Were are you???? I did a thread on my chop. I can say you need to be able to weld very thin metal and you will need to know a lot about paint and body. It is very easy to chop a Fiero if you are an experienced body person I would not recommending trying it if you just know how to start the car and check the oil or rotate the tires. As money goes it is just all labor the only thing you would have to buy is the replacement glass. They look so good it is unreal the change this makes to the Fiero.
Were are you???? I did a thread on my chop. I can say you need to be able to weld very thin metal and you will need to know a lot about paint and body. It is very easy to chop a Fiero if you are an experienced body person I would not recommending trying it if you just know how to start the car and check the oil or rotate the tires. As money goes it is just all labor the only thing you would have to buy is the replacement glass. They look so good it is unreal the change this makes to the Fiero.
i'm in northwest ks, i was thinkin like a 1.5" chop... where would i get the glass after i chop it? i have a friend with a machine shop so it will be professionally welded just finding out everything i'd need to do it and how much it would cost me.
thanx
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05:38 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
I'm in Texas and I took my car to Chicago to be chopped
Really this is not a do it yourself kind of thing unless you are an experienced body and paint kind of person.
my dad worked in a body shop for 5 years.... i'll have plenty of help from ppl that know what they are doing and i'm not an idiot... lol
just want to know what i would need to do it myself(with help) and about how much it would cost me? and i dont have the $$ to take it that far to have someone else do it...
thanx!
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08:58 PM
slickrick2000 Member
Posts: 1369 From: Temecula, California Registered: Oct 2004
I'm going to have to look up F355spider's chop thread. Somehow I missed it.
I'm planning on doing my own chop in the future (if I ever get some time). To me what I think will be the most difficult is modifying the plastic inside the car. I.E. the pieces that go up the pillar inside the car.
I'm going to have to look up F355spider's chop thread. Somehow I missed it.
I'm planning on doing my own chop in the future (if I ever get some time). To me what I think will be the most difficult is modifying the plastic inside the car. I.E. the pieces that go up the pillar inside the car.
Everything else will be easy. Well almost.
i'd much rather work with plastic than metal/glass, but yeah that was another one of my ?'s shouldnt be too hard though, may aswell put in a roll cage while i'm at it huh? lol
You want to know whats involved in doing a choptop? well.. cutting the roof off, cutting out the sections that you want to chop it, laying back the window (Archies Method), then supergluing it all back together, and doing the same to the clip.
I've heard that you are suppose to work AROUND the windshield.. because having one made is pricey and hard. Meaning, having one made first, then choping it as the window seems fit.
Just from what I have picked up.
------------------ Custom Fiero Fiberglass
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12:43 AM
PFF
System Bot
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
The last 5 or 6 chop tops are show there in various stages of chop.
Then start visualizing what is done to make the chop...
1) The glass is all removed 2) rear clip, roof clip, door panels removed 3) interior removed 4) seats are lowered 5) The roof is cut off at the B pillars 6) the "A" pillars are leaned back 9 degrees 7) the rear roof is shortened and the B pillars leaned in 8) Everything is welded back together 9) The body panels are modified to fit 10) the interior trim pieces are installed (Archie has custom fiberglass pieces made for chopped cars) 11) the windshield, (stock) rear glass (custom) and side plexiglass are installed 12) sanded and primed ready for paint.
I might have left out a step or ten, but that is the basic idea. You might want to play around with photoshop and see how to do it there. I have photo chopped dozens of cars so I have the basic idea of how to do it. The devil is in the details though. Good luck
My Chop top thread is called (the Mutt gets chopped) I have it as a step by step process I'm actually using DOT approved glass, the first to do this. Archie uses plastic windows but he is the only one that I know of that advertises doing chop Fieros but any paint and body shop can do it if they would. I myself would not do it professionally unless I put the car back as factory this is why I worked so hard to get glass in my car. I'm very picky; As I said before all you need to chop a Fiero is the glass all other parts are just modified. I did my car in less than two weeks excluding the glass windows but there again I am having to wait on some one else but it will be worth it. I will help you any way I can just ask if you need it and please start a chop thread we love to see that kind off stuff here. I think my next step to my car will be suicide lambo doors because some one said they will not work. I love a challenge.
My Chop top thread is called (the Mutt gets chopped) I have it as a step by step process I'm actually using DOT approved glass, the first to do this. Archie uses plastic windows but he is the only one that I know of that advertises doing chop Fieros but any paint and body shop can do it if they would. I myself would not do it professionally unless I put the car back as factory this is why I worked so hard to get glass in my car. I'm very picky; As I said before all you need to chop a Fiero is the glass all other parts are just modified. I did my car in less than two weeks excluding the glass windows but there again I am having to wait on some one else but it will be worth it. I will help you any way I can just ask if you need it and please start a chop thread we love to see that kind off stuff here. I think my next step to my car will be suicide lambo doors because some one said they will not work. I love a challenge.
cool, thanx!
