Rub Rail Replacement

[TRRANGER]

Hey Wrench, or anyone else with knowledge on the subject. On an 87 Ranger 360 V do the rub rails attach with rivets or screws? Mine is shedding "rope fibers" and not looking good. How labor intensive is it to replace them? Any tips or if I was doing this job advise would be greatly appreciated. Can you just replace the "rope" with out pulling the entire rail? Thanks

[fishinwrench]

If you just need to replace the rope take the 2 back caps off....

These

and start pulling all the rope off.  

 

If the rope isn't totally wasted you can wash it off real good, singe the frayed spots with a cigarette lighter, and put it back in.   Or get new rope.

To reinstall..... Attach one side, twist the rope up as tight as you can (to reduce its diameter), in 2-3' sections, and start tapping it back into the groove with a clean rubber mallet.   Do that all the way around to the other securing cap BUT DON'T CUT THE ROPE.     After it sets awhile the rope will untwist.  Once it is done relaxing THEN you can cut the rope, singe the ends, and reattach the other securing cap.  

[TRRANGER]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

If you just need to replace the rope take the 2 back caps off....

These

and start pulling all the rope off.  

 

If the rope isn't totally wasted you can wash it off real good, singe the frayed spots with a cigarette lighter, and put it back in.   Or get new rope.

To reinstall..... Attach one side, twist the rope up as tight as you can (to reduce its diameter), in 2-3' sections, and start tapping it back into the groove with a clean rubber mallet.   Do that all the way around to the other securing cap BUT DON'T CUT THE ROPE.     After it sets awhile the rope will untwist.  Once it is done relaxing THEN you can cut the rope, singe the ends, and reattach the other securing cap.  

Awesome thanks. 

[Ketchup]

On 3/10/2021 at 1:24 PM, fishinwrench said:

If you just need to replace the rope take the 2 back caps off....

These

and start pulling all the rope off.  

 

If the rope isn't totally wasted you can wash it off real good, singe the frayed spots with a cigarette lighter, and put it back in.   Or get new rope.

To reinstall..... Attach one side, twist the rope up as tight as you can (to reduce its diameter), in 2-3' sections, and start tapping it back into the groove with a clean rubber mallet.   Do that all the way around to the other securing cap BUT DON'T CUT THE ROPE.     After it sets awhile the rope will untwist.  Once it is done relaxing THEN you can cut the rope, singe the ends, and reattach the other securing cap.  

You’re an OMC mechanic, not a rope twister. 

[fshndoug]

Wrench is as twisted as they come or Go!

[fishinwrench]

9 hours ago, Ketchup said:

You’re an OMC mechanic, not a rope twister. 

I get paid Outboard tech rates....But I'll gladly twist rope instead of twist wrenches.  😊