Chopped Top AE86

[Stealer Of Souls]

Okay. So I've got another AE85 at home and was thinking I would like to do something a little bit out there and different with it. And one of the ideas was to lower the roof, bit like a hot rod.
I'm thinking to take about 50-80m out of the roof height, but will aim to keep the rake of the front and rear windscreens at the same angle. So cut the pillars, then I'll have to extend the sections between the pillars so that everything starts to match up again.

Anyway, I get way ahead of myself.
Anyone have experience with chopping roofs? What things should I look out for, what are the likely things certifiers will be looking at. I haven't spoken to my intended certifier yet. I will, but I thought I'd pick the collective Toyspeed brain trust first to try and sort out some the issues ahead of time.

[Akane]

I suggest you sell me this AE85 and let me save it from being butchered.

kthx.

[HELBND]

if youre on the nzpc forums, you could try PM'ing Avgas - he seems to be right into the hot rod scene and could probably put you on to someone

[Caveman]

My dad used to chop roofs, did them in the garage at home. Its very time intensive.

Ill talk to him (probably be a few days)

[Chickenman]

I suggest you sell me this AE85 and let me save it from being butchered.

kthx.

Nah, go for it dude.. will look pretty different and be unique.


I'm all for historical preservation but some things must be done.

[RomanV]

A lot of time and effort, and it might end up looking ghey.

[Stealer Of Souls]

I suggest you sell me this AE85 and let me save it from being butchered.
kthx.

Nah, go for it dude.. will look pretty different and be unique.
I'm all for historical preservation but some things must be done.

Cheers. That's my thoughts too.
I could be convinced to sell the AE85 for some exorbantly ridiculous amount of money. And besides, there's enough people who are doing full restorations out there. Need something really unique...
If I was to do this I think it will look okay. And I reckon it'll be the only one in the country that has had that done to it.
Anyone good with photoshop who could mock it up to give me an idea of what it could look like. My photoshop skills are rather lacking...

A lot of time and effort, and it might end up looking ghey.

Might look ghey. Then again. Might look really good too.
It'll be good for drag reduction too. I'm thinking that this car will also be a dedicated race car. Drags, maybe drift. Definitely club work where possible.

[scope]

won't your head hit the roof?

[IH8TEC]

make a ute out of it

[wde_bdy]

Scope has a good point, pretty low roof line already. So count on lowering seats a bit for headroom. The biggest thing you have to worry about is the glass, all the metal work could be handled by most most competemt professionals for a pretty heft fee (not really a backyard type job) but the glass will really cost with no guarantee of success. I have plans for a roof chopped car but have adaptable glass from another version of that car to make life a lot easier. The AE85 probably isn't the best platform to go for but if its what you want make sure you have the skills and/or cash to see it through or save time and just burn a big pile of cash right now.

Callum

[wde_bdy]

make a ute out of it

Nah, tailgate is pretty tricky to get right on a hatchback.

Callum

[AE85coupe]

wow i thought the roofs were low already?? i'm short and with GTX seats in my trueno my head is really not far from the roof at all

i like the look of roof chops, especially on oldschool v8's

kinda dubious about how it will look on an ae85 though

[Akane]

see, most of the guys here are with me, sell....me...the....car.....

[XERO]

A lot of time and effort, and it might end up looking ghey.

Photoshop is your friend

[Stealer Of Souls]

see, most of the guys here are with me, sell....me...the....car.....

Make me an offer. If it's good enough I will consider it...

I don't think I would have too many issues with tallness. I've got some AE92 seats in my current ae85 (these sit me about 25mm higher than the original ae85 seats) and I've still got tons of head room (estimate about 100mm). I'm a real shorty. So I figure with some TRD sports seats (supposedly same seating height as standard ae86) I could chop out 50mm easily, m-a-y-b-e even up to 80mm without running out of room.

[Akane]

Levin Or Trueno?
hatch or notch?
rust?
WOF and Reg?
pics?

thx

[scope]

what is the point of chopping 50mm? i probably wouldn't even notice that.

[NA Drifter]

http://www.drifting.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=231&stc=1





I think it is sad...

[sergei]

It is very, very UGLY.

[scope]

It is very, very UGLY.

very