CHOPPING THE ROOF (Part 2) - 51 Chevy Budget Rat Truck build

[@chrisconley8105]

"Shiny paint just causes stress man". Truer words never spoken. Lekka chop, thank you.

[@ratrodsafrica]

😅 Thanks bro!

[@WillsonBuilds]

Aint that the absolute truth

[@joeandmichelle7375]

Ppl everywhere will do their own roof chops now because you explained it so well. Such great information!!

[@ratrodsafrica]

😅 that would be great! Thanks!

[@jonathontaylor8861]

Rat rod Bob's SA cousin with a hint of Bad Chad for good measure, definitely one of the clearest how to roof chops for beginners out there, and no grinding and welding isn't boring or we wouldn't be watching, brilliant work, well done.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks brother! I'll take the comparisons as a big compliment, just gotta find me a Jolene somewhere...😂

[@ishsiriram8286]

@@ratrodsafrica Pas op ou maat...die vrou hou jou dop.

[@brianhaw9398]

You guys should check out Halfass Kustoms. Very good builder from central Canada.

[@craigcaggiano431]

I agree with you Rat Rod Bob, Bad Chad and others like japhands kustoms and Casey’s Customs, hardcore Fabs

[@leeburke4060]

I agree i watch both also..

[@vernecunningham5341]

The masters of old used to cut the roof in 4 pieces, but this being a rat rod not a show car it works.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Yes, I've done that in the past, but like you say😀

[@Tucson20]

" Shiny paint just causes stress " Steeling that for 1953 R-130 build . Thanks for showing me how to cut a roof.

[@ratrodsafrica]

It's my pleasure. Good luck with the build!

[@TCreatorO]

These are all the steps nobody shows you about chopped tops, thank you for sharing 😎👍🏼

[@ratrodsafrica]

You’re welcome! 😊

[@deankay4434]

There could be books written on how to chop-a-top or videos. Thank you Duff for giving us the visual choice. It's a winner thru and weld thru! 😊 DK, Omaha.😊

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks DK!

[@robertlotriet8801]

How do you keep your office so clean and tidy, bad Chad should take a page from your diaries. This is a very well run and organized workshop. Thank you for the entertaining show.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks man. Habit for many years, put tools away and clean up a little everyday. I feel a tidy organized shop just makes it nicer and more productive.🙂

[@robertunderwood6011]

Its time and stop and look and time again.

[@eddiegary7817]

“Shiny paint just causes stress, man” lol I’m making a tee shirt!

[@ratrodsafrica]

😂👍

[@danielburke4113]

Very cool vids. Lots of practical knowledge from an old timer. And that's a compliment!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you very much!

[@Shiryas]

Standing is doing something as you demonstrated. Looking things over before cutting or welding ensures things are coming together like the vision in your mind. Great job Div, your videos are excellent, perfect balance of work tasks, descriptive narrative and segues. Subscribed.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Welcome to the shop Shiryas! Thanks for your kind words

[@eloyanzaldua7433]

Man I really like how ya kept the back window stock.

[@johnnymac1580]

Sit down and think about it, that’s what I’m doing ⚡️

[@williamgreen2679]

i feel you are a great teacher ive seen plenty of roof cuts in my 68 yrs of living but never one exsplained in such detail love your vidios bill aust

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you Bill!

[@vicferrari9380]

Good show Sir. I take it that your not concerned about it raining😊😊

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you. No, rain is not a great concern😅

[@DustyMacsGarage]

Love your approach to working through problems!! Great job re-using those pieces to save yourself time in having to bend them up from scratch!!!!

[@RIDGERUNNER3174]

I’m guessing you already know this trick but, when you’re welding sheet metal in addition to moving around its also helpful to have an air hose to air quench the tacks and stitches

[@matthewfocke5360]

Great explanations and demos...The craftsmanship is exceptional. Enjoy it immensely. Thanks for your time and hard work.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Pleasure man. If it adds a little value, I'm happy

[@battsetter6451]

awsome videos on the chop, getting ready to chop my 50 ford f1 never done a chop before and your videos are excellent! I learned alot from watching!!! thank you!

