It's like a Chevelle. It's got the same suspension, same dash, same powerplants, sort of the same look, but it's got a bed. What are we talking about? The El Camino of course. Chevrolet's answer to the Ranchero, these vehicles did a great job of blending the performance of a car with the utility of a light-duty truck. The problem with that is El Caminos got used and abused beyond the normal wear and tear seen by the Chevelles. So regrettably, if this is your project of choice you will have to address things the guy building a Chevelle won't--like anything dealing with the bed. The issue with Elcos for a long time was the lack of aftermarket support. Yes, anything that crossed over and fit the Chevelle was available, while the Elco-specific stuff has trickled in slowly. Now, Original Parts Group Inc. (OPGI) has finished reproducing one of the highest-wear trim items on the Elco--the bedrail moldings. Years of sliding stuff in and out of the bed usually dings, dents, and scratches these things beyond repair for the normal everyday guy. With the OPGI kits, you can re-trim your bed and make it look factory fresh without needing to know how to use a pick hammer, metal file, or polisher. OPGI has complete bedrail kits that include all the necessary clips and hardware for the '64-67, '68-72, and '78-87 models. They even sell each piece individually so if you just have one damaged piece, you don't have to buy a bunch of stuff you don't need. We took a trip to the OPGI R&D facility and followed along with the installation of the bedrail kits on both a '69 and an '84 Elko. 1 Original Parts Group Inc. (OPGI) makes complete bedrail kits for all El Caminos from '64-87, minus the '73-77. Shown here are the main pieces of stainless, the side rails. From left to right, you have the '64-67, '68-72, and then the '78-87.1 Original Parts Group Inc. (OPGI) makes complete bedrail kits for all El Caminos from '6 2 We'll start with the older El Camino first. The stainless was already off the vehicle so we will dive right into the installation. Step one is to install the front corner pieces, which are held on by two Phillips screws provided in the kit.2 We'll start with the older El Camino first. The stainless was already off the vehicle s 3 The headboard strip is next and is held on by a combination of a bunch of clips and two speed nuts. The clips slide over the little posts hanging off the sheetmetal, but if they are broken off you can drill a hole and use a pop rivet or screw to hold the clips. The ends of the strip are designed to snap over the chrome corners, so just center it and snap in over the clips with a little hand pressure. All the stainless strips we will be showing you in this story were installed by hand without the use of a hammer, so if they are not installing easily stop and confirm the clips are on correctly.3 The headboard strip is next and is held on by a combination of a bunch of clips and two 4 Each of the rear corners is capped with two pieces of chrome that are held on by speed nuts accessed through the taillight opening or the small filler plate on the inside of the bed. The larger top piece also has a Phillips screw at the front that needs to be installed.4 Each of the rear corners is capped with two pieces of chrome that are held on by speed 5 Four clips hold on the tailgate piece. These clips feature the necessary speed nut towers and snap into the stainless strip as shown. It will take a little adjusting to line them all up with the holes in the tailgate.5 Four clips hold on the tailgate piece. These clips feature the necessary speed nut towe 6 The side rails snap onto clips that are screwed to the bedsides. You may need a small rubber hammer to tap down the clips over the sheetmetal all the way. Since the stainless snaps to the clips, if a clip is not all the way down, the stainless won't fit tightly against the body.6 The side rails snap onto clips that are screwed to the bedsides. You may need a small r 7 The front edge of the strip slips over the front corner piece, which features a step down in it to provide a smooth look; the back however, just like factory, snaps over the top and you will see the edge of the stainless. A few good whacks with your hand should be enough to snap the stainless to the clips.7 The front edge of the strip slips over the front corner piece, which features a step do 8 Now that's a nicely trimmed bed. This was the deluxe kit (BK029) we installed here, which comes with everything shown and at the time of print retailed for $439.98.8 Now that's a nicely trimmed bed. This was the deluxe kit (BK029) we installed here, whi 9 Now let's move on to the late-model part of this story. Again, we will start with everything off the vehicle, so the clips will be the first thing installed. Unlike the earlier stuff, this car only has two types of clips and these will be used around the sides and tailgate. These plastic clips have a little metal clip buried down inside and they will definitely break when removing the molding. No worry, as OPGI provides all the clips in the kit.9 Now let's move on to the late-model part of this story. Again, we will start with every 10 The other clips attach much like the earlier models by snapping over small tangs along the back of the roofline.10 The other clips attach much like the earlier models by snapping over small tangs along 11 The corner pieces are held on by two Phillips screws. These happen to be the old pieces coming off since it was the only part left on the car. They don't look to be in bad condition.11 The corner pieces are held on by two Phillips screws. These happen to be the old piece 12 That is until you set it next to the new piece. Then its age really becomes apparent.12 That is until you set it next to the new piece. Then its age really becomes apparent. 13 On this later-vintage Elco, the side pieces go on next. The back end of the stainless will slip onto the corner piece for a flush fit. Again, just push down till the molding engages the clip, but don't snap it in at the front just yet.13 On this later-vintage Elco, the side pieces go on next. The back end of the stainless 14 The two pieces that run along the back of the roofline slip together in the middle, then engage into the side pieces. You kind of have to do this all at once and then engage the stainless onto the clips.14 The two pieces that run along the back of the roofline slip together in the middle, th 15 All the moldings come covered in this blue plastic to protect the finish during shipping. Once the molding is snapped to the body, the plastic covering will get stuck between the the body and molding and become a real pain to remove. Save yourself a lot of time and frustration by peeling off the little section that covers the bottom of the molding. If you do this, the remainder of the covering will simply peel off.15 All the moldings come covered in this blue plastic to protect the finish during shippi 16 The tailgate piece snaps on pretty much the same as the sides. You will notice that OPGI made them factory correct and even put in the little plastic filler pieces on the ends of the molding.16 The tailgate piece snaps on pretty much the same as the sides. You will notice that OP 17 There are two Phillips screws that lock the tailgate piece down, since it will get a bit more of a workout than the sides.17 There are two Phillips screws that lock the tailgate piece down, since it will get a b 18 Bed number two trimmed and ready to go. Just like the other, this was the deluxe kit (P25689) we installed and it comes with everything shown. This one is a little more expensive and retailed for $499.98 at press time.18 Bed number two trimmed and ready to go. Just like the other, this was the deluxe kit ( SOURCES Original Parts Group Seal Beach CA 562-594-1000 www.opgi.com By Calin Head Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
