Chopping roof
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
Re: Help
Originally posted by 1972ford_f-100
Can anyone tell me how to chop the roof on my truck
in detail.
Can anyone tell me how to chop the roof on my truck
in detail.
I apologize if I assumed wrong. Issues like door alignment, shrinking door header rails, latch/hinge placements, door alignment problems, gaskets custom fit, custom windows, on and on, make it a real TOUGH project for a diy'er. Maybe some one else will post and have a more positive answer for you,
good luck
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 999
Likes: 1
From: Willamette Valley Oregon
<cr>
Greg is giving some good advise. It's a tough project and I doubt some simple written explaination is going to give you the skills needs. To compound the problem, each model is different. That means step-by-step instructions for a 57 Ford won't work for a 72 Ford.
If the cab were a box with vertical door posts, it would be a relatively simple project. Cut 4" out of each post and weld back together and then get your glass cut to size. Such is not the case though.
Everything involved has angles. When you cut out sections, nothing matches back together. That means everything must be reformed to fit.
Greg is giving some good advise. It's a tough project and I doubt some simple written explaination is going to give you the skills needs. To compound the problem, each model is different. That means step-by-step instructions for a 57 Ford won't work for a 72 Ford.
If the cab were a box with vertical door posts, it would be a relatively simple project. Cut 4" out of each post and weld back together and then get your glass cut to size. Such is not the case though.
Everything involved has angles. When you cut out sections, nothing matches back together. That means everything must be reformed to fit.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
I've only did one in my entire life !
but on a street rod not a truck !
The technique is as the other guys describe and can get complicated with a-pillar post angles.
My suggestion is to get Larry O'Tooles book "chopping tops"
Do a google search on the internet or amazon.com
To type the detailed instruction is like writing a book anyway.
Rich
but on a street rod not a truck !
The technique is as the other guys describe and can get complicated with a-pillar post angles.
My suggestion is to get Larry O'Tooles book "chopping tops"
Do a google search on the internet or amazon.com
To type the detailed instruction is like writing a book anyway.
Rich
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
'Classic Trucks' Dec 03, and Jan.04 has two-part article on chopping 65/66 f100. Article also provided some references that may be helpful.
May want to run search. Topic brought up in the 61-66 forum.
Anyhow, not sure if much help
Good luck,
dave
May want to run search. Topic brought up in the 61-66 forum.
Anyhow, not sure if much help
Good luck,
dave
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: indiana
i chopped my 53 and had no idea what i was doing. i bought the
truck to learn on so i learned. i had no measurements and no
plans i just started cutting. i couldnt even tell you how many
inches i cut out. i got lucky everything turned out fine and
i have my glass cut correct. i will never chop a top again
as long as i live. i would be driving my truck by now. instead
its still in primer and not running. good luck
truck to learn on so i learned. i had no measurements and no
plans i just started cutting. i couldnt even tell you how many
inches i cut out. i got lucky everything turned out fine and
i have my glass cut correct. i will never chop a top again
as long as i live. i would be driving my truck by now. instead
its still in primer and not running. good luck
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 0
From: La Tech University, La
I could show you what to do, but cannot really describe it on paper, as previously sted there is a lot more cutting and fab work then you would think due to all the angles involved.
Just out of curiosity? Are the rear post at a 90 deg angle relative to a horicontal line (relative to body lines) from the front bottom corner of the A pillars? If so it makes things a bt easier, also both the A pillars and rear post, do they change thickness as they go up the cab? or are they the same thickness from the body to the roof?
Just out of curiosity? Are the rear post at a 90 deg angle relative to a horicontal line (relative to body lines) from the front bottom corner of the A pillars? If so it makes things a bt easier, also both the A pillars and rear post, do they change thickness as they go up the cab? or are they the same thickness from the body to the roof?
New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Im doing this right now to my 67 f100 sb and its measure 10 times cut once procedure! NO joke I've got 50 hrs into chopping the top so far about 5 to 8 more to go. See you have to split the top into four sections to drop the top so that it will line up right, or you can lean the front post in. Ive done all this with the help of this url once your there go to Current Projects Then too: 67 c10 kustom page. It a (chevy )words we don't use around here. www.hotrodsbyhg.com But when you do it and do it right there is nothing like it!
Last edited by Beast67; Jan 11, 2004 at 09:51 PM.
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