[@DustyMacsGarage]

Cheers Div!!!! Excited to watch this one!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Howzit Dusty! Hope ! didn't disappoint...

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

👍👌👏 Was definitely a lot of work but looks really, really good! Very well done again and as always (video and work). Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and health to all of you.

[@Afro408]

In the early 70's, I worked in a coach building shop in Brisbane, where they also converted Ford LTD's into Ambulances! :D The body builder who did the Ambulance building used a stick welder for all the panel work joining, just like you're doing here and while I was there the company got their first MIG machine ( first I had seen as well ) and the ambulance builder tried it out. Blew holes everywhere and went back to the stick welder! ;D He was the only welder I ever met who could butt weld 1mm steel sheet with the stick. I would get rid of that lead filler by using a small butane torch to melt it and a wire brush to wipe it off the steel. You wouldn't be accidentally thinning the steel body while trying to grind the lead out. Great job on getting those pillars to line up.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Nice little story🙂

[@Afro408]

Thanks. That was the last cut-and-shut ambulance made in Queensland and I was amazed to see it much later, in 1995, at the Chinchilla ambulance station, still going and doing it's job and it hadn't fallen apart! 😉 Not a bad testament to a skilled craftsman. 😁

[@rescueinoldraggedy7407]

Nice work , i like how you show how you do it all , have a good weekend my friend

[@kennyguillotte1881]

Great presentation! Really enjoyed. You are a true fabricator!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you!

[@grahamparsons1070]

Love your videos mate. I’m mad about anything cars especially rods and Kustoms (rat or not) the chop has come out brilliant. That for me was awesome but not the highlight! Your easygoing nature having a laugh not taking things too seriously and showing hiccups/challenges in videos is the most redeeming feature. I couldn’t ever tire of watching your videos/tutorials they’re interesting, honest, educational, funny and easy watching. Great job thank you, you’re a cool guy

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Graham! Sick of all the flash and fake in the world, so here we keep it real 😁

[@visionist8003]

Life's too short to be sanding bondo haha... i like that!!! your truck looks amazing man! Great job!!!!!!!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks buddy! Yes, thats why we build rats, no time or love for that plastic shit...😂

[@ronnieellsworth9223]

Looks pretty cool. I like it. There is one other person that does this. He is Rat Rod Bob. I guess it's time for the coat hanger. Thanks. Ronnie.

[@TheFrameoff]

Very lekka , like I say love the way you describe what you are doing ,. Nice chop too , Build On

[@ratrodsafrica]

I was waiting for my instructions to build on!😅 Thanks for the positive comments

[@TheFrameoff]

@@ratrodsafrica LOL

[@pauljohnson6828]

Nice work bud you a awesome teacher and craftsman!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Paul

[@tezsullivan6048]

Thank you very much for a fantastic instructive video and great camera work. Best wishes from Australia. Tez.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Hey Tez. Pleasure mate 🙂

[@DoonerF]

Great job again! I think you are spot on with that rear window. I like more glass to see out of. So glad to see your stitch work on the roof. That really adds some style to a rat rod. I need to get one of those thinking chairs like you have. It gives you great ideas.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Harold. Yes, happy with that rear window. Picked upt the thinking chair in the dump! Maybe thats the secret...😂

[@kumaran7529]

Howzit Diff. Great job once again, and a wonderfully simplistic tutorial that makes it seem so easy.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you my man!

[@alanpaulick7815]

Local is lekka. Like the look of this rat rod. Thanks for sharing diff.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks boet!

[@manuelcutzal4359]

My REGARDS FROM GUATEMALA CENTRAL AMÉRICA I'M MANUEL

[@garycamara9955]

Not an automatic?

[@chrisclegg7156]

Great work, looking good I like how the rear window worked out looks factory . 👍

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Chris. Very happy with the rear window myself😀

[@flatworm00]

The chop came out really goodl

[@johnfederkeil9211]

Awesome video, you make it look easy! I love the look. I also really like the look of the stitching, it's a nice touch!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you very much!

