Chop Top (Lovin' Summer!)

[alpinestar]

Did a chop top a few weeks ago, bad pic of it, but im wondering what everyone does about cleaning up the edges and making it look nice. i have my own ideas as to what i wanna do but was wondering what everyone else thinks.

thanks

 

[88BII got it for $250]

A mig welder a grinder and some time....
here watch this half way through they chop top it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuOYVeR_E8I&feature=channel_page

dont show much but its just like any sheet metal work....
Form,Weld,Grind.....Repete.

oh and hey that thing looks nice with the top off.

 

[alaskan155]

right angle flasking for the sides, then probally weld flat bar to the top and sides some how.

some people use the window hole for a soft top

 

[alpinestar]

oh and hey that thing looks nice with the top off.

Thanks...

so that answers that question now what is everyone doing to setup the tailgate?

 

[BlackBII]

A rangers' tailgate will 'bolt in'. You might need to grind 1/8" off the edges..

 

[alpinestar]

what about the space right above the taillights? do i need to cut that out of the hatch?

 

[crawlin91]

the body lines are the same on a ranger so if you found an old ranger bed you could cut the tops off and 'cap' the sides of the b2. Search b2 chop top for a article about this. check the tech library.

 

[alpinestar]

alright will do.. looks like thats it for now guys, thanks! :icon_thumby:

 

[88BII got it for $250]

Never thought about cutting the caps off a ranger bed.... Nice idea, i may try this after my 5.0l swap is done.

 

[kozak]

Is it legal to chop the top ? If you were to go for a vehicle inspecion, would it pass ?

 

[wahlstrom1]

It would most likely depend on the inspector in the area. Some will only check against the standard list, some will write everything thats not stock against ya.

 

[Hahnsb2]

No inspections in Washington.

I'm not a big fan of Chop tops personally. You should really think about caging it, they're a lot more flimsy without the roof/glass.

We should have an extra ranger bed you can cut the rails off of that my dad would let go for pretty cheap.

 

[CopyKat]

So your going to be looking for another body in less than a year is what your saying?

Seriously about 90% of the chop tops are destined to be crushed. The 10% that actually take the time to finish them off right are the ones that are still together.

And for those that think it's cool to chop up a solid body... Just think of the guys that have a hard time finding a decent cab, to even consider using.

 

[alpinestar]

well its my truck and this is why i bought it, to chop the top, so it dont really matter to me if someone is having a hard time finding a good cab... anyways

i would like to get some bed rails maybe, let me know what you want For them.

and yes im caging it, i have a 4runner roll bar back there now... im not just gonna let it get crushed and kill me and who ever is in the truck with me, i understand safety....

 

[CopyKat]

Your right I don't care. It's your vehicle to do as you please. I just see it all to often, someone chops the top wheels it destroys the body like it's no big deal. Then they are looking for a ranger cab to put on it. If that is what you want is a 2 seater. Save the good bodies for guys that want to have a full body rig.

The chop top you did is hardly a chop top. Chop the roof at the windshield and fix it all up. Then you'll have my respect.

To me this is just another lazy chop that is destined to become a stapler or a pack of staples.

Good luck with it :icon_thumby::icon_welder:

 

[Foolee]

You should put a ranger std cab on your frame and shorten a short box for a super short box... :icon_thumby:

 

[crawlin91]

or no box and just do a truggy

 

[alpinestar]

okkkk... the reason i wanted to chop to top on this is so that i CAN have passengers in the back and not have a cab deviding us, and the reason i would never chop the rest of the roof off? it would for one look ugly as hell and two i have a roof rack that has to go up there.

and no Kopykat im not gonna go trash and destroy it like the rest of em all do... in fact...

the next stage of this build is to take apart the entire front leaf setup and get all new hangers and what not from ballistic fab. and pull the cab off the frame, clean all the cuts on the roof and bedsides, clean and paint the entire underside of the body, and clean and paint the frame. the point of this truck isnt to demolish it and turn it into a pile of shit. i actually have plans to make this a nice looking truck that someday i could maybe sell and take pride in having built... 2-3 weeks i'll re start my build thread...

thanks for the comments guys!

 

[Hahnsb2]

I just saw your B2 turning from 164th onto Fourth Plain on my way home

 

[Totalled]

You won't be liking the western Wa winter...