. Bet nobody bangs their car door into your truck in parking lots.
Lloyd

[PinzEOD]

I also went with steel channel replacements, however, I kept a couple feet of the original wood rail up front. The wood is a LOT more skin friendly when the outside temp hits 115.

[andy]

I noticed Mike Nims didn't answer, or hasn't had time to answer, but he has some really neat rub rails. There are pictures of his on the SWPA website in the classifieds under side rails I think.

[mjnims]

Hey its duck season out here and the cooler weather up north has finally pushed them down south for our enjoyment.

Anyway here is a picture of the rails I use (regularly some would say).
http://www.swpinzgauer.org/message_boar ... PIC_ID=797

It is worth the time to look at the other items being made on the SWPA site. If you have a fabricator these are fairly easy to make and work exceptionally well.

[texas pinzgauer]

Thanks a bunch Mike, I'll have a look at yours and those you mention at the other website.

[andy]

pcolette and PinzEOD, I wasn't slighting your siderails when I mentioned Mims' rail. Both ya'll have some real neat looking rails. I especially like the side markers in Paul's. Hope I didn't offend anyone.

Andy

[pcolette]

Hi Andy,
No offense taken. I like Mim's better but they were beyond my fabrication skills. Glad you like the side markers, the Pinz can be hard to see from the sides.

Paul

[pinzwheeling]

Hey its duck season out here and the cooler weather up north has finally pushed them down south for our enjoyment.

Anyway here is a picture of the rails I use (regularly some would say).
http://www.swpinzgauer.org/message_boar ... PIC_ID=797

It is worth the time to look at the other items being made on the SWPA site. If you have a fabricator these are fairly easy to make and work exceptionally well.

One of the locals here has those rails that he purchased from one of Mike's buddies. They definately look the biz and appear to be pretty beefy. The only thing I was concerned with was possibly "grabbing" an obstacle between the rails and the body, and possibly pulling pretty hard on the body. Even with that thought, I would still go ahead and purchase them if I were in the market.

[SAM. C.]

Hi All

When I got my Pinz the rub rails were rotted and broken. I did consider a number of options. Have a look back over previous threads on this subject someone had some made some tubular rails that you could rope onto. I though this was a great idea as there are not many decent anchor points to tie a rope to. Having said this I opted for timber. I used Kwila as it is pretty tough and resistent to rot. I just oiled them and I am pretty pleased with how they look.


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Cheers

Sam

[russ]

Do a search on the forum for "rub rails" and you will find a lot of discussion. I have made new ones out of Trex and the composite that home depot sells. Both material types came out nicely and are quite durable. I personally like the Trex in brown that I chose but the gray ones from Home Depot looked good too. The composite material has good compressibility and cuts like regular wood if you go slow. For the Home Depot material I used a single banister railing (90 degree angle of material) and cut into two lengths, then shaped for one 710M truck. I have some details on a previous post on the order for drilling holes with regular and forstner bits to get them aligned right. It will show up in the search. I have made them for Ks and Ms. Good luck

[andy]

Sam C, so that's what my Pinz looks like without mud and dust under it all the time. Nice looking machine and the rails look good.