[@bobbrinkerhoff3592]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this to you , but this is the way that Sam Gates chopped the top on the Rod and Custom " Dream Truck " way back in 1954 . Of course , he gas welded everything together before hammer welding all of the seams . No mig welders back then or angle grinders with cut off wheels , his cuts were done with a hack saw or air chisel .

[@ratrodsafrica]

No I didn't didn't know. How times have changed hey.

[@wesleybateman5837]

Great tips Duff ! I enjoy the way you work things out Big ass clamp ! Like the acid trick for rust Thanks again man

[@ratrodsafrica]

Pleasure Wesley. And thanks man!

[@stashwaxroller1740]

Yet another very good tutorial . Keep up the good work !

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you Randy. And huge thanks for your support over time, you are one of the top commenters!

[@robbollom7396]

great step by step instruction Dif

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you Rob

[@idrisrouxagut8018]

Bonsoir c super ce que vous faites cordialement

[@ratrodsafrica]

Merci monsieur!

[@stephenwhite5057]

Great video, very informative. You have inspired me to chop my 47 now I know how to do it. Thank you.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Ah man! If I can inspire someone, I'm one happy dude! Good luck with the 47 chop. Drop me a mail if you have any questions, I will help where I can.

[@bobcarino9013]

Awesome work! and love your humour😂

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you!😊

[@tommills2097]

Lekka man! I'm lovin' on your channel so much that I'm getting kak done on my own projects- lol. Cheers from the wet coast of Canada.

[@ratrodsafrica]

😂 Thanks brother! Greetings to all the good guys in Canada 🇨🇦

[@craigcaggiano431]

The chop looks great…nice detailed video

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks 👍

[@stevefortin7504]

Ive been watching this series for a while now and just subscribed to your chanel, i like the way you work and your explanations are very easy to understand! I think youre doing a great job, i look forward to seeing you finish this build, its going to be really cool my friend!! Im following your progress from northern ontario canada,

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks for the sub and welcome to my shop!🙂

[@markrobertson9015]

Yeah the trim ring looks great.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Mark! Appreciate the feedback

[@thequixotryworkshop2424]

Great work Div! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us…

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks man! It's my pleasure to share the little I know.👍

[@geoffreymills9932]

That came out awesome, I think it's a perfect amount of chop for those models 👌 can't wait for the next bit of voodoo on the monster

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks man! Agree with you, more chop looks out of proportion.

[@seanhammon6639]

There you are! I thought you'd lost your camera boet!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Sean! Onkruid vergaan nie so maklik nie boet!😂

[@WillsonBuilds]

Awesome videos! New subscriber from Canada!

[@carlcarsboult255]

great job so much fun ,i love your vids and way of doing things you inspire me to do another rod thanks 👍

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks, real happy if I can inspire!🙂

[@henrygibson1530]

Looking good there the chop came out great.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Henry! You are one of my top commenters! Thank you for the support my friend👍

[@henrygibson1530]

@@ratrodsafrica You're welcome 😁

[@dragontattooee]

Great video, very well explained what you were doing, looking properly LEKKA Div

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@521farmer]

Ya got this reminds me of dad's shop always figuring how to make it on a budget money was always tight back then so thks for sharing keep it up like 2 other shows on KZbin ya right up ther with them so that's why l,m signed up to learn how to do it best l can with what l,ve got great understanding 😊

[@erivon2234]

as usual LEKKA mate! looks great!

[@ratrodsafrica]

😄Thanks Eri!

[@franciscomontesdeoca5316]

A real metal máster.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you man!

[@franciscomontesdeoca5316]

@@ratrodsafrica you are welcome máster.

[@garyjohnson801]

We usually cut the roof in 4 sections so we don't change the angle of the A piller or B piller.. also I cut a section out of the inside of the A piller to weld the inside metal other wise your only welding the outside

[@ratrodsafrica]

Many ways to skin a good cat😂 I once did one where I cut the roof into 5 pieces. What a lot of work😅

[@mattblack6268]

Great work again mate.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks buddy

[@gmc.joesousa4360]

Looking Good

[@chriskappes9170]

Love it very good explanation of how to do it

[@ratrodsafrica]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ekim000]

It's looking really sharp! A mixture of hydrogen peroxide and table salt is the blackbelt rust inducer. I use it for ghetto grade gun part rust bluing. The more salt you add the more aggressive it is.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks man! I've heard of the salt/peroxide mix but have never tried it. Maybe its time I give it a go!

