Chop top help

[ace of shades]

I got a call from a friend asking me to help him fix the previous owner syndrome. The problem we ran into is on his 67-72 chevy chop top the window has been urethaned in and it fits like a glove - an extra large glove on a small hand.





The orange line is were the pinch weld is now, but it needs to be brought out to the green line. It seems that when the window was in it was set in place with over a half inch of urethane and left an unsightly gap with an unfinished look.



Red needs to be moved in
Green needs to be moved out
White stays

I have tried hammering on it, duck billed vicegrips, crescent wrenches and nothing seemed to move it very far. My last resort is to make a buttload of relief cuts and moving it to where it needs to be and go from there.

Does anyone see, or know, of a better way to tackle this problem

[ace of shades]

Another idea I just had would be to cut along the cab and bend it where it needs to be. A-la pie cut instead of a bunch of relief cuts

[unclewatts]

I have a couple of questions. 1) Are you replacing the existing windshield? If not, what windshield are you using? 2) Do you want to use channel rubber to install the windshield? Irregardless, I think you will have to cut slots in the pinch weld, bend it out and braze the slots. I would use a lot of sealer especially in the corners or it will leak. JMHO

[68C15]

I'm no expert but I think the pie cut from the last pic would be best. otherwise you are trying to "pull" the inner roof panel forward. that (assuming you can in fact get it to move) will cause major problems later while driving due to body flex.

[ace of shades]

Originally Posted by unclewatts

I have a couple of questions. 1) Are you replacing the existing windshield? If not, what windshield are you using? 2) Do you want to use channel rubber to install the windshield? Irregardless, I think you will have to cut slots in the pinch weld, bend it out and braze the slots. I would use a lot of sealer especially in the corners or it will leak. JMHO

The windshield met its demise while trying to cut it out. We have a stock one on its way in and will be cut down Monday. I suggested using a rubber instead of urethaning it to the pinch weld but it would be more of a hassle.

Originally Posted by 68C15

I'm no expert but I think the pie cut from the last pic would be best. otherwise you are trying to "pull" the inner roof panel forward. that (assuming you can in fact get it to move) will cause major problems later while driving due to body flex.

I did get the pinch welds to move maybe a 1/16 to an 1/8 of an inch, but it was a fight, and they still need to come out almost a half inch on the top and the sides need to go in.

I think its going to end up being a combination of relief cuts, pie cuts and a torch

[sneakysnake]

Your problem lies in they "leaned" the posts instead of 1/4 ing the roof. So it jacks with the glass alignment.Not sure of the solution but ill help look for an answer for you.

[ace of shades]

Originally Posted by sneakysnake

Your problem lies in they "leaned" the posts instead of 1/4 ing the roof. So it jacks with the glass alignment.Not sure of the solution but ill help look for an answer for you.

That is what I had originally thought. It fits good tell you get to the splice and in the "L" at the top of the window. The only true solution I see to this problem is braking out the sawzall, cutoff wheel and start making some relief cuts and moving the upper pinch weld. All for the name of beauty

[sneakysnake]

An old post on tops may help. Most of the layed backs only do a couple of inch chops.



http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=332551