Does anyone have the GMC "factory" side bed rail protectors installed? If so, does the outside edge line up with the outside edge of the protector on the tailgate?


The ones I have seen on the road do not, and it makes a sloppy looking installation with the tailgate protector extending an inch or so further down than the sides. (Fords I have seen have perfectly even edges, and look great).


Anyone know of any aftermarket protectors that will look right on a 2004 GMC?

I have not yet seen factory or after market bed rail protectors that match the depth of the tailgate protectorhttp://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif.

I got a set of rails from the Retrax folks and they are working great so far. They mount flush with the from edge of the box. They also work good with my Retrax Gen 3 cover. Good luck!

I decided to replace the factory tailgate protector with a stainless unit from DeeZee. That's because I use aluminum ramps to load the 4-wheeler and they would just chew up the plastic factory protector.


With stainless on the back, there was no question about the bed cap rails. I originally had not considered those, but after reading some posts about how fragile the bed cap rails are, stainless seemed like the only way to go there as well.


Now I've got to decide about that Denali tailgate handle......http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif

Doesn't appear so.


On edit, these are GM OEM caps.


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/451_rear_qtr.jpgEdited by: tophog

I got some of the OEM from Gm for Xmas on my truck, they look great. I will take a picture of them when the ice is gone.

Mine are OEM....


http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL227/437876/777914/34406771.jpg

Whatever you do DON"T buy the diamond plate plastic ones by Lund! They have the two sided tape that I couldn't get to stick. Followed the directions to a T and they would not stick. I predrilled holes and tried to use small screws to hold them on. They cracked where the screws were. Ended up trading the truck for a crew cab and sprayed in a bedliner.

Maverick,


Thanks for the pic, but it does not show if the lower outside edges of the bed rail caps and the tailgate caps are in alignment or not. I'm guessing that they are not, but let me know if they are.


What's the hole in the bed of your truck? I want to get a Hidden Hitch for a fifth wheel, but I think it leaves four small holes in the bed when it is removed.

I have some rails from bushwhacker. They look to be at about the same level as the tailgate caps. Exactly the same finish. Stick very well. Come with or without stake holes.

My one ton just came in and it's got the plastic caps on it. They look just like tophog's.


The new stainless ones should be much closer. I'll get you a picture when I can, but it's going to the body shop right now to fix freight damage.....http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Dead.gifEdited by: Zeeb

There is a pretty big gap on the OEM ones, and they aren't level with the tailgate protector.


Iam not sure about the Procaps protectors, maybe someone has a set to show? P.S. Sorry about the dirty truck, we had a bad ice storm yesterday.





http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/Z87_DSC00507.JPGEdited by: Duramaxdad

Thanks for the photo, DuramaxDad. That's exactly what I needed to know. A prior post referred to the Bushwhacker brand. I've found several sources for them online. They flare out at the end of the side rail to match the stock tailgate cap.


They also sell the tailgate cap to match the side rails. 3 different choices of textures. Very nice looking.

I thought that the bed rail protector for the tailgate had the "lip" overhang. I have looked at the photos and it they are all flush with the gate. Is this the standard protector?

I think I know which one you're talking about now. I saw them on the back of the guy's truck who installed my running boards.


Found out I can't get stainless caps for the Dooley, nobody makes them. But the tailgate protector I saw is an optional one that has a lip extending to the rear of the tailgate, is that it?


If so, those require that you drill four mounting holes into the OUTSIDE of the tailgate to secure it.

Well I can't say about the fit on newer GM trucks, but I just put a set of Bushwackers on my '94 a few weeks ago and the fit is perfect. I took off aluminum diamond-plate ones that were tarnished (and damaged http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif) and replaced them with Bushwacker "Diamondback" caps. So far I love them!!


Scott