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02:14 PM
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
My Chop top thread is called (the Mutt gets chopped) I have it as a step by step process I'm actually using DOT approved glass, the first to do this. Archie uses plastic windows but he is the only one that I know of that advertises doing chop Fieros but any paint and body shop can do it if they would. I myself would not do it professionally unless I put the car back as factory this is why I worked so hard to get glass in my car. I'm very picky; As I said before all you need to chop a Fiero is the glass all other parts are just modified. I did my car in less than two weeks excluding the glass windows but there again I am having to wait on some one else but it will be worth it. I will help you any way I can just ask if you need it and please start a chop thread we love to see that kind off stuff here. I think my next step to my car will be suicide lambo doors because some one said they will not work. I love a challenge.
You know, I'm getting pretty well tired of you taking a shot at me in just about every post you make in the many threads you have about your dog.
Maybe you should find a way to make a post without putting down someone elses' work. After all I've got 18 completed chops (& 18 happy customers) & you've got 1 that isn't done yet.
A short time before you started on the Mutt project you were asking in another thread if I'd tell you how to do a chop. Every since then you've been taking shots at me in virtually every post you make & it's getting old.
In your Mutt thread you say that your chop is 4" yet in the thread where you're looking to do windows for others' you say they'll fit in a 3" chop. I've seen your Mutt thread & the way you chopped that top is not even close to the way I do mine. Your windows, if they do manage to fit your car, will not fit mine. The way you chopped your car has a different angle on the "A" pillar & a different height/shape along the top. I could just let you go & make 15 sets of windows then tell you this but I don't want you & your wonderful windows disappointing my customers who believe you when you say they'll fit & who will be screwed when your group buy produces windows that don't fit.
And you know what, thanks to you taking shots at me everytime you turn around, I'm gonna get 20 or 30 sets of windows made up that WILL actually FIT my chops. And guess what, I'll put up my own money to get those windows made. No group buy here, people won't have to risk their money on windows that might not fit. I won't sell them to people until I actually have them & have proven that they fit.
Archie
------------------ The New Home of V-8 Archie
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02:48 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
You know, I'm getting pretty well tired of you taking a shot at me in just about every post you make in the many threads you have about your dog.
Maybe you should find a way to make a post without putting down someone elses' work. After all I've got 18 completed chops (& 18 happy customers) & you've got 1 that isn't done yet.
A short time before you started on the Mutt project you were asking in another thread if I'd tell you how to do a chop. Every since then you've been taking shots at me in virtually every post you make & it's getting old.
In your Mutt thread you say that your chop is 4" yet in the thread where you're looking to do windows for others' you say they'll fit in a 3" chop. I've seen your Mutt thread & the way you chopped that top is not even close to the way I do mine. Your windows, if they do manage to fit your car, will not fit mine. The way you chopped your car has a different angle on the "A" pillar & a different height/shape along the top. I could just let you go & make 15 sets of windows then tell you this but I don't want you & your wonderful windows disappointing my customers who believe you when you say they'll fit & who will be screwed when your group buy produces windows that don't fit.
And you know what, thanks to you taking shots at me everytime you turn around, I'm gonna get 20 or 30 sets of windows made up that WILL actually FIT my chops. And guess what, I'll put up my own money to get those windows made. No group buy here, people won't have to risk their money on windows that might not fit. I won't sell them to people until I actually have them & have proven that they fit.
Archie
For one I do not take shots at you in every post but I notice you like to talk trash when others don’t get their projects finished. You are just upset because you know I'm right. Do I like you (NO) did you sell me junk (YES). Do you think I have to kiss your knuckle dragging A$$ (NO) After finding out were I got my glass made now you can get them made (kind of like you did on the V8 kit hum!) yes I say go for it will help your customers get a better Quality job. Again you were not the first; just taking over after some one else does the hard part. There you go again saying something will not work without knowing for sure, you are good at that.
You really sound childish here and we all know you do not want a group buy because you will not make any money off of them. I'm sure you hated my thread because it helps others that want to do the work themselves and I do like being able to help other Fiero owners make their cars into a work of art. I'm not out to make money of them I just want to help them save money like a friend would help other friends.
I did re read what I wrote and I do not see it as taking a shot at you I just said you use plastic windows and that is the truth but I guess the truth does hurt hu Archie!
Archie I wish you would read what you wrote it does sound bad you try to make my car out to be not finished and junk and we all know I'm waiting on my glass windows and that is it well I have to paint it but I have other mods to do first but if every one was to read what you write you do what you say I do to you. If you think you are hurting me buy trying to stop my group buy on the windows I already have mine made so you are just hurting the other members here that have an opportunity to get them at cost and not your jacked up price you would charge. Heck you are so bad you will not even sell your windows to the do it your self’ers because you don’t get to do the work. I do not know what you tried to prove but as I say again this was un called for and you are only making yourself look bad and I think me posting my build thread and other threads is my right as a member here and you do not have the right to tell others that do not kiss your A$$ not to help other members out by stating the truth.
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06:06 PM
Firefox Member
Posts: 4307 From: New Berlin, Wisconsin Registered: Feb 2003
........you do not have the right to tell others that do not kiss your A$$ not to help other members out by stating the truth.
