Chopped top... U done it?

[careyman]

Hi, could anyone who has previously chopped a ute or sedan,either them self or via a shop, post some basic points as to the process, possible costs if via a shop.. maybe some business names (if around Melbourne or Geelong)maybe pics or a link. Interested in having my ute done that happens to already be stripped and in the right state to do it... checking if it would blow the budget.
Cheers Carey

[FBeing]

You mean chopped like this?
http://www.fbekholden.com/forum/viewtop ... f=11&t=395

[CHOPPED]

what sort of a person would chopp a ute
i didnt document mu chopp but its something that would take a lot of posting to explain it
its probably better to talk about it in person
the front screen alone would take an hour in conversation
is this something you want to tackle yourself or have a pro do it for you

[FBeing]

Yeah Paul I was just trying to find info on your ute...
Best I could find was this:
http://www.fbekholden.com/forum/viewtop ... te#p118459

Oh and the chassis fabrication one

[Devilrod]

Johns rod and custom in Berwick is one shop that springs to mind or there is The Car Guys Garage who I think are in Reservoir. When I think of more I'll post them up.

[newman]

by CHOPPED » Thu Jan 27, 2011 8:42 pm

what sort of a person would chopp a ute
i didnt document mu chopp but its something that would take a lot of posting to explain it
its probably better to talk about it in person
the front screen alone would take an hour in conversation
is this something you want to tackle yourself or have a pro do it for you HEY IT WASNT ME
CHOPPED

Posts: 461
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2006 11:09 pm
Location: PERTH WA
Private message

Yeah, who would want to go chopping a roof
I was lucky enough to buy my FJ already chopped (it was done twenty years ago) but I've seen enough partly chopped cars for sale that the owner builders start and realise that its not a job for inexperienced. Devilrods tip is a good one, Johns rod and custom in Berwick does really good work but be prepared to wait (it will be worth it)
Mick

[Harko]

I lowered mine 4.5 inches ,that means as you lower it the roof needs to have been split down the centre (front to rear ) so that it can drop on the same angle as the pillars , or some chops are done by not splitting the roof and then strapping the pillars and pulling them back into line with the roof section ,
My 4.5 inch drop meant I had to add 52mm to the centre of the roof ,3 ways to do this .
Add a strip and butt weld it.
Or add a strip that over laps and use a roller or pneumatic tool that steps an edge to create a rebate, this means no panel beating after welding due to the double layer.
Or cut half a roof off another ute and add the lap into the equation, this in my opinion works the best.
Take a template of the roof curves before any cutting , make sure you brace up the body so it cant sag or move out of plum , also brace up the roof before welding so it moves minimal amounts with heat shrinkage.
Make a template for the front screen taking into account all of its curves and agles and it will then lay over a laminated screen to mark the new line to be cut . You will be surprised that it will need to be cut the entire way around the window to allow it to lay back to the new height , Or you can go through the process of making a new screen ...
The gutter rail will need to be trimmed off and the angle matched up to original .
Take your time and think about everything that will be affected before you make a cut but also remember its only steel and can be welded back up.

[newman]

Harko,

What/how do you cut the curved laminated screen down??

Mick

[Harko]

Its an art to watch ,the glass guy will use a hand tool and freehand draw the line on the inner and outer then burn the plastic laminate and break away the unwanted sections , sounds easy but lets just say watching is on the same level as getting a tattoo

[Blacky]

There was a bloke up Glen Inees way who was trying to sell a chopped ute body - the chop had been done by Paul Cundy and he had also fitted a flat floor . He was asking 2 grand for it which was a steal , dont know if it ever sold , I looked at bringing it over here but the cost of transporting a non runner was too much.

[CHOPPED]

all gpood advice guys harko is correct in the way he describes redoing the metal work
in my case i wanted the roof with a slightly larger curve in it
my ute is chopped 4 inches
i rolled a new roof skin on the english wheel
yhis eliminated any seam welding of extra strips in the metal
mind you my dad is a old school panel beater
watching him on the english wheel is like watching art in motion
a very difficult trait to master
fbieing there is a 5 page spread on my ute in street machine august 05
this explains a fair bit on the things we did
paul

[minifb]

Ed done mine