the body was chopped when I got it. the guy did a relatively horrendous job. it seems to me that the only real solution is to cut out the slop and rework the chop. Im just worried that there may be too much out of the top when Im done. I just layed out the lines for the cuts, stood back, thought about it, and decided to post some pics before I start cutting to get some opinions. Its layed out to remove 2 inches now. I guess I could get away with only taking out 1 inch, but that would be cutting it close as far as getting rid of the **** that the last owner left. The last 2 pics are just to give you guys an idea of why i think this is necessary. thanks for the input....
Honestly, I've seen worse. WAY worse. Not saying that's good work by any means, but you should maybe consider getting out the cut-off wheel and just cut right down the middle of the **** welds and see what's left. That is unless you really want the top lower. I've seen worse get fixed. Not saying it's easy, but I think you could save the height with a little extra work if you desired keeping the height. If it were me I would probably just take an inch out and see where it sat. But I'm not a huge fan of super chopped Tudors. I personally like the 1/3 window, 2/3 lower look with Tudors. Just my opinion though. How tall are you?
I think youll be safe. Im with you, im not a fan of ridiculous chops, but with the style of it already, you're beyond safe. Go for it and keep us updated with pics!
WOW! That's going to be tight! Is that a full 4-inch channel?? What about when you go over a bump and put your head in the ceiling??
At your height, I'd suggest only 1 additional inch out. That will allow you to clean up the workmanship and keep the car a comfortable ride.
HAHA! Actually, what ARE you planning for a roof? Filled? Stock type cover/insert with bows? I have to say, I think I agree with Rich. You can ALWAYS go more if you really don't dig it. I kind of think it will look more proportional with 1" as well. Again though... not my car.
im thinking about going to the junkyard and cutting the roof skin out of a van. maybe the ribbed roof skin off a mini van or something? havent decided for sure, but its about time i did decide i guess.
well, i cut the top this morning. it looks great, thanks for the advice. lunch time...then the fun begins. ill post pics after its down.
Z the frame in the front and back so you will not need a big channel then you can do the 2” chop . you can get the look you what and still drive it without converting
I think it looks good with the current chop (sans the shoddy work), but the extra 2" won't look bad. I am curious about the car though. The chop isn't the worst I have seen, but it is pretty bad. Meanwhile, it looks like they made some panels for the inside of the car that look like pretty damn clean work. Have a couple people owned this car on its way to being finished? If that is the case, or even if not, I would put some serious time into inspecting the ch***is. You'll want to make sure that the same person that botched the top didn't do the same thing to the ch***is/ suspension/ brakes/ etc. I would just make sure it is going to be safe to go down the road before you worry too much. Also, the door gaps look pretty good, but this would be a good time to fix any problems with them. Check the body to make sure everything is square. If it isn't, when you cut the top will be the ideal time to fix it. -drZ
I like the pics Chevymike posted...car looks good now but I think it looks even better with the 2" taken out!! But I see you've already done the cut...crabs some popcorn and waits for the pics....
yeah, its all good....NOW. we bought basically frame rails and the body. all the panels on the inside we did and we did all the ch***is work (brakes, front/rear suspension, everything) yep, already cut it this morning, got it all trimmed in the right places and tacked back down, then got into the BEER. so it looks like the final tweaks/finish welds will have to wait till tomorrow. ill post photos then.
mine is worse than that. like "i got me a flux core welder and time to kill" worse. as in "I betcha that I can weld up them seams down the back of the cahr" worse. as in "this van roof dont fit fer ****. I'll just hammer it down and weld it up anyways" worse. patch panels? "we don't need no measurin stick. just stick 'em over the old one, scratch a line in the rust and cut it off" worse. "driprails? I gots me an idea. Ida Lou, fetch me that there stick of condooit I had left over from the sump pump. I'm gonna do me some fabricatin!" oh dear god. I find myself to be a reasonably intelligent mammal with opposable thumbs. there are days that I look at that body and ask myself..."even for 700 bucks, what the **** were You thinking? You cannot save them all, You complete dip****." Then there are days like today when I look at it and say "this thing is gonna be *****IN." I gotta re-chop mine too. I say 2 inches.
heres some updated photos of the chop. didnt cut the doors yet, but couldnt wait to post pics. i think 2" was the was to go. everything went really smooth.
What'd they do to make such a mess, hook up the power to the building one side to the body and the other side to some wires pulled out of a chain link fence and weld that way?
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