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chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
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Author:  Ox_ [ Tue Jul 02, 2013 10:54 pm ]
Post subject:  chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
Hey guys i'm kick'n off my second Suzuki build for the year and this ones more about the challenge, I've got hold of a hard top SWB Suzuki and i'm planning on cutting it down to a flat tray - have any of you guys got pics of your Suzuki chop projects I could check out for reference?

Cheers,

Ox_
Author:  Teracis [ Tue Jul 02, 2013 11:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
There are a lot of these around, check the rigs section, a lot of people don't like the look of a SWB ute chop, it appears to be a very divisive subject.
If you are looking for ideas, maybe take some pictures of what you have, start a build thread in the rigs section, and post pics and updates as you go, this place is very active and often have some VERY good suggestions. Chopping a hard top into a ute will be a lot of work, make sure you do a lot of looking at pictures and reading before you fire up the grinder!
Author:  just_cruizin [ Wed Jul 03, 2013 5:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
Just buy the one for sale at the moment, heaps easier and the hard work is done with enough left to qualify as a challenge
Author:  Critical Energy [ Wed Jul 03, 2013 9:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
There's a couple of LWB tray back utes on eBay at the mo real cheap, might be easier starting with them and changing stuff off your SWB
Author:  Ox_ [ Wed Jul 03, 2013 9:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
Guy's I already own a trick LWB WT Flat tray Suzuki - and what would be the fun in buying one already done - the whole idea of doing these projects is the challenge.
I'm a fitter by trade and pretty confident in doing the work.
Author:  Fatzook [ Wed Jul 03, 2013 10:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
Sounds like you don't really need any help mate.

What is it that you are unsure about?
Author:  atari4x4 [ Wed Jul 03, 2013 10:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
just don't chop a hi top. :gross:
Image
Author:  Ox_ [ Thu Jul 04, 2013 3:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
Was just wanting to check out some pics of what others had done Fatzook, and see exactly where they'd made there cuts etc;.
Thanks for the pic Atari 4x4
Author:  want33s [ Thu Jul 04, 2013 5:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
Ox_ wrote:
Was just wanting to check out some pics of what others had done Fatzook, and see exactly where they'd made there cuts etc;.
Thanks for the pic Atari 4x4


This will be good.... :lol:

The job is a LOT harder to get right than it first seems.

Pics below from a members build thread.
Image
Image

Do a search on sites like Pirate4x4 and you'll find a heap more pics showing the cuts needed down the length of the roof to get the curve right at the new join.
Author:  Ox_ [ Thu Jul 04, 2013 3:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
An extra cab that looks different, thanks mate ill check on pirate 4x4's - cheers.
Author:  atari4x4 [ Thu Jul 04, 2013 3:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
IMO Make sure the extra cab window is larger than the C pillar, it's an aesthetics thing & that chop would look better if the window was larger.
Author:  want33s [ Thu Jul 04, 2013 4:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
IMHO the whole side window needs to be cut out BEFORE the cab is cut and shut.
Then you can resize the window and refit it it with equal sized panel in front and behind it.
Author:  Fatzook [ Thu Jul 04, 2013 6:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
Ox_ wrote:
Was just wanting to check out some pics of what others had done Fatzook,



Are you keeping it as a SWB or pushing the wheelbase out for a longer tray?

The only piece of advise I can offer is to extend the wheelbase, and fill in the portion of rear wheel arch that is kept. Anything else looks like a hatchet job.
Author:  Ox_ [ Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
I'm planning on keeping it as a SWB, it's going to be a full time off road vehicle with a commodore V6 + Auto + set 32's and an A frame for towing
Author:  Gwagensteve [ Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
Awesome.
Author:  atari4x4 [ Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
EDIT: ^^^^ :rofl:


it's going to look wonky with 32's & a trayback swb :(
Author:  Gwagensteve [ Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
Best of luck with your build. I won't comment on the aesthetics, apparently you can't comment on aesthetics on this board without getting smashed by the bandwagonners, but don't you think 305Nm might be easier to control offroad with a little more wheelbase?

Steve.
Author:  Fatzook [ Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
I built one years ago with V6/auto/75series transfer/bundy diffs. It had just under 100" wheelbase, and IMO it was too short. And with your proposed combo, you'd be mad not to do hilux diffs (or 60 series) with 35"+ tyres.
Author:  jono165 [ Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
I don't think a hard top is a very good base to cut up. The structure of the body is different to a soft top tub. Hardtops look so much cooler low with big tyres anyway, but that's my opinion. Steve will be able to comment more than I can but if 60 series diffs were chosen then the car will be quite square without more wheelbase, there's a car in the vic club on 60 series diffs from this years adventure tour, not to mention the front heaviness of a commodore v6 in a swb.
Author:  Matthew [ Thu Jul 04, 2013 9:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
Why would you put such small tyres on something dedicated to trails?

