The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Chopped Top

I am relatively new to the truck world, and wanted to know how difficult chopping a 52 Chevy is. I've been around cars and what not, but never chopped a top, and don't want to pay someone 1500 to chop mine. I'd like a three inch chop, and it's a standard three window cab. Any help will be appreciated.

1500 bucks is pretty cheap to chop a top. I've seen a few tops chopped in the progress and it looks like a heck of a lot of work. The shop around here that does it is fully equiped with english wheels and all the other fancy metal shaping tools. If you plan to do it yourself get someone with some experence to give you some pointers. My 2 cents

I'm chopping my 46 4 inches, There's lots of literature around on how to do it and I went into the gallery and asked some of the members with chopped chevy's how they did it. One member with a 45 Chev was nice enough to send me a 2 page explanation on how to do it. If you got a mig welder and all the tools you should be able to do it. Just remember the old saying, measure twice and cut once and temporarily reinforce the cab before you cut. Bob T

Check out www.jalopyjournal.com you will find some articals on chopping tops.

I have been an auto & truck restorer over 40 years, having helped an older friend chop his 49 Mercury FOUR door sedan when I was 16 in 1962. We made a big mess and then managed to make it beautiful. Over the years I have chopped many different types of vehicles, and there are many different approaches depending on the top and what you want to finish with. One of the best books I have seen on the subject is written by Tex Smith and Rich Johnson {both Master builders & fabricators}, published by Motorbooks International entitled simply "How to Chop Tops". Published in 1990, the wording is simple and to the point, and the technology is up to date. It's must reading for anyone who wants to chop his own top, no one could tell you what you will get from this book. Besides telling you how, it has pictures of over 50 Chops before, during and after. I like to reread the book often and I remember the chops I've done, and if I were to contract to chop one, I'd read the book again before I started. By the way, the last one I did was a 49 Chev {3-window, not 5] 3and1/2inch chop and left in primer in 1997. Good luck from an ole' bodyman.

Not to bad Rat, just drop the top streight down and angle back the front posts, looks fine like that. No need to section the roof.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Denny, that is all in "taste" and style. Personally I don't like that look. If it is a very mild chop, say a couple of inches, ok. But something more than that and the it looks out of proportion. I lengthened the top last time when I chopped mine at 16 years old thirty years ago. But this time (with a "new" cab) I am doing both. I am chopping the top four inches but instead of lengthening it the inch and a half I did last time, I will be lengthening it only three quarters of an inch and raking the posts back the rest of the way. THAT will keep the top in perfect proportion.

Brian

1975
[img]http://members.aol.com/buickfam/topchopping.jpg[/img]

Quite a job for a 16year old Brian. I knew how to do it when I was 16 but never had the guts to try it.
I agree with ya on the degree of chop and keeping it propotioned. You need to section it if your taking a big bite out.
I like those checked bell bottoms in the picture. cool!
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Ahhh... The Old MARTINSR Pics again. I never get tired of seeing them. That could have been me at that point in time (Class of '75, Go Ravens), long hair and really cool pants. What did spares do to that double-knit? Now I have to add a chopped top back on to my list of future projects.

As LamarB says, get the book! "How To Chop Tops"

Dreamin', Buddy