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 ???
disregard the last post, cause I think if I recess the the booster in to the firewall, it'll be pretty close...........All this makes me think, you guys with the 20's bodys must have less room to work with than me !
I like the idea of the reverse mount, but how would you ever fill it ? I'm afraid one like that is not in the budget..........anyway, I just cut the firewall last night ............................thanks again , "Brew"
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 ?
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. I told you it was very "scientific".
Lots of 4" LED stand alone accessory tail lights for trailers and big trucks around but I don't know of any 3". I think it is time to get your tape measure out and attend a rod run and try to find some 3" tail lights that LED tail light reproductions are made for. Rodworx sells repro LED tail lights. Here is a link:
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 ?
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.
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
I like the idea of using the tunneled '59 Cad lite , but as of now I think I'm leaning toward the '39 Ford ( tunneled version ) with LED from Mooneyes for about $40 each. ..........................thanks... guys
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.
the '39 Ford lites are tapered, don't fit the body correct, I like the caddy, so .... now , I'm looking at 61 (?) Chev tail lites, slighty recessed , as kind of compromise.............................. Willys36..WOW ! lots of photos.. thanks
ythat's a good one also. I just seen a '52 Pontiac, alittle rounded , nottoo pointed. BUT, not all of these are offered in LED that have both tail lite AND brake lite........................still looking ....
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?
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.
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.
How far from Fallbrook is your shop, I see you're in the San Diego area. I just left there today, had a couple of food safety audits down that way. Dan
O K , guys, I'm smoothing and filling the body right now, what or how do i do the the shaved door handles ? With out going electric ! Some kind of flush or recessed handle, AND using thre same door latches !
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