Thread: Stretch and chop, or just stretch?

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Well, I'm only a little bit over 6" tall, but they must have been a lot shorter in the 30's.
I'm definitely going to have to stretch the cab on my 35 Ford pickup, but the question is, will chopping it a couple of inches at the same time throw off the proportions, making it not look right?
I do have the extra cab that came with the project, so sheetmetal to do this shouldnt be a problem.
Any body out there really good with Photoshop that could show me what just stretched or stretched and chopped would look like?
Thanks - Karl.

It's going to depend some on how you stretch it, and how much chop you can tolerate.

A lot of folks stretch these from the rear door pillar back. I think they can stand to have them stretched through the door. Take a look at the truck pictured in this thread (about 2/3 down the page) http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...threadid=11235 Yeah, it's a different year/model, but the base proportions are pretty similar. Don did both a door/roof stretch and a chop (I think 3" each, but not positive, maybe he'll see this and respond). Whatever you do, doing a "paper" mock-up first is the smart thing to do. Nothing looks worse than a misproportioned vehicle.

If no one here can help you with Photo Shop, take pictures of the truck, at least full side, and 3/4 view. Make multiple prints, and establish you scale. That way you can cut paper before cutting metal. You can cut and tape in as many configurations as you can imagine until you get one that rings your bell.

Bob gave you a great idea, a digital camera, a printer, scissors and tape will allow you all the variations and combinations possible on the cab. The length and height of the box will also effect how the proportions are on a pickup. I've been playing this game for a bit on my "T" coupe and have some interesting combinations.

Originally posted by Kruzin Karl
Well, I'm only a little bit over 6" tall, but they must have been a lot shorter in the 30's.
Thanks - Karl.

Karl, you should have all the headroom you need @ 6 inches tall. HEHEHE
I know U meant 6', but I just couldn't help myself. HEHEHE

Damn, a slip of the keyboard and I just shrunk!

you can do a 5 in stretch with an extra set of doors. cut each door 2.5 long past center and put them back together. looks much better than the exstended cab look.

Shine, I do have the extra set of doors, would you happen to have any pics of this being done? Maybe some in progress shots?
Thanks - Karl.

You mean doors like this??? Doors are stretched 7", cab is chopped 3"

no i dont have any pics. if you mark center on a door and 2.5 each way you can see the cuts. there is only about 5 in in the middle that the cuts will line up good.

I chopped the top on my Truck 3 1/2" & ask for advice on other mods. Bob suggested that I lengthen the doors.....good advice. I lengthened the doors 3" by welding 3" from an other door on to the back of the door.

The cab being 3" longer made it a lot more comportable & easier to get in & out..........good luck. Don

Here is a picture of how I lengthened the doors. After re-reading your thread.....you have plenty of hear room to chop the top. I would only go 2" to 2 1/2" on your model.