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another chop job

134K views 373 replies 32 participants last post by  knight hawk 
#1 ·
I know there are alot of ''chop'' threads and questions, but... I'd like to know if anyone has chopped a "48 Dodge 4dr post " with suicide doors,. I did a pick up once , so I know the basics. Question is, with the center door posts, I'm assuming the top can't can't be shifted ???
 
#55 ·
axle clearance

next area of concern ; since I have raised the rear spring shackles, it has moved the axle closer to the body. Right now I have about 4 '' clearance from the axle to the bumpers, and also the bumper on the differental.. How do I determin how much clearance I need ?
 
#56 ·
This is not a very "scientific" as I don't know how stiff your rear springs are. But perhaps it will you help out by bringing this post back to the top and other members with more experience and knowledge will see it.

Place enough weight in the car to approximate what you may be carrying in it (passengers, dog, tolls, etc.). Then bounce on the back bumper. :D :D I told you it was very "scientific". :rolleyes:

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#58 ·
#60 ·
led lites

thanks guys, both sites are really good . I think it's what I'm looking for.Now, I thought I wanted to french the tail lites, like the headlites are , but if the car is shaved , decked, and flat black, may be the tail lites shouldn't be frenched, might be too plain or too smooth ???? What do you guys thinkl ? Does anyone have a picture of a car with a smoothed trunk AND frenched tail lites ?
 
#61 ·
Nothing wrong with Toooo smooooth.

The 39 chev lights might be close. It would be worth a call to find out.

If you haven't finished off the housings yet you might make a holder on the
back side to hold a standard 4 inch trailer lamp. something like a bucket that the lamp would set in and be held against the inside of the frenched housing.

a bit of work might save quite a number of bucks and produce the look you want.
 
#62 ·
looking

Haven't cut the hole yet, if I can find just the right lite, hold it place by hand, see how it looks, then make whatever it takes to mount ...trick is ...too find the right lite, without buying one of each ! OR maybe the right picture ...........................thanks
 
#63 ·

Attachments

#66 ·
home brew said:
You might consider using 59 Caddy tail lights and tunneling them into you fenders like the pic below.
That's what I did shown on this and the next page of my journal. I slid the lights out toward the contour of the fender so their shape conformed to the fender and so I showed more lens and the chrome bezel. Also remember that the LEDs are trick and bright but cause a couple of problems for hotrodders. First, they don't draw enough current to run a standard flasher unit so you need to go with an electronic flashing trigger. Second, don't think of running blue dots in your lenses 'cause the blue color is opaque to the monochromatic light put out by the led. They look like black spots in the middle of your red glowing light.
 
#70 · (Edited)
I just joined this site yesterday and happened across this thread. My son is just finishing up his first project. Its a 47 plymouth 3 door. he streached the front doors, shortened the rears and lost the driver side rear door. It gives the appearance of being a two door from the driver side. He also did a 3 1/2 taper chop. It turned out really nice! I like the way the windows came out in good proportion. Anyway here is where it is now. got pics of the process if you want them?

 
#73 · (Edited)
dinger said:
That's one cool looking car, Metal Twister, show us more! 4 doors, very unique. :thumbup: Dan
Not that unique to us! With 2 doors getting hard to find we have found these are still affordable and Hot Rodable. We chop everything and anything The cool thing is the kids can still experience old tin, and big horsepower.

Getting the new foundation and floor


prep for the cuts and shaving


mid way, going topless







He decided on a 3 1/2" taper chop, retaining the only curved glass, the rear window. We cut in a 40 ford roof with the front peak. It gives it a little something. The front doors were streched 6 inches and the rear doors shortened 6 inches. the rear passanger door was lost in the transformation and never found again. He also pied the hood 1.5 inches, relieved the front wheel reviel 2". welded VW headlight rings on the body. With removable buckets from inside. And a ton more that I dont remember. I think I will get him involved with this forum and let him discuss it further. He Z'd the frame and put a 318 with auto trans, Valarie clip,and Jag rear end in his beast.
 
#74 ·
home brew said:
Great looking "3 door"! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Yes we want pics! Why don't you start a project journal so we can all see the process and follow along as you build your project.
We used to. But we do a lot of cars now and just dosnt seem as important as it used to. Dont ever turn a fun hobby into a job!!! :nono: It turns into WORK.
 
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