hahaha, snap-in makes it sound so easy. good luck, those are some mothers! Check out NPD and make sure 2 buy two sets if its your first time.

 

are the drip rails different for vinyl top vs non vinyl top roofs?

 

No the drip rails are the same.

 

Yup they are the same. If you've never replaced them before take your time when installing them though! They can easily be damaged and are not fun to do from what I've read.

 

Ford used a special trim piece that is supposed to snap in to cover the vinyl between the drip rail (gutter) and the main part of the roof.

The Drip rail mouldings are a different part

 

What do these special rails look like? Maybe that's why I had such a problem. As far as I know the rail molding was the same for standard and vinyl roofs. This is the first time I have ever heard of this special piece so I need a picture to be a beliver

 

The only thing that I have ever seen like that is a piece of flat aluminum stock that is pop riveted into the channel once the vinyl is on. I have never seen an extra trim piece. I have taken many a Mustang apart.

 

I like vynle tops on cars, but as someone mentioned earlier it only looks good on certain cars. Mustangs are good canidates for vynle tops because of the break in the roof line. They don't look as good on cars where the roof line flows into the body.
As for the drip rail replacement, yea I've heard it's a mother. Some guys I know have gotten rid of them completely for non vynle top cars.

 

I was told on another site that there is special trim that fits in beside the drip rail molding in the valley that is formed by the roof curvature.

Of all the cars with vinyl roof I have seen, this piece was not there just roof material that runs up and tucks under the drip rail molding.
Although I can see that the valley area would be a prime place for shrinkage and subsequent leakage thus a need for some kind of caulking or sealant.

I can't find any illustration or image of this area (and snap in part) in ANY of my hundreds of books.

 

Checkout NPD's catalog page 214 and you'll see the vinyl top material and the 'Molding Set, Vinyl Top Trim' which are sold in pairs. Order either the 65/66 or 67/68 moldings. Below those you'll see the mounting kit.. ask the sales guy if the trim comes with the mounting hardware as many items do. I bought the moldings but forget if the hardware was included or not with them.

Edit.. These go between the top of the quarters and the B post btw. They go from the bottom of the drip rail to the back of the B-post by the rear window. Hope this helps.