Chop the top on my 1947 Ford Pickup

[Sam_Fear]

Would it work better something like this? (I've never chopped a cab)

Or will you make a relief cut on the side of the front section?

Just seems to me, as is, the front to back curve of the roof is going to dip down slightly when split - in relation to the drip edge/door frame.

 

[hotwheels]

Roof cut in to two pieces and resting on cab

I am planning on handbuilding a drip edge for the cab, but that would have been a great idea, butttt i already made my cut. hehehehe

Here we are with the roof cut in half and the 2 pieces in place.

 

[earthman]

"I have to admit it was pretty scary making that first cut, but i figured if i mess it up, i will just get another cab."(quote)

I want to move to whatever state you live in HWS

Looking good.Will no doubt be a very satisfying to complete this chop.
I am one of those who can only watch as i will never have the confidence to try this myself. Thanks for the updates.

 

[Sellers Equipped]

I am planning on handbuilding a drip edge for the cab, but that would have been a great idea, butttt i already made my cut. hehehehe

Here we are with the roof cut in half and the 2 pieces in place.

Looks Killer Hotwheels!!! thought I'd share something with you that will really make your Wire wheels pop!

I offer these sought after Veda Spec caps for the Ford wire wheels & Kelseys nice addition

 

[hotwheels]

Windshield channel

Well i started some welding on the cab, but it is a little slower going then i had hoped. The windshield channel took me a while to figure out the angle to cut in the cab to bring the windshield lip outward. Here are some pics.

 

[cornfield customs]

i know its a little late now but it is always easier to cut the windshield post in the straightest part and put relief cuts on the top and bottom to split the difference where the post doesnt line up well. it makes it flow better and less noticeable

 

[Mobart]

i know its a little late now but it is always easier to cut the windshield post in the straightest part and put relief cuts on the top and bottom to split the difference where the post doesnt line up well. it makes it flow better and less noticeable

something like this..?

 

[hotwheels]

Next time i chop a top i will do that. I sat and stared at it for a while and felt the way i was going to bring the channel in, i would be able to square it up and that the rubber for the windshield will hide the obvious error.

 

[hotwheels]

I went back out into the shop today and refocused on the angle of the windshield post. Here is the current result:

 

[Mobart]

nice!!! you will be happy that you've changed it!![cl

 

[hotwheels]

nice!!! you will be happy that you've changed it!![cl

thanks mobart, i really appreciate the kudos and suggestions. I started on the other side too, but kind of ran out of time for the day.....Here are some more pics:

 

[Sam_Fear]

What exactly did you do to get that to line up?

 

[Neverdone]

could you post some more pics or info on how you made your marks on where to do your cuts. I am trying to figure out where I need to cut the top on my Dodge so that I don't have to mess with the posts on it too much.

Thanks

 

[hotwheels]

What exactly did you do to get that to line up?

I used my wire feed welder and just placed a bunch of little tack welds and built up the curve. I then took my 4" grinder and put a sanding pad on it and sanded the tack welds down until i had the curve i was looking for. I did the same thing with the windshield channel edge, i tack welded straight on to the flat lip and then sanded it down.

could you post some more pics or info on how you made your marks on where to do your cuts. I am trying to figure out where I need to cut the top on my Dodge so that I don't have to mess with the posts on it too much.

At the back of my cab, i took a tape measure and measured up to a point where i felt the bottom of my chop would look okay and placed a mark. I then went to the opposite side and did the same thing. Then using a 4' level and some chalk, i drew a level line across the back of the cab. Using the level, i did the same thing all the way around the cab with the level. (I only measured off of the frame at the rear of the cab, nowhere else). After you have your level line around your cab, look at the one of the front and make sure it isn't in any curves of your windshield frame, if it is, just take your tape and figure out which way you need to move your line (up or down 1")....Once the bottom line is done, figure out how much you want to cut out for the chop and measure upward at the back of the cab and again, use your level and chalk and walk around the cab making your next cut line. I took out 4"......I took blue painters tape and placed it on the top side of the line on the top, and placed it on the bottom of the line on the bottom. Then double and triple checked all of my lines, and then cut away.......I too posted pics at the very first post on this thread so you can get a rough idea on how it should look before your cut.......Feel free to post em and i will work with ya on getting it right.

 

[Neverdone]

Thanks for the info, I will try and mark it up this week and post pics for some more advice.

 

[hotwheels]

schweet.........neverdone


Sam Fear: Here is the sanding disc that i have been using for my metal work. Just be sure if you buy one, use it softly, with car sheet metal being about 22 gauge, it doesn't take much pressure to burn a hole in the metal......


Plus i will toss up a couple pictures of the left and right side pillars completed.

 

[Skullnbones]

I dig it! Nice work!

 

[hotwheels]

Thanks skullnbones......

 

[hotwheels]

Well i made one hell of an attempt today to put my rear pillars together and get some welds in there. Kind of frustrated right now, but here is what i have so far, and the other side is tacked.

 

[riffraff]

look at this

fatmanfab.com look under the tech stories part 1 and 2 i,ve got 2 -42s thinking of top lowering just trying to help see ya