Thread: to chop, or not to chop...

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Cali, you're right those big bad mopars produce sweet music like no other. I probrably spent WAY too much time thinking of the day ( hopefully by spring ) that everything is mounted and ready to fire up.....excuse me, I just shed a tear...LOL.
Do you have any pics of your '51, those are some of the coolest pickups made. What you got for engine setup?

Thanks for all the input guys (and girl)! I think for now Ill leave the top and focus on the suspension drop and body work. We'd like to have the car ready for our unveiling at our first major car show in March. I can always chop it later if I feel the need, but It'll look good just bagged. Thanks again and I'll keep you updated on progress.
Oz

I'M CHOPPING A TOP ON 1935 PICKUP CHEVROLET
AND INSTALLING DOOR POST MADE OUT OF STEEL AND
DOORS WILL BE SUICIDE DO I WANT TO CHOP THE TOP FIRST OR
OR FIT THE DOORS AND THEN CHOP . ANY HELP WOULD
BE APPRECIATED THANKS

From what I've seen, the only way to chop a top properly is to have the doors fit perfectly first. This ensures that your cut lines are gonna be true and besides, changing your doors to suicide is the easy part compared to trying to line everything up after the surgery begins. That's just my opinion, good luck with that.

P.s are you putting door poppers on after?

YES I'M USING POPPERS I THINK I'M USING SILENOIDS
THANKS ALL THE HELP[ I CAN GET WITH THIS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

Originally posted by 47mopar
Cali, you're right those big bad mopars produce sweet music like no other. I probrably spent WAY too much time thinking of the day ( hopefully by spring ) that everything is mounted and ready to fire up.....excuse me, I just shed a tear...LOL.
Do you have any pics of your '51, those are some of the coolest pickups made. What you got for engine setup?

My truck has the running gear out of a 63 T-Bird. 390 engine, Cruisomatic trans and 9" Ford rearend (non posi ). I've been toying with the idea of putting the drivetrain of an '86-'88 Ford, 5.0L with a C-6 trans. The 390 is running so good right now, but if I come across the right donor car, I will snag it for later.
I have a link to my pictures in my profile.

Fitting the doors will be the wise thing to do first I think as well. Also you said a 5.0 with a C6? That is a little over doing it, I would put in a C4 with that 302. The C6 is a much bigger and heavier unit and not needed unless you will be towing. Otherwise a C4 would be great.... Just thought I would add that in here while you mentioned it.

I am looking to get one the same exact car 47 plymouth, my question is to you is there one specific sub frame that will fit this car? Nova, caprice, I even have an access to a 96 Astro van. Just wondering if I could adust a frame to fit under this girl. I guess it is a trial and error

i also like the chopped look.

Originally Posted by CHACH3835

I am looking to get one the same exact car 47 plymouth, my question is to you is there one specific sub frame that will fit this car? Nova, caprice, I even have an access to a 96 Astro van. Just wondering if I could adust a frame to fit under this girl. I guess it is a trial and error

First off, that's about a 4 year old post......but nevertheless, why subframe the car when there are so many good options to update the suspension and brakes on the stock frame???? Grafting on a sub-frame brings on a whole host of other problems....... Track width, reattaching the radiator support, making mounts and brackets for the inner fenderwells and front body mounts, getting the steering reconnected in a manner that is safe and still offers engine and header clearance. Along with this, plan on spending a bunch of time measuring, measuring, then some more measuring to get the old frame cut off in the right place, the subframe cut off in the right place, then getting it all welded back together square and level, along with getting the tires centered in the wheel wells....... Also requires some very secure stands or a chassis table and well above average welding and fabricating skills to get everything back together correctly and safely.

Then, when you're all done with this, you still have a subframe with a bunch of old worn out bushings, brakes, bearings, etc. etc. etc.........

Personally, I agree the car is too nice to chop.

I like the looks of a well done chop. However, your car looks nice just like it is.

How many are there left unmolested and in as good of shape as yours?
Not many I would suspect.

Just my .02

I would not chop that car. First, chopping a 4 door is more difficult than a 2 door. Chopping with a curved roofline like the Plymouth will also be difficult and should only be handled by a pro if that is route you decide to take. Early cars (20's - 30's) for the most part had tall roofs and straight pillars making the chop easier.

Leave the roof intact, replace the suspension and brakes, bag it if you like the style, shave it, nose and deck it, pancake the hood if you desire and turn it into a mild custom. The car has a lot of potential, and later you when you start cruising it you'll be happier that you didn't lower the lid.

I'm in no way against chopping, as my 34 has a 4 inch chop and I love the style. But for cruising comfort my unchopped 57 Olds custom is my salvation.

And if you want something a little more hotrodish, drop a Hemi in it.

Chach3835, as mentioned, my original post was 4 years ago but its cool to see new replies. Since my last post I got divorced, remarried ,had 3 kids and SOLD the car!! I now have my sights on a '38 Dodge coupe ( guess I'll have to change my tag ) Anyway, I kept the original frame because it was in great shape and these cars have very heavy boxed style frames that are easy to work with as long as they aren't rusted out. I opted to not use the Mustang II front end. I was fortunate to sell the car to someone that was going to finish it the same as my own plans and made a deal that if he ever sells it, I get first crack. If your original frame is no good, I've heard of these cars being put on S-10 frames but don't know if that's true or not. I'd love to see a pic of your project as I still really dig these years. Good luck

Originally Posted by kustom_oz

It's funny your from BC, because thats where my car is from.
My bro bought it from a professor at the university of BC
Its a small world after all.

That sticker is a cool little piece of history...my '35 still has a Rutger's University parking sticker from 1963 from when my dad drove the car back then in college. the window is separating and the quarter window on the other side cracked taking it out, but I plan to reproduce the parking sticker and give it to my dad as a surprise for the new glass. the car is not following a 60's theme by a long shot, but i think he will appreciate having that old/new memory on the window again! (yes I know this thread is old and that user is probably not here anymore )

My worthless opinion NO CHOP leave it alone. Looks good the way it is.