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

 

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.

 

cant really help you out but sounds like it would be a neat mod. one of those some people wont notice but those that do will be impressed

 

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,

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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 have seen one done on a old VW Bug and it look really killer but i think he make it a one piece glass. Well good luck and post some pics if you do it!!!