Top Choppin
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 0
From: Northwestern PA
Top Choppin
Added some updated Pics in gallery, The process is going well, I real happy with how its turning out so far. I have three of the four sections tacked on.
Wish me LUCK
Mike
Wish me LUCK
Mike
Last edited by mt54; Jun 20, 2005 at 09:34 AM.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Pflugerville
Looks really good!!! What are you doing about the windshield, are you cutting it yourself? Do you have someone that will do it? Were you able to find a precut windshield?
Keep us posted on your progress...
Rey
Keep us posted on your progress...
Rey
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 0
From: Northwestern PA
I have an old time local glass man that says he can do the job for me.<O
</O
Mike<O</O
</OMike<O
</O
Originally Posted by 53choptop
Looks really good!!! What are you doing about the windshield, are you cutting it yourself? Do you have someone that will do it? Were you able to find a precut windshield?
Keep us posted on your progress...
Rey
Keep us posted on your progress...
Rey
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 0
From: Northwestern PA
You caught me, these dang keys must be stickin or somethin, I'm sure it can't be my typin skills. 
Mike
Mike
Originally Posted by fatfenders56
I didn't see the tree in the gallery
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Mike -
I am impressed! It's lookin really good. What is your plan on how to fill the gaps in the top? Will you add butt-welded strips? OR, patch inside and fill outside?
Taking an inch more in the front levels the top out really well. I have seen some chops where it looks like it is still on a back rake. You got that covered.
We should start calling you "Braveheart".
I am impressed! It's lookin really good. What is your plan on how to fill the gaps in the top? Will you add butt-welded strips? OR, patch inside and fill outside?
Taking an inch more in the front levels the top out really well. I have seen some chops where it looks like it is still on a back rake. You got that covered.
We should start calling you "Braveheart".
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 0
From: Northwestern PA
Randy,
I'm using a 16ga x 3" strip on the inside, then I plan on filling the center on the outside with another strip to bring it up flush, I don't want to use any more filler than I have to.
I'm using a 16ga x 3" strip on the inside, then I plan on filling the center on the outside with another strip to bring it up flush, I don't want to use any more filler than I have to.
Originally Posted by Randy Jack
Mike -
I am impressed! It's lookin really good. What is your plan on how to fill the gaps in the top? Will you add butt-welded strips? OR, patch inside and fill outside?
Taking an inch more in the front levels the top out really well. I have seen some chops where it looks like it is still on a back rake. You got that covered.
We should start calling you "Braveheart".
I am impressed! It's lookin really good. What is your plan on how to fill the gaps in the top? Will you add butt-welded strips? OR, patch inside and fill outside?
Taking an inch more in the front levels the top out really well. I have seen some chops where it looks like it is still on a back rake. You got that covered.
We should start calling you "Braveheart".
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Mike -
Sounds like a good plan. We'll all be watching your progress. Maybe some of us will draw courage enough to try it ourself. I personally really like the look of a well-done chop. I've just not had nerve enough to try it myself. You could be my inspiration.
Sounds like a good plan. We'll all be watching your progress. Maybe some of us will draw courage enough to try it ourself. I personally really like the look of a well-done chop. I've just not had nerve enough to try it myself. You could be my inspiration.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
One suggestion I'd make to someone who might try this themselves that will make it easier:
When cutting the roof apart to expand it, rather than cutting straight across as MT has done here, cut across the main panel but when you get to the drip edge cut horizontally parallel to the window/door frames ~ 2" longer than the stretch distance then complete the cut from that point. This will leave an "L" extension on one side, and a matching notch on the other side of the main cut. Now when you slide the two halves apart they will self align and you have 2" seam to clamp and tack the pieces back together along. This will also allow you to easily check fit and be self supporting before you put the filler metal back in.
When cutting the roof apart to expand it, rather than cutting straight across as MT has done here, cut across the main panel but when you get to the drip edge cut horizontally parallel to the window/door frames ~ 2" longer than the stretch distance then complete the cut from that point. This will leave an "L" extension on one side, and a matching notch on the other side of the main cut. Now when you slide the two halves apart they will self align and you have 2" seam to clamp and tack the pieces back together along. This will also allow you to easily check fit and be self supporting before you put the filler metal back in.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 0
From: Northwestern PA
Ax,
In hindsight that sounds like a good Idea, I had to be very creative with my clamping, and I made a template of the front contour prior to any cutting, actually I made many templates prior to any cutting.
Mike
In hindsight that sounds like a good Idea, I had to be very creative with my clamping, and I made a template of the front contour prior to any cutting, actually I made many templates prior to any cutting.
Mike
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Mike, I had no doubts you'd find a way to do it well, and I'm sure it will finish out great.
I just made the suggestion for others who might get into all kinds of warpage and sag grief if they didn't brace and clamp adequately. Another suggestion for those same people would be to use that same "L" cut but use a donor top to cut one oversized half from (oversized the amount of stretch needed) so there would only be one seam in each direction to weld and metal finish.
I just made the suggestion for others who might get into all kinds of warpage and sag grief if they didn't brace and clamp adequately. Another suggestion for those same people would be to use that same "L" cut but use a donor top to cut one oversized half from (oversized the amount of stretch needed) so there would only be one seam in each direction to weld and metal finish.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 5
From: Tucson AZ
I dont know if I posted this before or not, but I have used a donor top for the whole top, IE lay another skin over the whole top and weld around the outside, all the welding is above the rain gutters, w/s opening and the rear cab seam, not heat out in the middle of the top itself.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 60
Likes: 1
How do you plan on expanding the tops of the doors? Would using a piece from junk door help, or would it be easier to just fill in the gaps with sheet metal strip? I always thought that the gaps would be a lot larger than what you show. Good luck! Looks like you' re doing a clean job!