1971 Chevy Truck Roof Lowering Project

When chopping any top, you're removing area between the posts, which means once you place the top piece back on things aren't going to line up. If you chop the top several inches, many times you have to split the roof and add a filler piece. In this case I've only taken 1 1/2 inches from the A-pillar, so I can just lean the post back to match the top.

When leaning the post back there are several methods, one being to heat the post with a torch and pull back, and the other being to make a relief cut and pull back. We decided to make a relief cut, therefore Chance made a 1/4-inch relief cut at the bottom fo the post. Be sure to go past the point of strength so the post lies back clean, without any buckling.

With my pie cuts cut, I double-checked to make sure all of my post stubs were the same length. With everything looking good, I then placed the top back on the cab.

With the top back on, simply pull back on the post until they line up with the top of the cab. ONce in position, clamp the post in place with a set of Vise-Grips.

To get a clear view of how the top was hsaping up, we needed to pull the front of the window frame back. To do this, simply make a relief cut at the bottom of hte frame, hack of 1 1/2 inches froom the top of the frame, and pull it back to match the contour of the A-pillar.

Here's a direct shot of how much the driver-side A-pillar has been pulled back. As you can see, the passenger-side post is still standing straight up in its original position. Not only does the chop affect the look of the truck, but by pulling the post back it to gives the cab a more streamlined look.

With bot posts pulled back, we went around the truck making a series of measurements in order to make sure the truck cab was squared up all around.

With everything good to go, I then tacked the front post in place.

In order to split the pillar, a line was drawn nearly 1 1/2 inches back from the jabm. from there, Chance made a relief cut from the bottom of the jamb to nearly the top of the jamb. An identical cut was also made on the inside of the cab.

Here you can see how the front of the B-pillar has been pulled forward to match the doorjamb. The gap created by pulling hte pillar apart will be solved by welding in a small pie-cut filler piece.

Here's how things are shaping up so far. As you can tell, the look of the top is much different... and all for the better.

Next month we'll finish things up and install new one-piece windows and a windshield from Brothers Trucks. We'll also install electric window regulators and motors from Electric-Life to complement the new side glass.