[@majorpayne5289]

👍and that’s the way it’s done fellas. Good stuff (SUBd)

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Major. And thanks for the sub, appreciate!

[@jimcarlisle1141]

Good work, you are very smart!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you very much!

[@donaldhalls2189]

That's looking good excellent job, can't wait to see it's progress,all the best to you and your loved ones

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Donald. Same your side man

[@davidroper9129]

coming along nicely diff, !

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks David!

[@davidweidner1675]

Deft it's looking lekker You are a fundi of weld

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks bro. More like a fundi of grinding😂

[@joaquinsablan5406]

Your Great Div ! So smart, thanks for showing how to chop the roof on your chevy . You make it so easy to follow each step and tasks to accomplish it . Job well done my friend. " Lekka Boet "

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks boet! And my pleasure👍

[@odednachum6826]

I was waiting too long to this video. Finally. Really interesting metal work. I am looking forward to see how you fit the truck doors. BIG LIKE !

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks my friend! Watch out for the video about the doors, it will come😅

[@ishsiriram8286]

Turned out great Div. You certainly made it look easy. Sure would be interesting to see a "time invested balance sheet" similar to your cost breakdown. Thank you again for Sharing.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks buddy! I'm not counting time, never have. Would be too much of a shocker!😂 But if you do stuff you enjoy, it doesn't matter

[@t4lovers688]

Mate what a job 👏 I wish I could do that art work you are doing mr rat rod

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you Mr VW T4!

[@t4lovers688]

Great work on them cuts .top work thanks for your time again

[@seanhammon6639]

Diffy, you created the world's first slotted sunroof, but then you went and closed it! 😂

[@ratrodsafrica]

Ja well, winter rains are coming... 😂

[@miketodesco6915]

This is the most comprehensive video I’ve ever seen, awesome results, perhaps I will chop my 49. I assume you have to pie cut the door to get that slope right, maybe a part 3 ? Love your work!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Mike! Yes, chop that 49!😅 I will still do a video about the doors in the future, keep an eye out.

[@frankschwartz7405]

"Lead"........What can you do? You can heat it up with a torch and scrub it with a wire brush.

[@timhanson2080]

Looking really good. Thanks for the video 👍

[@ratrodsafrica]

It's a pleasure. And thank you!

[@eddss123]

Nice!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you!

[@tattooeddude72]

needs a cool visor over the windshield

[@ratrodsafrica]

Yeah man! Will look into that in the future.

[@ronaldvanderwesthuizen5918]

I like your work shop set out. Everything has its place. Jou plek is sharp my broer, smaak jou twee vraagmotors. Especially the REO.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Dankie boet! Jy moet maar eendag kom kuier!

[@joebourque4860]

Awesome work .Thanks for all the information.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you Joe. And its a pleasure man!

[@thestreets5206]

Made to look very easy, but certainly is not , tidy job from south African dude in England, currently doing a camper conversion 🇬🇧

[@ratrodsafrica]

Howzit SA dude in the UK! Good luck with the conversion

[@willwade1101]

You welded up your sunroof, well it was a pretty narrow one.

[@ratrodsafrica]

😂

[@IronChief]

New subscriber, awesome job!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you Iron Chief. And thanks for the sub! Welcome

[@djscrews]

Awesome vid! That looks great.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks!👍

[@danporter643]

Looking great Div! You are making good progress. I was wondering... you have a nice rake on the cab, what if the hood and fenders had a slight forward rake also? You might have the engine bay room since you don't have a stock size engine. Seems like a lot of effort, but might look good, or not.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Dan! You have good design suggestions. The nose clip does actually have a little forward rake, just hard to see in the videos. My shop is too small, cant get the camera far enough to show it.😅

[@markorr1874]

like your one man operation i am in same

[@ratrodsafrica]

Welcome to the club!😀

[@davidwall1045]

