So, A little over a year ago, I was driving the ol buck nasty home late at night. A few blocks away from home I heard a loud grindy crunchy sound after going over a rough section of road. A common occurrence here in Vegas (thank you Las Vegas Paving). Next thing I know, the temp gauge is pegged and she's steaming like an old locomotive. I limped her home (drove normally), popped the hood, and to my dismay, the fan and the radiator got married. The next day, I pulled the radiator to ***ess the damages. Near as I could tell, the ch***is flexed enough to send the fan into the aftermarket, oversized, brand new radiator. I wasn't surprised, considering she was riding on cut springs and 65 yr old dry rotted bump stops for suspension. This, on top of all other issues I had been neglecting for 3 years just so I could drive it, made me realize it was time for an overhaul of the drivetrain. yay. Sorry, this is long winded, I'll get to the point. While she was sick in the barn, ideas of the chop started to form. I did lots of searching, reading, you tubing, etc. I couldn't find a damn thing on anyone else who chopped my car before, lots of 2 doors, no 4 tho. Yes, I know. "why waste your time on a 4 door". Because Im not building a cookie cutter car that you see 20 of at all the shows. I found a lot of nay sayers, especially when it came to keeping the stock 3 piece rear window (impossible?).. All in all, mostly negative about chopping a buick 4 door in general, which only fueled the fire more. And so it began. To sum it all up. Radiator blew, so I chopped the top. I'm about a year in now, took several months off out of disgust, and am now back at it full force. With little to no funds, an ****nal of harbor freight tools, and zero experience chopping a roof, she's coming along nicely and I'm planning to have her on the road by summers end. Fingers crossed. I thought I'd post this to help anyone who's on the fence of which way to go make a decision. It's a lot of work and frustration, but i don't regret taking the blade to her. I'll get some pics going and see where this goes.
Yes nice they said that about my 2006 Chrysler 300 in 2007 too. I didn't do it myself but am going to try my hand at a 62 ford galaxie and suicide the doors . I be watching and listen to updates cause winter it happens Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk
The tear down, I don't think I landed on chopping it yet at this point. This was all April of last year. I tried finding s**** steel on different job sites, finally broke down and spent $ on new. I'm posting these waiting for my kids at the dentist, so I'm kinda slow, bare with me.
Yes. I only have a high and low setting on the little guy. As i put the roof back together, i noticed it burned a little too hot. I was going to put a rheostat on it, but instead, ran it thru a couple long extension cords. That seemed to do the trick.
This... This whole section proved to be a real pain in the ***. I'm adamant on keeping the stock rear gl*** uncut. I know, I create my own problems
I read different ideas on how to suspend the roof. I ended up using bike hanging hooks and tie down straps. Good ol harbor freight! Since this entire operation is being performed solo, the straps worked out perfect. It was about this point I decided the top of the b pillars were going away. Along with all side gl***. Kinda cheating, but I like the idea of smooth shaved door sills. No window pinch on the soft part of your arm when you're trying to look cool.
How much did you shrink the rear of the roof to lay that window down Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk
Not much taper in that Buick? It's looking fantastic and all original gl*** your keep ? Just cause they said no lol Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk
Hahaa, yeah, just in the back tho. Windshields getting cut. Not sure how I'm going to go about that yet.
Lexicon? Do you have a curved wind screen? It shouldn't be hard to find a good gl*** cutting fella to keep the original but I don't think it will be cheap. I got a wrap wind screen I would never be able to get a new one Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk
Its curved. I was gonna practice on the original to see if i can do it. Its cracked already so who cares. I've read about sandblasting. Might try that. Whatevers cheapest, im poor people. Hahaa
I hear ya man I built my alternator bracket from threaded and steel I picked up on construction sites I was working at not pretty but works Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk
The Suburban in the background provided the material for the section between the trunk and window. I cut that roof off completely, like a 4 door k5. F it, steel is steel.
So a month ago I got back at it full force.. Decided to ditch the front suspension all together. Came across a 1990's chevy 1/2 ton front end on Craigslist for 100 bucks. I didn't think it would work out, but I figured for 100 why not at least look. Showed up with my tape measure and sawzall, measured it all out. Damn near an exact fit. So chop chop, and stuffed it in the back of the ol burb. I really wished I still had the Suburban i hacked the roof off of that day..
Love it! Just goes to show you all you have to have is the desire to do it. All the fancy tools are great to have but innovation will get you there. Keep at it. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
As anticipated, the stock ride height on a chevy pickup is a little high. Im not gonna lie, I kinda like it. Disc brakes, power steering, working suspension.. I'm not gonna know what to do
Those little **** clamps are the business. I wish I had those when I did the roof.. Live and learn. Harbor Freight, 8 of em for $8. They sure are getting some free publicity from me, they oughta send me some coupons! Wait.. They do.. Anyway, how she sits as of last night. I'll post future progress as its made. I'm really fired up on it now and would like to have her on the road in a few months. Hopefully this helps someone out with ideas. Don't let the nay sayers get you down. This is my first attempt at a chop, I've done some welding before, but by no means consider myself a fabricator. I'm learning a lot as I go. Most importantly, if you're not feeling it or not in the mood, do not touch it. Do not rush it. If its not working, walk away and come back to it later. I'm bouncing back and forth between other things on it so as not to burn out.. I'm doing everything by myself and that may be best, im stubborn and argumentative. If someone said I have no choice but to keep the rear gl***, there would be a baseball bat through it. Well, back to work!
Yeah. I was being a little girl about it at first, wanting an English wheel, nicer welder, etc. I pulled my head out of my *** and realized that's not in my reach. I want it done, so I'm getting it done with what I have.
The Jalopy Journal
