Thread: 1951 Ford F1 Rat Rod Truck

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After I got the engine in I realized it was way to low. So I went to the hairpins and I have 4" of clearance under the pan. I used a cross member and mounts from Chassis Engineering.

Radiator is an aluminum universal from Speedway Motors



Headlights BLC



Universal weld in battery box from Speedway Motors.



Made some upper shock mounts out of 3/8".

Coming up next......the Chop!

I can't believe I missed this one. Nice truck. It looks safe and yet still fun. Nice stance and the straight 6 is a thing of beauty. Way to go!

Those front shock mounts knock me out. You really have an eye for fabricating a beautiful piece.

The lines are perfect and now you're going to ruin it with a CHOP???

Thanks Eddie. Well the chops already been done in the first pictures. It was top heavy without it.

This was my first attempt to chop a top. I used build my own race cars and cut the tops off to get the roll cages in.
I decided to take out 4" and leave the rear window the original size just drop it down 4" where its level with the windshield and door windows.







It was easier for me to do it in 2 parts so I masked out a line to cut the roof in two.

I cut the roof first with the cut off wheel.



Then I cut the posts with the Sawzal. If you use a Sawzal start out slow because it will cut through the posts real fast.

The roof section didn't quite line up with the lower posts so I made a relief cut in the upper corners to spread the upper posts to match the lower. I also had to cut a relief cut to widen the post a bit.





I actually had to split the post 4 ways to get it to fit

After I got the front lined up and tacked into place I cut the doors and then the rear roof section. I removed 4" from underneath the rear window to lower it.






I still need to trim a little of the rear for things line up better. I can use the piece I removed from under the window for the section on the roof. I just mocked up the rear section for now.





I think it looks great. Not bad for a first timer and a days work. It was very intimidating at first but after I got started it was all that difficult. So if any of you have reservations about doing a chop I'd encourage you to just go for it. Just make sure you do your planning, get Tex Smith's book on "How to Chop a Top", it's invaulable, measure 3 times then measure again before you make any cuts. It wasn't that hard. Not that I'm ready for that Mercury yet! But if you have basic metal working skills its doable!

Before


After


Still need to finish fitting the rear section, the section on the roof, the doors and finish up all the welds.

I trimmed up the rear section and tacked into place.



The sides didn't line up there was a gap of about 3/4".



Made some relief cuts above and below the cut to make everything come together.



Now I have a 2" gap in the roof to be filled.



Welded in the side rain gutter pieces. The pieces are from the A pillar with some modifications so the will fit.

I welded the strip in the roof. and removed all the bracing inside. Finished up some of the welding and slap so Bondo on to how it will look.






door frames cut and fitted. Still have tons of welding and grinding to do.





Threw the seat out of 50 Stude in to see if it will fit. It will needs a few modification but will work just fine. I'll need to go to "Old Town" and get some upholstery material (Mexican blankets).

Used some 16 gauge and the bead roller for the floor.

Got a free Chevy bed from a friend. Cut it down to 46" and welded it back together.

Tearing it apart after mock-up and painting the frame.

Frame paint and putting it all back together.