Angle Chop
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Coral Springs, FL
Angle Chop
Has anyone done an angle chop on their truck? I am talking about a very small 3/4" chop on the front pillars and a relief cut on the back. If so, how did you handle the doors and the windows in the doors? Were you able to retain the wing windows?
It's a subtle change and I'm trying to figure out if it is worth the effort while the truck is apart.
Thanks.
Ron
It's a subtle change and I'm trying to figure out if it is worth the effort while the truck is apart.
Thanks.
Ron
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I just saw an article in the latest issue still on the news stand of Classic Truck "Behind the Scenes at The Roadster Shop"that dealt with it. I don't exactly what they did because I am not interested in doing this. They were working on '53-56 Ford.
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Ron,
I recently did a 3 " chop and there's a few other other guys in here that have done something in the neighbourhood of 3" as well.
In my case, counting my labour and my son's (the junior bodyman), we put about 150 hours into the chop and resulting bodywork. Check out my gallery on my chop.
I would have preferred to go 4" but figured I better play it safe....
For all the work involved, I would suggest you at least go 2 inches - that's still pretty subtle. (Even 3/4 of an inch is going to bugger up your vent windows. Not that you couldn't likel rework them, but it'll take some work)
Was 3" worth the effort? Darned tootin it was!!!
Later,
I recently did a 3 " chop and there's a few other other guys in here that have done something in the neighbourhood of 3" as well.
In my case, counting my labour and my son's (the junior bodyman), we put about 150 hours into the chop and resulting bodywork. Check out my gallery on my chop.
I would have preferred to go 4" but figured I better play it safe....
For all the work involved, I would suggest you at least go 2 inches - that's still pretty subtle. (Even 3/4 of an inch is going to bugger up your vent windows. Not that you couldn't likel rework them, but it'll take some work)
Was 3" worth the effort? Darned tootin it was!!!
Later,
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: northwestern Ontario
Hi, I just finished watching the DVD I bought of Covell's chopping and sectioning and if you get to view it , it will give you all the information you will need to know. I'm eventually going to try this on a 56 ford pickup I have. They did a 56 Studebaker on the video.
John
John
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From: Katy(Houston), Texas
Classic Truck article..
bobj49f2 is right. Pretty much what you want to do is in a recent issue of Classic Trucks as part of an ongoing custom restoration project they are doing. If you can't get a copy of the article let me know and I can scan and email it to you.
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From: Coral Springs, FL
Great information
Thanks. I bought a copy of the magazine last night and looked at the article. The chop is really nice, and if you didn't know it had been done you might not notice it, but you would think the truck looks "right".
I notice that they removed the wing windows on their truck. I agree with Ferguson777 that you can always tweak the wings if you want. I will also try and find the Covell DVD and take a look.
Again, thanks.
Ron
I notice that they removed the wing windows on their truck. I agree with Ferguson777 that you can always tweak the wings if you want. I will also try and find the Covell DVD and take a look.
Again, thanks.
Ron
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Joined: May 2004
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From: MN - NW of Twin Cities
Ron,
I would think you would have many of the same challenges with the proposed 3/4" chop as you have with a greater chop. Like, whether to cut the front glass or tilt the a-pillar rearward. You probably want to tilt the a-pillars back so you don't ave to add a filler in roof from right to left because the distance front to back is greater when dropped 3/4". In either case you will end up adding a pie-shaped filler in the roof , front to back, because the a-pillars are farther apart when you drop it down 3/4".
Having done a 4" chop on a '55, which I believe was worth every second of the effort, I can't say that I could justify the same effort for a 3/4'" pie-cut chop.
I would think you would have many of the same challenges with the proposed 3/4" chop as you have with a greater chop. Like, whether to cut the front glass or tilt the a-pillar rearward. You probably want to tilt the a-pillars back so you don't ave to add a filler in roof from right to left because the distance front to back is greater when dropped 3/4". In either case you will end up adding a pie-shaped filler in the roof , front to back, because the a-pillars are farther apart when you drop it down 3/4".
Having done a 4" chop on a '55, which I believe was worth every second of the effort, I can't say that I could justify the same effort for a 3/4'" pie-cut chop.
Last edited by brucewolff; Jan 30, 2007 at 12:42 PM.
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