Shiny paint causes STRES, LAKKA

[@ratrodsafrica]

Yes man, the truth!🤣

[@joaquinsablan5406]

Div! hello again. Just looking at your 1951 chevy 's stance which I really Like , how did you do it? You and I have the same taste in the way I like my stance on my car to look. I like mine LOW and Rake ! Even when you were mentioning during your CHOP session of the rear of the roof being higher and the front about 1 to 2 inch lower. That's the way I like mine also, Anyhow I thought you had channel the cap and the fenders followed for a great look. Just need your information as to how you did it THANKS!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Like you said, the raked roof chop adds to the look. I did not do any channeling, but I did mount the cab slightly lower in the front. I think most of the look comes from the suspension setup. I left the back suspension of the Nissan Hardbody frame original. Being a truck, it sits quite high. And then I dropped the front quite a lot by adjusting the torsion bars. Finally, the custom load bin I built was purposefully set at quite a rake. Hope that helps!🙂

[@0lddragracer426]

Good job Div! You've actually got me thinking I could chop the top on my 67' f100 2 inches myself. I've got to see you do the doors first though. I think the stock roof height on these pickups is a little too high, and 2 inches would bring mine into better proportion I think. Of course, it's just my opinion

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you Michael! I will be doing a video on the doors in the future. I dont know the 67 f100 very well, but I think they have a lot of interior double skin, which will make it more difficult. You will also need someone to cut that curved windscreen for you.

[@billyporter2195]

Great chop, enjoyed your commentary. When you originally cut the top off could you not have just manipulated the front pillars instead of having to stretch the roof? I’m only interested as I’ve never done this and wondered if it was possible. Thank you 😊

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Billy! The front pillars would need a lot of manipulation. The bottom part (attached to cab would need to move back, and the top part (attached to the roof) would need to move forward. AND the pillars also need adjustment when looking from the front. This will require pie cuts and relief cuts in 2 planes. Down the line the door frames would need similar manipulation. In the end it is just a lot easier and simpler to stretch the the roof.

[@vm722]

I went through a lot of the comments. I didn't see one saying. Put on a welding hood. Like VERY important safety device. Please

[@ratrodsafrica]

Are you a qualified KZbin safety inspector?

[@vm722]

@@ratrodsafrica Nowadays all you need is a computer and printer. And I can create myself any certificate .🤣

[@garycamara9955]

You can melt out most of the lead.

[@nom8er]

👍

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you!

[@barendjohannesclausen7605]

Hi Diff hier gaan ons alweer ,kwaai

[@ratrodsafrica]

😄lekka Barend!

[@stephenbrown571]

You should name the truck stitch’s

[@ratrodsafrica]

Would have been a great name, except those stitches find their way into all my builds! 😅

[@randykirchhevel7311]

So may I ask how come you did not chop the rear window frame with the top meaning that you kept the rear window frame the factory height but just dropped it down.

[@ratrodsafrica]

I like the visual impact. It doesnt look like a normal chop but yet it is lower... Also wanted to retain the original size for good rear visibility.

[@randykirchhevel7311]

@@ratrodsafrica nice

[@randykirchhevel7311]

I want to chop the roof on my 31 Model A coupe 2" just because I want to be able to get in it and don't want to sit on the floor boards. I got a middle row seat out of a Dodge Caravan which fits nice just need to modify the bottom so a guy can bolt it in place. I am putting it on Deuce rails and putting a 94-95 302 Ford out of Mustang GT which I got some 3 bar GT 40 heads that come mostly on 302 engines in the Cobra Mustangs I Also had them ported to match the offy intake which the guy put them on his airflow bench and said they flow nice. Also going a step up on the Roller cam which I bought a Jegs Roller cam which is right at 513 lift with 286-294 duration and a set of Ford OEM lifters. I am running a set of old school headers. It going to look like the Bonneville salt flat look.

[@EarlyIronAddict427]

Lekka Dude 👍🏻✌🏻🤟🏻

[@garycamara9955]

Why don't you melt the lead out, then grind it?

[@ratrodsafrica]

Yes, that would have been the proper way

[@tommcl8548]

👍👊