Raking A Windshield - Time Consuming

[YoungBlood]

Hey guys, I have never chopped a top before, much less rake a windshield back (for a salt-flat look). Its a 37 Ford Chopped 6 inches. My windshield will be about 8 1/2" tall, the door windows will be 8" tall, and I will have an approximate 3" mail slot in the back.

I have 23 hours into the chop already and I see another 10 hours to go at least at my current skill level. I wanted to go for a unique look and it will look great once I am done, but damn this is taking forever. Also, I have never really done body/metal work this extensive before either, so I don't feel too retarded, I am just gettin' ancy to move on to the chassis and suspension.

Has anyone raked a windshield before on a 30's-40's truck? For a first-timer on this sort of thing is the time consumption normal?

 

[Tripper]

Has anyone raked a windshield before on a 30's-40's truck? For a first-timer on this sort of thing is the time consumption normal?

YB,
I did but only chopped 3" because the more u chop the more u have to lean! Let's see some pictures of where u r now!

BoB

 

[donsrods]

We did my '39 Dodge and I forget exactly how much we chopped it , but I'm thinking only like 4 inches. We laid our windshield back too, and the trick is to cut LESS out of the windshield posts because when they lay back it eats up some of the height. If you cut an even amount out of front and back you will end up having to add some of the posts back.

Here are some pictures of us doing ours, hope they help.

Don

 

[donsrods]

And some more................

Don

 

[donsrods]

And finally........

Don

 

[YoungBlood]

Wow Don, that certainly looks much easier than the route I took.

I will be adding some sheetmetal back onto mine once its ready. But the way its coming along looks soooooo bad ass with the 6" chop. The rake really adds the attitude I was originally looking for. I will get pics up closer to completion and maybe do a sticky named 'HOW TO TAKE A MONTH RAKING A WINDSHILED'

Its been fun though and Ive learned a hell of a lot.

 

[donsrods]

It takes time to do it right. We must of had ours on and off 30 times. We would grind a little off and try it again, then grind some off the other side, repeat, repeat.

Shoot us some pictures, I bet yours looks cool.

Don

 

[ratty 46]

I'll tell ya....... both you guys got balls......I would no more attempt to chop that much out of my windshield as seeing the man-in-the-moon.

I've got to give you both props........

An older phone booth body from the 30's - maybe.......but fat fender era stuff " fo-get-a-bout-it!"

Keep us posted.

ratty46

 

[donsrods]

No Ratty, the guys who really have guts are the ones who do cars like '50 Mercs and other cars with all those curves and angles. I don't think I would ever attempt one of those cars. So much can go wrong and I have seen some really bad chops, and lots of half finished chops.

In fact, the reason I don't do customs is because I HATE BODYWORK with a passion.

Don

 

[bob w]

Let's start a website for those of us who HATE bodywork! It will probably be the biggest hot rod site ever!

 

[dogman]

37 chop

Pitcures please, im starting my 37 chop this weekend ,thinking of 6" or 6.5"
DUCKMAN sorry I ment DOGMAN

 

[YoungBlood]

Dogman, I don't know if you wanna see my pics bud. I felt I could have gone a much different route on cutting. I will get pics up as soon as the chop is done.