Hey chaps,

I've done a search and I can't find any info on this. I'd like to lower the roof height by 1.5/2". Having previously worked in autoglazing, I'm aware that the side windows and the rear hatch cannot be cut, but the front screen (laminated) certainly can. Is there anyone out there who has had experience with doing a roof chop on an FB (or any other car for that matter) or might know what to expect?

From my limited experience, I suspect that the roof would need to be cut off roughly halfway up the A and B pillars, and a section cut out from there.

I know it's been done before because I've seen one at a show in NZ, but I couldn't track the owner down to talk to him/her about it, unfortunately

 

damn. i barley fit in mine now. choped 2" would suck. might look sick though.

 

The one I saw in real life was amazing. I spent literally ten minutes walking around it saying to myself "I know this thing is different, but I can't for the life of me figure it out... what the hell have they done?"

Looked awesome. And hey, I'm 6'2", but I figure I can always get lower seats, and the dash will be completely modified anyway

 

Im not sure it would look good, but if I did see one I might change my mind. Its pretty low as it is ya know!

 

I'm 6'2" and I hit the roof now, but i also have a moonroof.

 

most of the ppl who ride in my car have a hard enough time. I dont care for chopped cars unless its from the '50's.

 

To solve the rear glass problem have a look at the Mariah hatch replacement, http://www.mariahmotorsports.com/exterior/ext_hatch.htm.

It may or may not look good on your application, but they are available and are more modifable than the original hatch.

I'm thinking this will go either way, it'll look great or look like crap. Post pics.

 

if you take the paint off of the rear pillar., you will notice a line of brazing across it about 8 inches up from the body line, this is where you shouls probably make your adjustments, as it is a factory joint. it would have less of a chance of screwing up the bodies rigidity than any where else.

also the mariah hatch probably won't work without major reconstruction, I would reccomend either a JDM "porche gate" (thats where Mariah got there Idea from) or one of the plexiglass rear hatchs, you could cut it with a jig saw and a metal cutting blade, and then polish the area you cut with fine grit jewlers rouge to get rid of the haze.

the Mariah hatch has the over hangs that cover the rear triangular window, and would require masive work to make it fit,

but

on the other hand, it might be easier in the long run as you could make a kit that cause it to seal along the body line also and just not put the back triangular glasses in......

just some ideas.

kenn

 

That's some good information, cheers for that. I wasn't aware of the factory join on the B pillar. I could probably get away with replacing the quarter windows with polycarb, I can't see them getting scratched or anything, but I'm not sure what dropping the roof would do to the line of the rear hatch glass, so there's definately more research required there. I should have stated that I don't want any kind of mariah kit, they're not available in NZ and IMO they're not attractive in the slightest.

Usine ploycarb for the rear window is an option, but it just scratches so easily. There's also a pretty severe curve towards the bottom, and I've never seen polycarb bent properly, it always looks bad.

 

The windshield and rear window pillars would be easy to remake with some steel stock, so I wouldn't worry about them nearly as much as the B-pillar. If I was going to chop the top on an FB (and I've thought about it from time to time), I would cut the A and C pillars more or less completely out, align the B-pillar and roof how I wanted, and the weld in the A & C pillars. But that's just me, and I'm friggin' crazy.

For the quarter's, use some relatively thin lexan. The way to get it looking nice is to attach it with large rivets. Start at the back where it's the narrowest, put one big rivet on, and heat the lexan with a heat gun (overpowered hair-dryer) while you attach rivets headed towards the large end of the window. Your best bet is to make the window just a little oversized, and use a cut-off wheel to trim it if you need to. If it still looks a little wavy around the edges, you could always fab up an aluminum edge, polish the windshield surround, and people would think you're an awesome designer.

Keep us posted with your project.

 

someone photoshop this

 

i think gonzz has this on his RHD SA22C. i've seen it in person, but i guess ive seen so many sevens that i just cant remember. keep in mind, i saw his car at Sevenstock 7.

 

ok so i did this with an old chop where i shaved the bumpers.

Before:

After:


yea i know i sucked on the hatch but oh well

 

First off...i wish i was 6'2"

I like the look of that! Makes is more sleek i guess you could say...and since im 5'8"...gimme the tutorial!! *chuckles*