Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

And back down on its wheels. Looks like one of those drag cars when they move the rear wheels forward :lol:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

AWESOME!!!!!!
makes me want to start cutting , better get a plan 1st
how long did you sit and stare and invision this before you cut ?

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Time to lose 20 inches...
I made my cut lines on the inside of the roof because I was able to use one of the roof support members as a guide.

I wanted to make the cut as far forward as possible, but also wanted to keep it slightly back from the C-pillar to ease future bodywork/sanding. On the inside I noticed the factory 3-point seatbelt mounts and decided to make the forward cut just behind those. The rear is 20" behind that.

You can see here that I cut some wood scraps to use as a guide for the sharpie with the roof member as the fence:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

After making the cuts from the inside I move to the outside and figured out where to cut based on the previous cuts:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

...and there she goes:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

That thing is heavier than you'd expect; 50-60lbs I think.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Thanks, over a year at least!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

And the last remaining metal holding the back on.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

I cut this side at an angle so I could lose the spare tire "dish" completely:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Last shots before separation:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

...and separation complete. The rear section didn't even move one bit when it came apart. The cherry-picker and jack stands did there job beautifully.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178567653

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

I have to admit I was tempted to drive it around the block like that :lol: But there was no gas tank in it:o

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

I went ahead and POR 15'ed everything I could access at that point including all in behind the tail lights and even up the D-pillar.

Then I put her back together:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

The roof didn't match up as I expected, but it should just take a couple longitudinal relief cuts:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

These didn't match up either, of coarse, but a little tweaking of the inner panels got it:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

That's like the most amazing thing I've ever seen! I wish I had half the talent it would take to do that! And you're updating like every 10 mintes, with what seems like giant progress! You're the man!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Here's how it sits today. It still needs the roof done, third door finished, rear floor covered, complete all body welding (its all just tacked right now), and all that fun bodywork... But I've driven it :) and I'm very happy with the results. The rear needs to come back down and I think there may be some 20's in the near future ;)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178570041

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Before:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178571249

Photochop:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178571303

Real thing:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1178571355

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

you are TALENTED beyond belief....

what othe vehicles have you done- err,.. REDONE ??
THANKS for sharing..
-41-

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Man, the "real thing" looks better than the Photoshop. That is great. I like it. .......................Bamm!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

I'll say it again, just incredible!!!!! Do you plan on leaving the trim on? I hope so, I think that will help maintain the "factory" look. Keep them pictures coming!!!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Well, this one's been on hold for a while, but I had to get the Tahoe done because I'm going to start again on this -> http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=179289
Thanks guys!

I do plan to keep all the trim and the roof rack. The roof rack will be shortened just like the photochop. The upper trim will be easy, but the lower will get tricky. Should be able to use lower rear pieces off a SWB truck, but the strips in front of the rear tires will have to be custom or modify mine.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

very cool, I agree that the real thing looks even better than the Photochop.... How long did that take?

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Where are the picts? Am I missing something???

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

absolutly bad ass. I can't belive how fast you ripped through that burb. The look is right on the money. Stock trim should complete the phantom vibe well. You got more done in a couple of days than most can accomplish is a couple of years. What's the secret? do you have a starbucks iv line or a never ending supply of red bull? All I know is to duplicate that type of quick progress all that caffeine would have my cut lines as squiggly as a river drawn on a map.

Keep it up!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

FF, I made a spare for you ;)

Looks great. Any plans to get the roof line at the right height (maybe -2")??

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Very well done! Now just add in that 4th door so I can show the wife the new kid hauler:metal:

Kevin
LFD inc.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

So if I drop one of mine off for the weekend how much would you charge to get it right where yours is at ? :)

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Looks incredible.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

I think you should chop it now:metal:

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Wife to Mike: Honey that looks so sweet. Now that you have wasted all morning on it, you need to mow the lawn, take out the trash, trim the bushes clean the gutters. etc.:lol: :lol: :lol:Awsome work:gi:

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

you, my friend, are a rock star!

awesome work here, and huge balls to take on a project in a 2-3 week timeframe.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

:jdp: Oh My God!!!!:jdp:
That's absolutely INCREDIBLE!!!! I may have to drive to Oregon just to check this beast out, in person.
Keep up the great work; I can't wait to see the "Tah-old" done.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Dude! I live in Oregon! Awesome...

So... Are you like a super body man for a living? Or you just do your own stuff?

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Yeh :confused:

Also what are you using to make you sheetmetal cuts??? - they look very clean and straight - do you use a fence like a block of wood clamped to the long sections of metal like the roof and wheel well cut-outs?

Looks Awesome - not sure I would have the guts to do it to a Burb that clean though.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Thanks, 19 days to get it to this point. Obviously there's still a lot of work to do, but this is my driver:hm: :lol: (seriously).

Firewall at work :confused: Hopefully you can see them from another computer.
It took three weeks of every spare moment. Though I did also have work, three kids for 1/2 the week, and got a piece of metal in my cornea during the process that killed a couple days :rolleyes: Funny thing is I just completely quit all caffeine intake just before starting this project... Maybe that's the secret;)

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

:lol: :lol: :lol:
For now I'll just make the roof match up and see how it looks. I'm going for a clean "stock" looking body, but dropped and on 20's all around.

When can I drop it off for the 4th door install?;) I was tempted to tackle that, and I would have referenced your crew cab build for sure, but the short timeline had no room for it. I know my limits:)
:lol: I'd love to do another one. It'd probably take less time and turn out better!
Thanks guys

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

im still absolutely bedfuddled at how quick you did that, you make this stuff look way too easy. that is awesome.....

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Those look cool.
Not married (maybe that's part of the formula :lol: ) But I do have an awesome girlfriend who picked up all the slack while I was buried in this project :metal: to her
Ya, I knew it was aggressive but had to go for it if I wanted to get it done.
Let me know when you want to come by. I always enjoy meeting board members.
It just a hobby.
Thanks man. Angle grinder with cut-off wheels. Just following a tape line.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

I think all of us Oregon guys gotta go see this.
Man.. great work! BBQ at Mikes house!

Brian

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

looks good. very nice

jeff

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Mild chop + trim...

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

FF, after you get done with my Suburban Tahoe chop (note to self... need to get a Suburban first), you ought to get rid of the C-pillar and the fixed window. On the driver's side, just go large window from B-pillar to rear. On the passenger side, do a frameless glass on the door so it looks like it's one piece to the rear of the truck as well.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Heck if he does that he might as weld up the 3rd door, give the b-pillar a forward slant and call it a NOMAD.

That's another phantom idea as I love Nomads and can't afford one as the prices keep climbing....

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Maybe, I have not ever had problems seeing picts before? Is it the blue one XXL posted a pict of? I'd love to see it, can someone copy and paste it into a post? I might be able to see it then!? I am feeling way left out!?