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I'm really interested in chopping my 52 f3 wondering if anyone has done a 52 before, I'm wondering where to pull my measurements from and what will I need to do the chop? I've done lots of reading but do I actually need a extra cab to make the roof fit and the doors, I've seen guys use parts of the pilar for the door but any advise and pictures would be great thanks
Most guys who chop tops correctly find having an extra roof section from a donor cab helpful in fitting the parts back together. As you lower the top, the top area becomes larger, both front/back and sideways, and you need to be able to use pieces from the donor to section in the gaps. Alternatively, you could "pinch" the posts together to take up the space, but that creates odd and unattractive aesthetics, and makes the doors a lot harder to fit. Speaking of doors, you'll have the same issues in the window areas, as well, and donor doors are helpful, too.
Top chopping is an advanced fabrication project. If you don't have good fab skills, I would suggest seeking out local, professional advice. It's the kind of project that can go horribly wrong, very quickly, and turn into a big pile of scrap if you're not careful.
This is an ambitious undertaking and from the nature of your questions I would have to assume that you do not have a lot of experience in this area. My suggestion to you is to find a copy of Ron Covell's excellent DVD video on "Chopping and Sectioning". In this video you will learn from the master all that you need to do to complete this job properly. Good luck...
I to am a bit skeptic on chopping a 52, I do chop tops often but it has to be done very carefully or it will look.... wrong! some trucks don't need it, others do like the late 40's I-H trucks they all need chopped & redesigned! But I did mine in a reverse fashion, I'm a long time body metal man and a re designer of a lot of things, note the chopped fox body mustang, So I studied this I-H truck and decided it needed a reverse pancake slant chop! of 4 inches (ever hear of that? well that's what i did) and the look was outstanding! along with extending the cab 2 inches, basically flattened the top of the cab roof line and pushed the back of the cab rearward this made the windshield post slant rearward as well giving a more stream lined look! A lot of geometry going on here that you don't even think of so be ready for some head scratching, stuff they did cover in school!
I did this as a weekend workshop and the guys all had a great time learned a lot and got in some good practice time with some cutting & welding. Also We pancaking the hood 3 inches, nipped and tucked the frt fenders 3 inches per- side, expanded the rear window opening 18 inches also helped, the new look is just what the old truck needed.
So what I'm saying is metal cutting and moving lines around just a little can greatly change the look you just gotta make sure it's what you want and can do! I alway try this first with pictures and a razor blade (7th grade art class stuff) if I can get it to look good in a chopped up modified picture I can do it in metal! I have this I-H project on DVD that might help you with your thoughts?
Auto Doug, I thought when you said late 40s you meant L-series. I'm glad you included pics to help clarify. I have yet to see an L/R/S-series with a chop and am now curious as to weather it would be a good look or not. That KB is a great looking chop too.
I have no experience with chopping, so I can't help explain anything. But I do agree the 48-52 cabs are best left as is.
No, In one of the pictures I did change out my old roof due to my original having some bad dents. I have friends that have done chops on the F1's and the amount you take out will determine if you have to add or subtract roof material.
