Old Dodge Coe Chopping

[Trucker_tim]

I was looking to get some thoughts on chopping the top on this Coe. I have had some suggestions from a friend to cut the roof flush with the top of the posts. Then cut them down and bend them in. My thought was just to take some out of the middle section and lower it.

Thanks Tim kracht

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[Casey]

You could do that, but in my opinion, chopped tops always look better if the roof area is both lengthened and widened, with the pillar angles kept close to stock.

The center windshield post on an A-series cab provides and additional challenge- remove it altogether, section it, or cut it out and replace it with a new piece?

I would section the A-pillars until you have the roof height you want, then make a longitudinal and a perpendicular cut through the roof to lengthen and widen it. You will need to either taper the B-pillars or add some rear roof overhang to compensate for the new C-pillar shape, too.

[Trucker_tim]

That was my thought as well, would make it look more natural. My thought would be to cut it horizontally through the back window. To take out the drop material. I don't know if it's been done before, but thought about cutting out the upper window section and keep it intact then just lowering it in place and filling in the gaps with sheet plastic. That way the window could be the cornerstone of the whole thing. Let me know if that makes sense.

Tim

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[Casey]

I suppose that would work, but if you don't extend and widen the roof area you need to tilt the pillars inward so everything mates up after the chop...and that usually ends up looking kind of funky.

Here's a quick and crude Photoshop-modified image of a '67 A-series pickup with the top chopped 6" or so. I think you could get away with sliding the rear cab wall/greenhouse area forward after the chop (this is all assuming you leave the roof area the stock length and width), but something's gotta give, and I've stopped short of laying back the A-pillars to meet the stock length roof:

Edited January 29, 2012 by Casey

[Trucker_tim]

I think we are both on the same page I will need to cut the roof in to four pieces and widen it and lengthen it.

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