top chop help
 

thinking about a 3-4 inch top chop on my 70, anyone got pics or best ideas as where to make the cut on this and does the windshield need to be laid back. thanks

Re: top chop help
 

4" chop top picks in my signature.... if you pick up a copy of HOW TO CHOP TOPS, written by Tex Smith, you will see several examples of chop tops on the 67-72. I chose to lay the sheild back on mine, but you can do a "straight chop", that sections the top intp 4 pcs.....just depends on what you like:) :crazy: L woops!...... http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn

Re: top chop help
 

the windsheild doesn't have to be laid back if you extend the length of the roof from front to back.

the only peice of advice i can give you on this subject:
bracethe cab for twisting on all axis. when your done brace it some more. you can never have enough bracing when you chop a top.

ondrew

Re: top chop help
 

A brace across ea door opening (front to rear) is all i used, & I had no problems......a little extra bracing falls into the "cant hurt a d@mn thing" tho......;) :crazy: L

Re: top chop help
 

So Crazy ! Who cut your whindshield ? I chopped a 67 3 inches, and cut all the glass,except the windshield. Did you cut it ? I was told you could like tape it off with something like duck tape. Several layers. Just leaving were you wanta cut. Blast both sides with a sand blaster,then pour lighter fluid on it to burn the plastic. After that take it to a glass shop,or some were that has a belt sander to smooth the edge. But I am not sure you can do this. I might try. What did you do ? The windshield is all I got left to do other then painting.

Re: top chop help
 

Yes, I cut the sheild.....it took about 6 hrs to get it down to size, then the belt sander went to work. I cut the sheild with a glass cutter, a strip at a time. just like any saftey sheet, you cut 1 side, then the other......the only difference is that you are cutting a little at a time . the glass is taken off in cresent pcs,(about 2 -3" long,& 1" wide) starting from the backside on the 1st cut. I had about 10yrs in glass work, so the flat stuff was no problem......the curved saftey sheet takes a lot of patience to do tho! Its all explained in the HOW TO CHOP TOPS book, as well as many pics on the 67-72 trucks & many others......:crazy: L

Re: top chop help
 

While I agree that bracing can't hurt... If the cab is on the frame, there should be no problems with sagging since it is only like 5 feet from front to back and not a main structure point.

Re: top chop help
 

thanks for the help guys ill give it a shot

Re: top chop help
 

Let me know how it goes. Of course, I can help if needed. No skill, but I have hands.

Re: top chop help
 

A little something I "found" might help you a long.
http://www.hotrodsbyhg.com/current_p...c10_kustom.htm

Re: top chop help
 

thanks snake that helps alot

Re: top chop help
 

One thing I noticed, in what appears to be a very good job, is in the picture of the frenched antenna. It shows the welder's ground clamp attached to the door, while the work is being done on the cab corner. Don't do this. It forces the welding to get it's ground across the hinge pins. This is not only hard on the pins themselves (it can cause pitting from the arcing) but it could bite you if it momentarily lost ground because the door moved.

Re: top chop help
 

very interesting longhair thanks

Re: top chop help
 

Heh, yuo can practice with the 68 cab then.

BTW, the roof and windshield frame is perfect on that one...

Re: top chop help
 

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...91_42_full.jpg
HERE IS MINE THE ROOF WAS CUT IN 4 PIECES AND STRECHED. ALL THE GLASS WAS MADE WITH TEMPLETE AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS CUT VERY CAREFULLY. IT TURNED OUT GOOD BUT I DON'T THING I WOULD DO IT AGAIN.IT,S BEEN 9YRS SINCE WE CHOPPED AND PAINTED IT ONLY ONE SMALL ROCK CHIP IN THE WINDOW. HAPPEND FIST WEEK I WAS DONE.

Re: top chop help
 

Re: top chop help
 

The Coler Is A Stock Gm Yellow Used In 70-72 On Corvetes.the Same Coler Was Used In The 50's,i Still Uave Paint Some Were I'll Look For A Number.

Re: top chop help
 

Thanks for the info.
That color is so perfect.