As some of you may know or don't know, I am building a 51' Chevy truck. My question is this. How difficult is it to chop the roof on this truck ? And, is there anybody here in MD that can lend a hand ? I think this truck would look better chopped witht he stance I have her at.
That depends on a whole bunch of factors. How much do you want to chop it? Slanted posts or do you want to lengthen the roof? 5 window or 3 window? I chopped my 52 5 window 3", slanted posts with one helper in about 8 hours, from mark out to last weld. But it was nothing special, just a strait 3" all the way around, never touched the roof sheet metal. Slanted posts are easier to do than keeping the stock a pillar angle, but some people dont like the look. And the more you cut off, the more every thing has to move to line back up. Any more specific questions just ask.
Three(3) inches was what I was thinking. It's a standard cab 3 window. I just trying to get a "beiring" on this. So....all you did was merely cut the 3 inch section out, re-position the roof, tack weld, re-allign and secure ? I'm sure there's more to it than that, but in a nut shell am I kinda on the right track ? You mentioned slanted roofs. Are they easier ? or is a "level" roof easier ? Thanks for the insight. appreciate it.
Here's my short photo essay of the 3" chop I did on my '48. http://www.nucleus.com/~agingles/topchop.html
The best looking chops require the most work. Leaving pillars stock angle takes more work. Splitting the roof takes more work. leaving the vent window takes more work. As long as you have the skills and take the time, more work will produce a better result.
The Jalopy Journal
