Any one Chop there Top???

[Peter82]

I want to chop my top 3" or 4". i dont know where to start or what i should look out for. ANY one go through this befor? Why or Why Not to do this??? This is what i want to cut apart. You might have seen these pics befor but thanks.

[72armyswbtruck]

There is one clsoe to where I live I will try and get some pics. Didn't have my camera last time I drove by the sub division.

[ChevyDude]

You will find most on this board are NOT fans of the chop top club. Lots of reasons for this. There are a few that like the chop, but not very many.

[Shane]

no offense, but ya might want to address the rust in the doors, rockers and cab corners before cutting the top

[N2TRUX]

If you have to ask, then you probably shouldn't consider doing it yourself. As Shane mentioned, you might consider starting with simple panel replacement, then decide if you want to cut your roof in to a few pieces and see if you can get it back together.

[724x4a/cchevy]

Personally i just dont think its a good look. then again neither was this grill change

[LockDoc]

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Myself, I like a moderately chopped top. To me a well lowered or slammed truck looks odd (out of proportion) with a stock top. I think a 3" chop would be max for me with 2" or 2 1/2" being ideal. I've got a cab that I got with a package deal that is chopped 5" and I definately think it is too much. Some people think that a 2" chop isn't worth the trouble but you'd be suprised how much difference it makes. If I was you I would not try this without some help if you are not experienced in metal work and welding.
Here are a couple of links to threads on the subject:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...highlight=chop

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...highlight=chop

I think the main reason that some people don't like chopped trucks is because most people that do it get carried away with the amount taken out, and it makes a radical change in the looks of the truck. To me a chopped top works when people know there is something different about a truck and they think it looks good, but they can't quite figure out what is different.

I also agree with the other guys that all other rust problems need to be taken care of first because you want the truck as solid as possible before you start cutting on the top.

Just my 2¢ worth

LockDoc

[Peter82]

Originally Posted by Shane

no offense, but ya might want to address the rust in the doors, rockers and cab corners before cutting the top

Just to put everyone's minds to rest. I am not chopping the top untill next spring and before this winter i will be fixing the doors and cab floor... My idea is to 1) fix the doors and cab floor. 2) this spring, have a shop chop the top and put Lambo doors on it. 3) have the the hole thing gutted and sand blasted. 4) have the frame, bed and cab powder coated. 5) while all the body stuff is getting done... tear the engin apart and polish and paint everything. 6) put it back together and tear up the town. AND yes this will be a daily driver when its finished. i want all the girls to see the killer doors...

Now i think 2" or 2 1/2" will be just fine. i dont want anything too short. I know a lot of people like to keep stuff stock but i love to make stuff mine.

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by Peter82

chop the top and put Lambo doors on it...

Believe me when I say I can't leave anything stock either and I'm all about making it the way I want it... But I think you'll find very few fans of those mods (even of the female species).

But do what YOU want. Who knows, you may just prove everyone wrong...

[72BlckButy]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Believe me when I say I can't leave anything stock either and I'm all about making it the way I want it... But I think you'll find very few fans of those mods (even of the female species).

But do what YOU want. Who knows, you may just prove everyone wrong...

I'm with Frizzle... custom/stock, it all up to the owner, but lambo doors and a chopped top would give me the WTF face, but hey good luck on the build. With the chopped top the doors be that much higher in the air.

Each to his own...

[LockDoc]

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Here are some pshop cuts on it, The first one is the width of the door frame and they progress from there. Keep in mind I'm not a pshop guru so don't expect too much....

LockDoc

[sneakysnake]

Ah dont let them scare you! It is laborsum, costly and not everybody likes it but thats what makes America great.Heres a link to give you an idea on whats involved(not mine). There are several methods to cutting and quartering the roof,
to not and leaning the posts. So do a little research get stuff lined out before you just go to hacking.
http://www.hotrodsbyhg.com/current_p...c10_kustom.htm

[Peter82]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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Here are some pshop cuts on it, The first one is the width of the door frame and they progress from there. Keep in mind I'm not a pshop guru so don't expect too much....

LockDoc

Leon... THANKS MAN. good looking out. i like the 3rd pic but i might go for something like the 2nd. i am going to save your pics.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Peter82

Leon... THANKS MAN. good looking out. i like the 3rd pic but i might go for something like the 2nd. i am going to save your pics.

No problem. That gives a guy an idea what it would look like.

LockDoc

[FELON'S]

I say chop the whole top...Trim the roof down 3"...Then put it on when it rains... Then again it prolly rains more than shines in the O.H.

[action]

Never happen.
Jack

[RicksTrucks]

chopped 71 has a nice one that I have seen in person. Might PM him and get more pics and his advice. He said he probably wouldn't do it again.

Here is a link some pics of his in it.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=179954

[special-K]

I saw your thread heading and thought,"Oh boy,here we go".Especially since I just posted a rant in the last thread I read about the herd mentallity of making mostly negative comments on super nice trucks that may not be exactly to or liking.The biggest cut was on the chop top.I don`t chop mine,but you sure can.I don`t see your questions as asking if you should do it or if it`s a good idea.I interpreted it to be a request for tips or to see others.
But,just one thing...DON`T GO HACKING UP A PERFECTLY RUST CAB!!!!

[lofly'a]

i saw a chop of sorts on a 68 in an issue of classic trucks a few years back, where they laid the windshield back 3", and i really liked it. i especially like the fact that the vent windows disappear with out hinge clearance issues, the stock windshield can be used, and there was no need to section the roof to get it to fit. the only thing that has to be custom fabbed is the side glass and seals which vintage glass says they can make with a pattern. i plan on doing it to my 68 project. it looked (from the pictures) that the untrained eye probably would'nt catch it.

[Frizzle Fry]

How do you lay the windshield back 3" without sectioning the roof?

[lofly'a]

the windshield was cut off just past the top about 2 inches, the b-pillar was cut below the back glass and all the way across. the meat was removed from below the back glass, and off the front of the roof. i don't have the article with me, (at work) but i remember that the b-pillars were reshaped. i can get more info when i get home if you wanna know more. they did some more tweeking at the windshield.
i know this is not the way we should think, but i have 3 cabs to get it right .

[sneakysnake]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

How do you lay the windshield back 3" without sectioning the roof?

Here is how it looks, You make up the 2.5 to 3 in. by laying the windshield posts back to meet the roof.I never cared for this look, and I like a lot .LOL

[jorgensensc]

Looks like they may have stretched the doors a little in that top pic also.

[glock35ipsc]

That thing looks like it was in a roll over accident.......

[LockDoc]

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I forgot to mention in my other post that I am not a fan of laid back posts and I think that is what turns some people off on the chopped tops because it also radically changes the looks of the truck. The main reason it's done is because of the things mentioned in "lofly'a's" post.

LocDoc