Cuttin' a Turret Top

[BigJackDaddy]

I've previously posted a few replys to the chopped trucks thread, but in the interest of not hi-jacking someone else's thread, I thought I'd start a new topic to post updates.

Today was a door day and this is how I left it when I walked out... tomorrow's another day.

Checking the door jamb after jacking it around for a day-and-a-half (a story all in itself):


From the inside. The front below the curve was the worst with a gap of more than 1/2":


Passenger side inside and unfinished outside driver...

[Bills_49]

wow, looks great bud, id love to chop mine, but dont have enough skill yet.
i love the chop look.

[55dude]

chopped TF'S are great! at 6' 6" they just don't fill the bill for me. i'm stuck in the panel and burb' world so i can get comfortable. even my 54' coe might end up "extended" nice work so far!

[weldvair@embarqmail.]

What do you plan to do for the windshield?
Don Meyer

[BigJackDaddy]

I know a good way to get the skills, Bills

Dude! COE?! I love 'em. Wish I had one. Someday...

And regarding that curved windshield glass that naturally raises everyone's curiosity:
If you look at the top of the roof, you'll notice I widened it in two places. If the truck had had a flat windshield, I simply could have tilted the "A" pillars in to meet the lower top and cut the glass accordingly. Not in this case. If I had changed the angle of the pillars, the glass would never fit since the windshield has "sides" that can't be changed. I'm attaching some earlier shots that show better what I'm trying to say:




Some years ago when I did the glass for my 56 F*rd which has a very similar windshield, we scored the glass on both sides and repeatedly tapped the scores to crack them. As the cracks started to open up, we poured rubbing alcohol in it and lit it to soften the plastic sheet between the laminated glass. As the plastic burned and softened, we were able to wiggle the waste piece & crack it right along the score. Finally we just cut the remaining plastic with a razor knife.

It worked like a charm until we went to install it in the truck and realized we cut it a little to large. It ended up breaking while we were "fine tuning" it and it took me another 3 windshields before I was successful again.

I know some guys have success with the sandblasting method as well. I might give it a try. Either way, I'll post the progress (or the lack there-of) as I go.

Thanks for the comments, guys. Much appreciated.

[BigJackDaddy]

... and for what its worth, I started on the floor and firewall as well:

[Bills_49]

very solid truck as well. great job can wait to see it done!

[BigJackDaddy]

This weekend I started on the chassis. It's from a '82 Crewcab.



Prior to dismantling the cab, I removed all the pertinent pieces such as the column, wiring harnesses, swing pedals and brackets, etc. ' even removed the driver's side portion of the firewall since it has all the holes in the right locations. I'll either weld it in place or just use it as a template. We'll see as it goes.

[fleetsidefive8]

iam little confused why you cut the roof in the picture above the door ? you dont have to go all the way and section entire roof?

[BigJackDaddy]

Since both the '58 and '82 frames are approx 34" wide in the cab area, I welded the mounts to the newer frame after bead-blasting them.


I had to get the cab from the rear to the front. Since I'm working alone on this, I needed to "walk" it along the frame. To get it over the rear wheels I had to roll it up onto its firewall. I put the boards on the frame to protect the firewall while sliding it.


I got it close to where it needed to be ...





... and then had a good laugh at myself when I had to cut the transmission tunnel for clearance after welding the old holes shut a few posts back.

[BigJackDaddy]

Now I'm doing some mock-up to check the alignment and fit of everything. After I get the brake booster, column, front support, etc. laid out I'll tear it back down.

Originally Posted by fleetsidefive8

iam little confused why you cut the roof in the picture above the door ? you dont have to go all the way and section entire roof?

Good question fleetside, but Nope. Since I was able to cut & "re-roll" the rear cab corner to meet the lower roof, I only had to widen the front of the roof to meet the original "A" pillar. That cross-sectional cut meets @ the back edge of the door opening and allowed me to:
1. widen the front, and
2. work with one piece of roof instead of re-aligning three pieces.

BTW, where in Ventura Co? I lived in Thousand Oaks in '06.

[BlueJeep]

So what are your plans for this truck? With the big truck front sheetmetal and the crew cab frame I'm envisioning some sort of long, low hauler.... Am I close?

[BigJackDaddy]

Right you are!

The original grain box dump that's still on it in my avatar is now a dump/tilt flatbed waiting to go back on it.

[robin58]

BigJackDaddy, wouldn't you be better off cutting the glass first and then welding everything up? Easier to modify metal than change curvature of glass.

Also, have you ever tried cutting the glass using a sandblaster?

[GRIMSS]

Love the chop.

I just checked out flyingmelons site and that tractor you made from the rest of the 58 is great. Anything new with it?

I'm getting a '57 grain truck and I've got a few ?s on another post about what interchanges with the 1/2 ton trucks. You mind checking it out?
thanks, jared

[fleetsidefive8]

big jack i am in simi. we were neighbors. thanks for the response.i will be chopping one very soon, and post the pics and problems.

[BigJackDaddy]

Thanks for the replys.

Robin58,
You could do it that way if you wanted to. Regarding the sandblasting, as mentioned in post #5 above, I might give it a try. We'll see. It only depends on the mood I'm in when the time comes; because if I go the blasting route, I'll build some sort of a cabinet that the windshield will fit in. Knowing me, I'll probably go the old school route for kicks. I've heard of success and failure with both methods, but am willing to try things for myself.


Grimms,
I'd love to check it out! Right now I'm working nights and can't follow your links from here due to our IT department's ever tightening "security". I'd be happy to share any experiences and hear yours as well.

Generally, the engines and cabs are the same. The front sheet metal on the "big-bolts" is different to accomodate the wheels. IIRC, the original rear on mine was something like 8.10:1


Fleetside,
You've got a great car, truck and bike culture out there. I really miss it.


One of my boys is looking to get into racing quarter midgets and I intend to support him and use this truck for that and regular general purpose hauling.

I get off Thursday and am thinking about getting the steering column and swing pedal lay-out together. That, and modifying the front radiator/sheet-metal support to work with the newer frame & side-tank radiator.

More as it develops ...
Thanks again.

[BigJackDaddy]

Just in case anyone's still following:



... details on my site

[55dude]

of course we are following still, keep the pic's coming!

[BigJackDaddy]

[Bishops Trucks]

Always following, keep us posted.

[GRIMSS]

Man that truck looks mean.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Looks cool man, great job!

[JohnnyG.]

man that truck is gonna be cool.

[Kim57]

The chop looks really cool.
Kim