help with chopping my 29 coupe

I am charting out the 5" chop on my 29 coupe,normally i would go 4" but being a 29 they are a little bit higher. I want to retain as much rear window as possible. I know from doing tons of searches that I need to cut along the belt-line then come up near the end and back into the window. the part i cant quite visualize is under the window, do I cut that the total length then drop the whole thing down? im just having a mental block on this for some reason. any help with photos would be a big help. thanks

 

anyone?

 

thanks, you are correct it is my first chop, and im nervous as hell. but that being said, i have read and reread so many of the pros threads here that I dont feel like its new to me haha. i have done tons of projects in my time, just not a chop, so I need your guys guidance. thanks

 

A 5" chop will still leave you with a good size rear window. But if you must have a larger rear window, then leave the top of the rear window in its factory location, and move the bottom of the rear window downward.

The easiest way to accomplish this is to cut the bottom half of the window frame out of the car as you are chopping it. Cut the window right through the middle. You'll have to 'step' your cut upward from where you are cutting around the quarter window sections of the top. Also cut about an inch or so under the reveal around the back window, straight across, and up both sides of the lower half of the window reveal. This will seperate the lower half of the rear window section from the top.

Drop the top back down after removing the chosen amount (5") and tack everything in place. You can now place the cut-out lower half of the rear window section where you want it, and trim the excess from both the top and the rear window section to fit it back together. Personally I wouldn't want to add more than an inch or two to the height of the rear window compared to what it would have been with a straight 5" chop. Any more than that and it won't look proportionate.

Good luck!

 

Depending on the rear window size it is easier to cut through the window. but if you really want to retain as much rear window as you can, when you cut try to make the rear window the same as the door windows in size or just a little smaller. Most likely you will have to cut through and below the window to achieve what you want to do. It will be more work doing double cuts but should look good afterwards...John

p.s. check out member (primer31) thread ***led I get tierd of hearing about all the barn finds. on page 2

 

thanks B***, this is the info I was after. one more question tho, you state its not really necessary to deal with the window on a 5" chop, maybe Im over thinking it. what about a 6" chop? that is the look im after, but being 6' tall and wanting to channel the car 3" to cover the frame, I want to make sure im still going to be somewhat comfortable. now Im just rambling....thanks

 

Seating position will be critical.

I have a '29 coupe that is chopped 6", but it's a highboy on top of a '32 frame. I'm 6'0" tall also, and I fit just fine.

But in a 3" channelled car, you're going to have to sit nearly on the floor and lean back to not hit your head on the roof over big bumps. You can get away with 6" for sure, but 5" may be more comfortable with the 3" channel.

The car on the left is my '29...chopped 6" right through the middle of the back window. The car on the right is a '30 that is chopped I believe 8" with the bottom of the rear window moved down to enlarge it.



Maybe you should cut it 5" first and then set the roof back on to look at it and try sitting in it. It's not that hard to cut another inch off.

 

The tech part B*** covered pretty well. On my '29 coupe, I cut a 1" strip out from below the rear window. This effectively makes the rear window 1" less than the rest of the chop. Which is a good proportion. It also helps the overall look of a 28-9 coupe to remove this 1" strip. It kinda evens out the amount of metal below and above the window.

 

thanks B*** you have been alot of help. and your car is bad***. i hope mine comes out as nice

 

cornfed, i agree with you now that you bring that to my attention, i was only thinking of window size, but now you have given me something else to consider. thanks

 

oh and B***, i too have a fresh hemi waiting to be installed (53 331 with all the fixins)

 

I guess i should do a proper introduction with photos

 

Hemi A's rule. My '29 is getting a '55 Desoto 291.

 

i know its not a coup but > this was my 1st chop also . i went 4 1/2 and now i wish i would have left a larger back gl*** . there is no rear view out the back gl*** . i have no channel , but im very low . i also took out the upper hinge ( looks cooler, i think with no hinge on the door gl*** area) . are you hammer welding ? good luck brother , i measured for 3 months until the son in law came out to the garage and said , cut the ****ing thing !!!

 

here are some of a sedan I did. chopped 3 inches with a stock back window. I have more pics, just too lazy tonight.

 

Take a look at my build thread. We took 4" off the top and three out of the window (dropping it an inch). I think it helps balance the window proportions. Plus, it has a little more visibility.

 

brent i was totally studying your thread before you posted...man what a great build you have going. I was totally inspired

 

i have a 29 and did a 3 inch chop, my back window isnt very big. i wouldnt personly
go more than 4.

that said, any one got tips on chopping the window frame?? the screws in mine wont come out..

 

Chopped 6" Channeled 4"...It's pretty tight in there..