If you wanna do something different with a hardtop, run it low with 36's and lower the roofline hot rod style.
Author:  Ox_ [ Sat Jul 06, 2013 12:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
Some of the reply's have been informative thanks but others I don't even know why you bother - mate If I wanted to build a bloody hot rod I wouldn't be on a Suzuki forum - if your in to hot rods mate you go right ahead and build what ever you like and I wont judge or comment - please if you have information / Pics that may help me with my build please comment and let me know but if your not interested in or don't agree with what i'm doing I DONT WANT TO HERE FROM U - Cheers OX_ :-)
Author:  atari4x4 [ Sat Jul 06, 2013 12:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
mate i'm not sure how else to say this but it's a shit idea to do it without doing some sort of wheel base extension.... people that know better are saying it's a shit idea & i strongly advise you take it on board as you'll end up building a POS no matter what you fab skill level is, a shit idea is a shit idea even when it's covered in glitter & gold.

what are you plans for a transfercase? i don't think the suzuki one will last that long with a dunnydore motor infront of it & you'll need one with an offset rear output to line up with the offset rear pumpkin.

what are your plans for a tail shaft as the the V6 + auto combo is going to be pretty long? maybe use the old jack shaft as that's about how long it will be.

what are you plans for the suzuki diffs, going cromo's & full float rear?
Author:  Matthew [ Sat Jul 06, 2013 10:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
I was unaware that a roof chop meant you were building a hot rod. I thought what it meant was that you were slightly lowering the c.o.g., increasing the amount of side angle you can put the vehicle on before the roof will hit an embankment, and decreasing the likelihood of pillar deformation when you do drag the roofline along an embankment.
Author:  Marko_SJ [ Sat Jul 06, 2013 11:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
Matthew wrote:

run it low


Matthew wrote:
lower the roofline hot rod style.



:lol: Not alluding to hot rods at all
Author:  Gwagensteve [ Sat Jul 06, 2013 3:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
This is a forum, not a customer service hotline. "Hello? This is the I want to stuff up my suzuki help desk - the customer is always right!"

Image

I think Matthew was just implying a chop like a hot rod, not that the OP wanted to build one.

In any case, it's a little while since we had one of these threads on here. OX_, you'll notice that many people think what you are planning is a dumb idea. You've asked for pictures, here's some photos of SWB tray backs.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Personally, they make me throw up in my mouth a bit, but each to their own on the aesthetics. Functionally, I don't think they make the car better in any way, so it's a lot of work for the sake of a lot of work. However, once again, each to their own, and you have some photos now.

You also asked for "information" - so here's my 2C worth.

The bigger problem with what you're planning is that I assume you are planning on something to drive offroad, and a SWB car on 32's with a V6 and a stock wheelbase is going to suck. It's actually likely to be less capable than a standard sierra with transfer gears and 32's, and that's when it's not broken, which will be often.

my guess is that you're going to cut the back off the car, swing the V6/auto in, then realise it won't fit, and end up with a mess that's advertised here as an unfinished project in about 6 months, and I think that's because you are starting at the wrong end of the project. I think you need to start with a proper build plan - choose a tyre, a wheelbase, and axles that will offer some reliability with your planned driveline. What configuration the body ends up to achieve that is quite secondary. If you are using the driveline to its potential, the body is going to be pretty trashed soon in any case.

Personally, This is what an "off road only" cut SWB would look like if I was building it:

Image

But you could also argue that Mick's 11_evl is a cut SWB too, and it's even running a V6. It's far from a stock SWB with a V6 in it though.

Image

Image

But maybe they're not to your taste.

Good luck with the build.

Steve.
Author:  Matthew [ Sat Jul 06, 2013 4:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
Something like this, with the roof lowered to taste, and the wheel base stretched is what I was getting at.

Image
Author:  pezz [ Sat Jul 06, 2013 6:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
my old rig....
Image
Imagep.s. dont do it...
full body is where its at
Author:  Ox_ [ Sun Jul 07, 2013 8:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
thanks for all the info, Maybe a chassis is the go, as for driveline gear I've been talking with a few people who have done this conversion and they used hilux diffs and an early model patrol transfer case.
Author:  bazook [ Mon Oct 21, 2013 9:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
theres heaps of info on here but the tin top is really hard to keep straight, id never do it again hense the soft top after selling that tin chop
Image

Image
Author:  jonno_racing [ Mon Oct 21, 2013 9:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: chopping a hard top into a ute or flat tray
that blue soft top/maruti/cut is porn tho! however not a tin top
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