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1989 Dodge dually body trim

2K views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  Funeralhome59 
#1 ·
Evening, all. I'm new to the forum and fairly new to owning a beautiful 1989 first gen. I bought this truck a few months ago mostly because I thought it was so pretty but also because my 15 year old son convinced me it's the perfect truck for a soon-to-be driver. He's my youngest and last one at home and I couldn't say no. I've done a little work to it (some modest engine upgrades and put on the rims) and must admit I absolutely love driving it. I get tons of comments everywhere I go. She's a pretty truck - only 119K original miles and clean as a whistle. Anyhow, one of the few things she needs is a simple piece of body trim. It's the body trim on the passenger side that goes from the back of the wheel well to the bumper. It's about an 18" long piece of black and chrome trim. It's missing and I have no idea where to find a replacement. Is there somewhere to buy it or am I destined to go junk yard hunting until I find it?

I appreciate any help! Thanks for listening and I'm eager to learn more about the 5.9!

Chad
 
#2 · (Edited)
Its been my experience 1989 is too old to get an [exact] match and even when they were new, Chrysler/Dodge was sourcing trim from different batches.. so they're all a little unique. A "kit" seems to be the way to go, which means [pre-cut] or [roll].

Pre-cut attempts to "edge" the pieces for you so they are custom formed and terminate as you would expect for doors and things, spears on the front and the rear to conduct air flow. But mostly its generic best guess, sharp edges minimize air drag and look nice. Flat blunt ends traumatize the air flow and make noise... might peel the trim away after time.

Rolls are pretty much "roll your own" it comes in a spool and may or may not have backing tape to adhere to the vehicle. The only important thing here is the "profile" or shape of the molding like the molding you would line the ceiling in your living room.. generally you want it to match as close as possible the profile of the Trim you have.. and chrome if it has any.

You can buy it generic, find it in shops that sell it.. or go online and find something even closer. Wrecking yards also might be a source, but weather and UV can make it look bad.. you might try a heat gun to heat it up and reflow the plastic, but be very careful. Even pulling it off might damage it beyond use.

Specialists might be a good source
http://www.customautotrim.com/body-side-moldings/body-side-moldings/

You might try Trim-gard
http://www.trim-gard.com/view_category.asp?categoryID=2

You might try LMCtruck.com

Pre-Cut Side Molding Set
http://www.lmctruck.com/features/de/deml1.htm

This has some of the parts names
http://www.acautopartspr.com/auto-p...ngine/body-cat/exterior-trim-pick-up-box-scat

The Parts Catalog suggests this might be the molding kit number your looking for:

44115823 Moulding Package, Side Panel, Rear Lower. w/Insert, w/8 Foot box, without Dual Wheels
 
#8 ·
Ahh.. that's a dually short box.

Yep.. the trim package was different, paint job looks in good shape, well taken care of vehicle.

Basically though all the Trim is a huge double-sided tape "sticker" with rubber and chrome on it.

Replacing a single piece is probably harder than finding a new set of Trim or buying a "roll" and replacing "all of it".

You may find a Trim shop that happens to have leftover with the exact style you need.. but its unlikely.

More like than not, you will find something close and have to settle.. its less work than replacing it all.

It would be nice if thre were a "custom" Trim maker that could take a sample of your old Trim and replicate it, but I don't know of anyone who does that.
 
#9 ·
just to close the loop on this, I ended up finding a piece of trim off of an '89 Ramcharger that did the trick. It's about 1/2 inch too long but is otherwise spot on. I bet nobody would every know the difference (at least that's what I'm telling myself). I got it at a salvage place out of Houston. Not cheap - $170 for the piece. Oh, well. You pay to play!

Thanks for all the suggestions and help!

Chad
 
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