Hot Rods Chopped closed cab model a

Hey guys and gals trying to get some inspiration for my build, got me a 29 pickup and I'm building a traditional style hot rod but don't care for that east coast tall top look, I want a mild chop I'm 6 feet tall so can't go to low, help me out please! What's the best chop and how do I go about doing it?

 

Mock up a seat and some pedals and steering wheel, then sit in it. The only way you’ll know.

 

I say give it a Bonneville chop and drive with your head above the roof... don't forget your leather helmet and goggles

 

I'll put my seat in it and mock up a steering column tomorrow and measure my head room!

 

Since you’re tall and these trucks are short, don’t be fooled that lowering the seat will give you more room. Doesn’t work like that. Might gain some room by thinning the seat back, but leave the base in place.

 

I'm 6'2" and have one I'm building. The chop kills the proportions (in my opinion), but that's not the question. You run out of room real quick; never mind if you need a recessed firewall... I would say that the amount of chop will equate to the distance you will be able to drive it comfortably.

 

Be really careful you don't chop it too much.
-A pickups are really tight.
-Lowering the seat puts your butt closer to the pedals, thus reducing your leg room.
-Plus there's no room to recline the seat; your back is vertical, which is uncomfortable on long trips.
-Finally, if your chassis has any rake, that will further reduce your vision out the windshield.
Hope this helps.

 

Mock up will only get you close. Before you get excited and actually start cutting you really ought to build your chassis, get pedals mounted, steering column hung, and seat made.
My A pickup is very tight and it is not chopped, not channelled, and doesn't have a recessed firewall. I'm 6-1 and can I only handle about an hour at a time driving before I need to get out and stretch.

 

Really good point about the rake affecting visibility!

 

I really like the 28-29 closed cab pickups and roadster pickups. I am building a roadster pickup with a stretched cab because I'm 6'2" and if I don't fit comfortably in it then I won't drive it. I've sat in closed cabs with the seat and pedals done various ways for more room and they're all too small for me.

 

There it is

 

Although mine is a ‘30 model & is a different ball game it may give you an idea, it is chopped 2 & 1/2 inches.

 

I like 'em stock roof height myself.

 

We already did this only a month ago.......
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/chopping-a-29-ford-pickup.1324671/#post-15389121

 

You can buy extended 28-29 cab corners and rework the top wood to give a better profile. These corners are 6-1/2" longer than stock

 

Full fendered 28-29 closed cab pickups with a good stance are just the best.

 

Chopping screws up the proportions. There are cabs that look better after a chop but the 28-29 pu cabs aren't one of them. The black one flatpete shows is a textbook of how to build a 28-29. Check out the 28-29 pickup Jack Linden from Prescott AZ built a few years ago. It says it all. Leave the sheet metal stock and slam them on the ground. Just thought of another, windshield wiper Bob from Newport Engineering has been driving a stock bodied/slammed 28-29 for decades. It's powered by a Chevy II 4 cylinder. A couple years ago he made the trip to the LARS pulling his gennie teardrop camping trailer. I've done several slammed customer chassis for 28-29 trucks using the 4.3 V6, plenty of power and they fit between the stock firewall and radiator under a stock hood. Good luck.

 

The '28-29 CCPU just doesn't lend itself well to being chopped. Any chop has to be a very subtle one to work well. Super easy to screw up the proportions as @krylon32 notes.

 

Case in point:
@Jersey Suede 's CCP.

 

Thanks, now my keyboard is covered in drool.

 

Found more recent pics of it.

Something might be wrong with me. It looks great with paint but I absolutely love it in the photo you shared.

Why The Jersey Suede Can’t Get No Lovin’ This Year | Page 6 | The H.A.M.B.

 

I'd like to do a 28-29 pickup with just the above windshield header panel removed and corresponding amounts of the door frames and back of cab.

I have not been able to talk @ClarkH into it.

 

I'm considering leaving it unchopped I put the seat in it today and sit in it, it's pretty close as it!

 

Sweet

 

It will definitely have a rake, considering leaving it un cut the more I look at it the more it grows on me

 

there is one on this thread, (1st pic and 5th pic), but I don’t know how tall the owner is……..
May be inspiration for you.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/rocket-open-day-hamilton-new-zealand-12-12-15.1001609/

 

That type of subtle modification is what was done to the truck we were discussing in the 3 posts directly before yours.

 

Short people got no reason…

…not to chop their A. Everybody else should leave them tall.

 

Make the top of the door glass even with the top of the windshield glass.

 

There's a good boy. Look at it a little bit more, until that urge to chop it goes completely away .....
These trucks look way better tall.