Roof Chop

[AusMarty]

Has anyone done a roof chop on a 67-72, I am considering doing mine but would like some advice or build pics of one being done

[ChevyDude]

my guess is most people here are NOT fans of the chop top. Although you might find a few.

[glock35ipsc]

[Ram-Man]

[tavenner13]

im not a fan cuz im 6'2 so that settles that... but i must add that the thing that i love most about these trucks is how much of their own personality that people put into these things. you do what you want to with them. i used to be a die hard mopar fan but theyre all boring... its always just back to factory original and thats all that anyone cares about and if anyone tries to do anything cool then theyre hanged for it. all im saying is if you wanna chop the top on your truck then by all means DO IT!!

[BigSky71]

Sorry for all the parade raining AusMarty, but I gotta agree with the above. I think the chops on the 67-72s look odd.

But I do have a reason for thinking that; when you chop the top the whole truck looks smaller imo. Which may not by itself be a bad thing, but on a truck that has been lowered it looks "less" low to me with the short top, thus defeating the purpose of lowering it... hows that for twisted logic?

Fwiw; I am not 6'-2", ha ha...

[biglou55]

Here is a pic of one from our truck meet last year. I hope this works. personally I dont like a chopped top. makes it look odd.

[Simonstrucker]

Its all in the way that it is done. Howmuch of a chop etc. The best way that I have done it in the past is to do the doors first. Then move on to the cab if you want more detail pm me.

[SactoJim]

The type of chop (if you just have to do it) that looks good is the one where someone is looking at the truck and scratching their head thinking, "something is different, but I can't put my finger on it". The obvious chop makes the truck look out of proportion.

I like subtle, and even though it's a ton of work for a subtle change, the end result can pretty cool.

I remember a silver truck that was in some magazines (and on this forum) a few years back that the guy lengthened the entire cab like 6" or so....talk about alot of work for a subtle change. Truck looked really cool and I would have never known if I wouldn't have read the article.

[Frizzle Fry]

Didn't XXL do a slight chop on his? It can look OK if it's very subtle. I personally don't like chops on anything '55 2nd series or newer. 1920's thru early 1950's hell ya!

[3/4tonterror]

http://www.hotrodsbyhg.com/current_p...c10_kustom.htm
here is what you are looking for, love chopped topd.

[72CSTC5]

They look disproportionate to me but they are right XXL did a nice job on his.

[see ten]

A bud of mine used to own this truck. I didn't personaly care for the chop.

[piecesparts]

I for one, am one that likes a good chop job, even though I came from Farm country. There are to many trucks in my area that are just another of the same old thing (yes there are a lot of the 67-72 trucks still running around my part of the country). I want to be different and I want it to stand out and be shiney. The truck is NOT my avatar, it is my latest effort in doing trucks.

I purchased a 68 C-10 with a 3" chop on the roof, the doors and bed are smoothed and the fuel filler removed. The truck is in pieces (the cab is in one piece though) and I still need to assemble it. There are definite tricks to doing a quality chop on a cab. Most important from my experience; cut the glass first, it is easier to fit a metal cab to a windshield that is cut 3" than trying to fit a glass to a cab that is chopped 3". The doors would be next on my list. The cab structure can be manipulated to fit the glass easier, that takes into account getting the window frame shaped right for a good seal. The guy that cut my cab did the roof in four sections and pie fit them to make it straight. To this day, I cannot see where he cut and welded it. The good glass cutters will sand or grind down a windshield rather than cut it with a cutting tool. The pattern (original cut glass) for my truck was damaged over the years of storage, so I got a new one cut not long ago. Be ready to pay for what ever thesee guys goof up, because you own it the moment they start working on it. I got my glass cut and fitted, along with getting the back window designed to swing open like a mini van window for $600.00. That was cheap, but the shop has a reputation for doing quality rod work--look for a shop with experience. ( I had to get my back window cut, drilled for the hinge and mounting handle pieces and then heat treated so that it would not break for my design idea---that added to my windshield cuttting cost).

Welding and sealing joints is very important in these projects. Take your time and do it slowly. Be sure to seal all of the bare metal and welds quickly to stop any rust.

Just my .02 worth

[jimmydean]

I think it f's up the lines. Some things look good chopped, others do not.

[piecesparts]

Every one to their own............

[PanelDeland]

Don't chop.stretch.Stretch the cab about 3 in or so.It will give you interior room.(Bet no one says they have too much{maybe plenty}but not too much).The longer cab will cause the proportions to look like it has been chopped.

[Shane]

mail slot windows rock! cut it!

[mnunn454]

I love 'em, but am worried about the amount of work involved to make it look good.

My wife hates them.

[RACINJASON22]

Thats a rough one to ask on this board isn't it. So many of us just love the classic lines it just hard to look at one that is changed that much. Personaly I like chop tops on alot of things just not these truck's(I think it makes em' look FAT not PHAT). To each there own though. just my .02

[crazy longhorn]

For the critics,YES I DID cutup a califonia longhorn http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn She is a 3 3/4 chop @ the rear, tilted foward for 4" on the nose up front . IMO, these old trucks take well to a "tastfull chop"......there is one in my area with an 8" chop (too much IMO), but its everybodys own choice! for a daily driver, I would suggest a 2 1/2-3 " chop(a little more traffic lite freindly)LOL. I am 5 ft 9, & 4" off the top is about as tight as I would go. for you taller guys, think moderation one thing for sure is , I have NEVER heard any negative feedback on my chop.....maybe guys are too polite? If you want the chop, & you can weld, you can do it! Pick up a copy of HOW TO CHOP TOPS, written by Tex Smith, & you will find several examples of how to cut the 67-72 pickup, as well as cutting GLASS & mouldings(best 20bucks I ever spent). Dont mess with the glass unless you have had at least 8-10 yrs experiance. It will take you a good 6+ hrs to cut the windsheild down, then you get to the belt sander. best of luck, L

[stllookn]

This was about 1" chop with about 3/4" tip forward. When they are slammed from certain angles (like the front) the top just looks too high. Lots of work to get the PERFECT look!

http://classictrucks.com/features/05...7chev_01_z.jpg

http://classictrucks.com/features/05...7chev_02_z.jpg

[EAST SIDE LOW LIFE]

IMHO the old 32 > 40 trucks look good chopped but the newer trucks do not look as good. Now having said that I saw a 67 to 72 SWB that was chopped and looked great "BUT" the guy sectioned fenders, hood, box and the rear fenders well I think you get the idea. This brought everything back into proportion. This is alot of work and would cost a fortune unless you are great at body work.

esll.

The difference between a good and a bad haircut is that the bad hair cut grows back in two weeks. Remember a chop off the top is for ever.

Bottom line .... it's your truck and we all do what makes us feel good in the end. Don't let any one tell you different.

[brak]

I like em, but it's got to be combined with the 67-68 hood, gives a sleek look...

eventually i will probably take mine down about 3 inches, combined with a 68 hood modified for use with a 72 front end.

[chopttop]

Purchased mine 10 years ago w/the top chopped, looks cool but is a beeitch when pulling up to a stop light or getting in or out, ouch.lol