Dare to be different & leave it stock. If I am lucky enough to find another one I won't chop it either
Search for the Chuck Porter truck, it has a few of these mods. I think 4.5" inch chop is max. I was going to channel mine,but there a lil tight inside, but there like a shoebox, they BEG to be customized. I love cutting up a farm truck. Had a chopped 52 that I chopped in 82 as a Junior in High school runnin BBFord. It was fun.
I prefer unchopped trucks. It usually screws up the proportions of the truck and makes them look squatty, or like frogs. There's alot of nicely done chopped trucks, but the best looking ones IMHO are the ones that only got a slight haircut under 2.5" or so. When I see a chopped pickup, I usually walk right past it and dont give it a second look. Maybe I'm a snob, but that's just me. I vote NAY on the chop. Let the factory lines, proper stance, and the right wheel/tire combo do the talking.
Here is a old pic of Old Beet (my dad) and me drag racing in 83. He still has his 51 in the foreground. I on my 4th or 5th. His is chopped 4" and mine was 3". This is the one I did In high school.
very minimal chop most people deont get the proportions right and they look lame, if you chop you have to lower it as well or i think it looks goofy, my first pickup when i was 16 was a 51 and i lowered it the cheep way removeing springs and reversing the eyes it looked good but rode like ****, now they have bolt on susp, that rides *****in and i also chopped it 2 inches and it looked great, at least it did to me, good luck either way you go, 48-52 are my favorite body style for ford trucks!!
3" or less seems perfect. I'd also say save the drip rails too. If you chop and drop I wouldn't go too far on either. Old trucks that "lay frame" look like a project in someone's garage that they may get to some day. Silly IMO. It's not an S-10 or Ranger, it's an old truck. Leaving the sheetmetal stock is for restoration guys. I'd lop the roof off in a heartbeat. b-bob's looks perfect. Great proportions and lowered just right. Each mod works with the other. Is that a sawzall I see you reachin for? Bravo!!
These trucks are sick guys...Question, What wheel/tire/backspacing combos are you running and are you on bags or dropped axles? Thanks Brad
Floyds 57 is one cool looking truck. The ones I have done I also laid back the windshield.Saves cutting all the way across the roof and looks better. Nice job Floyd!
NOT. I read an excellent article years ago, that said the roof should be 1/3 of the height of the vehicle. On an F-1, you already have that proportion when it's stock.
are the front fenders interchangable from yr too yr and basically is the whole nose parts the same....im looking at a 52 but i like the older grilles
That's what I was thinking. Give it a good whack, and lay back the windshield. The chopped COE is GREAT, now section 4" out of the body through the hood...
Mine's (green one) bagged and the pics show it dropped, the tyres are radials, I know I shouldn't, but it's my daily so needs to be drivable on our ****ty narrow roads. Not sure of the back space, just used what I had and set the track to suit.
Thanks Nutrocker, your truck is ***s...No leads on the bullets here from Ohio as they are a hot commodity across the pond as well. You sometimes find them on evilBay, but junkyards sometimes are best if you can find another truck that hasnt been picked over.
I wouldn't chop it. A small chop looks okay but I like the stock top. Too much chop makes a pick up box and body seem too tall to me. I just picked up a 55 and I'm leaving it alone....the fact I'm 6' 4" has something to do with that as well.
its a tuff one in that im getting two trucks,,one stock and one 4 1/2 chop, but nobody works on more then one ride at a time!!!...my idea was too use up a 348 trripower or a cross ram nailhead,,,now heres the rub, one comes wt a flatty and the other has a 351w so i still have the extra motor deal going on,,,,also will the fenders fit both trucks ,,i see on egay 49 50 and then 51 52 is it for a differant grille surround or more then that,,since i like the early flat bar grille...what is aa good snout to use or im i better wt a straight rail nose,,,,,back too square one and below
Not chopped -- the proportions aren't right, and the slope of the front pillar makes it very tough to pull off.
I was going to say no till I saw this! You can't make the proportions any better than this in my opinion!
These trucks don't need to be chopped but if you must, keep it to a minimum. Too many are over chopped.
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