6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

Hello, I thought it might be helpful to pool all the bed rail info in one spot, for those that are looking for ideas for there projects. Please upload pictures of your rails, instructions, ads for rails, etc.. Even camper shells and bed covers in fiberglass or vinyl. Anything that looks good in or on your truck bed. Thanks, GM

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

Here is a picture of the bald cypress rails I made to match the floor wood.

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

Here's a brain scratcher, I found a 1963 Chevrolet Accessory Installation Instructions Manual that has a page dated 1959 for a set of bed rails. I have never heard of these being factory accessories before 1963. Has anyone ever seen a set on a pre-1963 GMC or Chevy truck? Also, I have yet to find these rails available in any GMC Accessories Catalog. Were they only available through Chevrolet? They look cool as all outdoors. I really want a set for my truck. The new style stuff is fine for later model stuff, but these look right for the 6066 trucks. GM

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

Here is some 1960 info from Chevrolet concerning there side rails.They are listed in the 1960 Chevy Price Guide as side rails under part # 988257. retail $48.50 Dealer cost $29.10. Does anyone know if GMC offered these same rails? GM

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

I will have to look for my early GMC accessory books . As for the 1959 print date, it was common for Chevrolet accessories to be advertised or made in the beginning of each model year. Mid to late 1959 is when the new 1960 models were introduced. The 988257 accessory number is listed in the 1960 Chevy only parts book that book was also printed in 1959. I have an NOS set of these and a used set I pulled off a 1960 years ago. Very good question on whether they came on GMCs ??

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

I am leaning toward believing that these were not a GMC Accessory. Since they are first cousins to Chevy trucks, I think they used or ordered from the Chevy part number. I happen to know that Chevy and GMC shared part numbers on there Torsion Bars. So there was certainly some plurality in the sharing of part numbers. I have the 1960 GMC Accessory Catalog. It lists all the other chrome goodies. But there is no mention of side bed rails. I have the 1960 GMC Accessory flyer, same deal. I have never seen advertising from the 6066 era that includes side bed rails on a GMC. I have seen Chevy trucks from this era with the side bed rails. My 1960 GMC Master Parts Book has no mention of rails, nor a matching part number. Speaking for the 1960 GMC year models only, and based on my own exhaustive research into the matter, side bed rails were not available from GMC in a GMC part numbered kit. Maybe in other years, although I have found no evidence that they were either. If these particular side rails are sometimes found on GMC trucks, I believe it was because they were the closest thing handy from a sharing cousin. GM

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

Attachment 3331

here is a pic of the rails on my 66 1500. they came with the truck, i don't know who made them.

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

Hey ilvracn, Those rails are sharp(and so is the truck). They did the attachments from the inside, so the outside rail wood is smooth. I like the posts they made too. Looks like White Oak? I have thought about cutting my rails down like yours, for better visibility. Looks sharp either way. Thanks for posting, GM

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

Any luck finding GMC paper with the side bed rails? I have been digging, and I did manage to run across 1963 Chevrolet Accessory books with the rails. One US, and one Canadian Chevrolet. Same part number. The US GMC 1963 Accessory book has no rails. In fact, no US GMC Accessory book from 60-66 lists the rails. I think the rails look great on GMC trucks. I also think, based on the overwhelming evidence available, that the rails were never available from GMC. IF you had a GMC, and wanted "GM Rails", you had to use a Chevrolet Part number to order them. All the evidence points to this. Some dealers had both lines, so in-house ordering of Chevy parts to bolt to GMC trucks, was no problem. Others had to drive across town to the Chevy parts counter to order the rails. I would have done that in a minute. Even though they were never a 6066 GMC Approved Accessory, they were GM Built in the USA, and certainly period correct, and looked cool. GM

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

I made my rails from white oak (same as what I used to replace the bed flooring). I put the stakes on the outside and included D rings on the inside to assist with tie downs. The bed rails also serve as support for my canoe rack. Actually, I can fit two canoes side by side. I made the canoe rack from galvanized pipe. The piping is attached to the bed rails using wing nuts, so I can easily remove the piping if I just want to run with the bed rails only.

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

That's a great design element.(nice truck too). Was there a practical reason for having the boards face in instead of the usual mounting on the outside? Any chance you have a picture with the canoes onboard? Thanks for posting, GM

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

Thanks! Not near as nice as your truck though. Funny you asked why I put the boards on the inside... I mocked it both ways several times before I made my decision. Personal preference I guess. Because the upper portion of the bed angles inboard, it seemed to fit better that way. With the size of the stakes I was using, board placement, etc, the rails were almost hanging out, and sticking out past the cab. I also got to thinking about my grandpa; how much of his farm equipment had the wooden stakes on the outside, so that's what I went with.

I know I have some pictures with both canoes on, but that's been a couple of years ago and I'm not sure if I can finds the pics. The seats need replaced in one of the canoes, so I haven't taken it out in a while. I've attached a picture with the one canoe that we take fishing on a regular basis.

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

I found a picture with both canoes on my home built rack...

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

Very nice. Its really good to see these trucks being used and enjoyed. GM

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

Question, Do the stanchions you have, have three or four screw openings? If three, which direction is the side with one hole, toward front or rear of truck? Reason I ask is that the picture from the 1963 Chevy Accessories book looks like the single hole would be towards the back of the truck. I have only seen pictures with the single hole towards the front. For reference, the sweep of the stanchions is leaning towards the rear of the truck when mounted properly. Finally, have you any idea if Chevy ever offered stanchions with rectangular bases with four screw holes? I have seen them on old Ford trucks, but I wonder if they are Chevy parts. Thanks for any help, GM

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

I have been doing some digging. I went looking for 1960-66 Chevy Accessories Booklets, with listings of side rails. Here is what I have so far.

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

Last One . Now I have seen in print dated from 1959 thru 1963,the three screw triangular based stanchions. I have not seen the listings for 1964-66,I only have these years covers. Do any of you guys have the 64-66 listings for bed rails? I want to know if Chevrolet offered the same " Three-Screw Triangular based type stanchions" for all 60-66 trucks. Did Chevrolet ever offer a "Four screw rectangular-based stanchion? I have always seen this type on old Ford trucks and have assumed that they were a Ford option. I have not seen them on 6066 Chevy trucks(only seen the three-screw type). Could they be after market type that were simply marketed for Ford trucks, but would fit a Chevy truck also? Help, GM

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

Can anyone identify this Four-screw type stanchion set? These are the type I have only seen on old Ford trucks. That may just be happenstance, but I have never seen them on a Chevy or GMC truck. Is it Ford, aftermarket specifically designed for Ford, aftermarket generic type, or Chevrolet from any year? They look good either way, but I want to know who made them and when. Any help greatly appreciated, GM

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

This was taken from the 1963 Chevrolet Accessories Install Guide. It is dated 1961. The bolts and nuts from the 1959 dated guide have been replaced by screws. Everything else stayed the same. This confirms that this style stanchion was used from 1960 thru at least 1963 models.

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

Now Jon has went and caused even more confusion. These rails are made the way the Chevy part numbered ones are made in that smooth nicer chrome, but still have the 4 screw holes bases that have been determined to be aftermarket vs the 3 hole base ones.....

Re: 6066 GMC Truck Bed Rails,steel,wood,homemade or factory direct
 

Good eye Steve , I see that now. Wonder what they are from ? Possibly aftermarket ?