Maybe its too late in my lifetime, but I'm planning to get into older-type hotrods, as I've spent my time with musclecars and newer stuff. I've been lurking on here for some time and sometimes I have trouble understanding the terminology of some typical phrases used in modifying stock cars and trucks. "Chopping" I believe I understand, after that I get lost. Channeling, Z-ing, etc., mostly terms such as these are what lose me at the bakery. Any other terms and their definations would be greatly appreciated. I'm looking at an early 50s Chevy truck, and would like to do some modifications.
This is a great place to find out.I will start it out by saying that channeling is when you lower the body over the frame,so that the frame is usually unseen and up in the area normally occupied by the original floor position. I will let others lay out some more terms and definitions.
OK. 'Z'ing is when you cut the frame (front or rear suspension portion), then weld it top to bottom. In other words, the cut portion (front or rear, or both), is placed on top of the main, then welded together, thus lowering the whole drastically. Cosmo
I think that somewhere there is a definitive list of hotrod and custom car terms. I've seen a few over the years both in magazines and on the net. Here is a list from Coker which while not too bad is off the mark on a few things http://resources.coker.com/general-cl***ic-vehicle-information/terms/hot-rod-terms.html Such as the reference to Deuce being a 32 Ford roadster while a Deuce would actually be any 1932 Ford, such as Deuce Coupe, Deuce roadster or Deuce sedan. Some terms may be local to a region and not have the same meaning at all in another part of the country or with groups with different backgrounds. Just remember that on this board we "channel" a car or truck we don't do "a body drop" and you will be fine.
Never too late. Start now, having a car is only part of it, it's the people you meet and the friendships that make it worth something.
All those terms apply to making the car or truck lower, or at least look lower. Start with something easy, like the springs (reverse-eye leaf springs, or cut half a coil), then maybe dropped spindles. Lowering blocks can be just a piece of metal added between the rear axle and where it mounts to the frame. That may be enough to get it down where you want it. Chopping a top, or cutting and welding a frame is much more involved, and best left to experts, or at least someone with experience.
It is never too late to get into doing something that you are interested in. Learning new terms and ideas is one of the things that keeps us going. You'll find that people of all ages are interested in hot rods. They are more fun that you think they are. You won't be excluded due to your age either, don't ever worry about that. Geezers are welcome at rodding events, take it from me. Around here there are even a couple of clubs whose membership is made up almost exclusively of guys from age 50 on up.
Welcome Mountaineer! Ya might get a subscription to Rod & Custom, Rodders Journal, and etc. I cruse the news stand each month for the latest printed info. This site is the best!
Ill take sectioning... To remove a section of sheetmetal horizontally through the body to effectively lower the car. (imagine bringing the door handles closer to the rocker panels) Thankfully, your truck doesn't need any of that to be cool. well maybe shave it and drop it or bag it or.....
Bought this for the wife a while back, it's actually pretty interesting. You can get it through Amazon.com.
Hanging out here, You'll speak fluent "Hot Rod" in no time. There are lots of walking Hot Rod encyclopedias on here to learn from. Welcome. It's never too late.
every body has to start somewhere, most of us were not born knowing this stuff, most of us still have a long whay to go.
The Jalopy Journal