Hmmm........if I read the previous post correctly, he didn't tell you to not assist others that are interested in windows. He asked you not to take shots at him. That's it. You might want to reread what he posted, then apologize. You're the one who looks childish here, not Archie. " That crap Lexan " as you put it? As for him going out and possibly making windows, why are you crying? Why should you worry about " your jacked up price you would charge "? If that's the case, then your windows would certainly sell out fast, wouldn't they? If nothing else, Archie would be helping you out with your sales. But, if you are going to suggest that Archie isn't helping out fellow Fiero owners, he also explained that those with chops done by him are different, and that the windows that you are making won't work. You accuse him of not helping out people, yet you are going to sell a set of windows to chop owners that have chops your windows won't work in. Who's the idiot here? It certainly isn't Archie. Sell your windows to those that cannot use them. They won't fit, but you don't care. Way to go, there, Sport.
The truth does hurt, doesn't it?
Mark
[This message has been edited by Firefox (edited 10-20-2005).]
I'm sorry your thread got high jacked I just hope I helped you out before I got attacked. If you have any additional questions please ask I will help you through it if needed.
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10:23 PM
Firefox Member
Posts: 4307 From: New Berlin, Wisconsin Registered: Feb 2003
Pro glass in illinois will make you custom lexan windows to fit with polished edges for $400. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/033921-2.html also since everyone jumped on the archie bandwagen all of a sudden, here is the thread where he had every excuse in the world about why glass won't fit. i guess all those issues magically dis-appeared. i also remember someone asking, if archie did make them if they will fit all chops? no answer was given. it's really sad around here sometimes. i hope people respect who got it done first. and for anyone who cares, i doubt you could go to the junkyard and get a set of stock windows to fit in a stock car and get them to fit without adjustment.
........here is the thread where he had every excuse in the world about why glass won't fit. i guess all those issues magically dis-appeared. i also remember someone asking, if archie did make them if they will fit all chops? no answer was given........
If you go back and read that thread, Archie gives reasons why the extra thickness of the glass doesn't work on his chops. The reasons didn't magically disappear as those are the reasons that he didn't make any windows out of glass. Also, since your chop is different from Archie's, how would a window from his chops fit yours? Different dimensions, different angles......that's simple logic.
Why is it that you guys all come down on Archie? He's been doing this a long time, and just because you don't like the way he does it doesn't mean that you can't do it your way. Archie doesn't use glass at this time because of the clearance and scratching issues as he stated. You don't like that? Fine. Do it your way or go find someone that will do it your way. If all you are going to complain about his chops is the lack of an actual glass window, then he's doing a pretty good job and has quite a few satisfied customers. Don't jump on his back because he does things his way. I do a bit of work for Archie and I've gotten to know him pretty well, along with being involved with some of his most exotic cars and how they are done. You guys go right ahead and offer a chop top to anyone that wants one. You can offer glass windows if you can make them fit, and you can offer any other modification that you like. It's a free world, isn't it? Take on the customers, take on the projects, and do your best to put him out of business. It seems to be what you want.
I'll stand behind Archie. He and his guys to excellent work, and I'm proud to be associated with him and his guys. They go out of their way to take care of people, even the whiny crybabys that need help if they really ask. He's in business and does a damn good job of it, and even though not everyone likes him or respects him, I'll stand by him and his products and services.
I would have to take archies side on this one as well... Hes done so many chops that he really knows his stuff.. Plus he has always helped out the community. Its nice that you are making your own chop but, after reading all of this, I really don't see why archie is such a bad guy ....
------------------ Custom Fiero Fiberglass
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01:36 AM
joshua riedl Member
Posts: 1426 From: watertown wi USA Registered: Jan 2004
i never said archie didn't do good work. as a matter of fact on several occasions i stuck up for him and his price, actually saying his price was low. you guys just pick and choose what you really want to hear. even though i never measured, i look at the GBCT and the roof line looks different to his current chops. all windows will need adjustment, and it isn't fair for any of you to say they won't work.
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11:12 AM
Firefox Member
Posts: 4307 From: New Berlin, Wisconsin Registered: Feb 2003
i never said archie didn't do good work. as a matter of fact on several occasions i stuck up for him and his price, actually saying his price was low. you guys just pick and choose what you really want to hear. even though i never measured, i look at the GBCT and the roof line looks different to his current chops. all windows will need adjustment, and it isn't fair for any of you to say they won't work.
You never measured, but it looks different. Try measuring once. Yes, all windows will need adjustment, but when the angles themselves are different, the cutting of the roof is different, and the weld points are different, the total package is different. It isn't fair for you to say that they will work because when you have a different set of dimensions, one piece will not fit both scenarios.
Please do not accuse me of picking and chosing what I hear. I have already explained my association to Archie so no one can accuse me of hiding anything, but I pointed out certain aspects of the posts. That's it. I did not take anything out of context, so for you to say that I'm only hearing what I want is false.
As for the windows, good luck. If they fit, great. You get your glass windows and you guys are happy. That's what matters in the end, unless you have a different agenda. But, measure carefully. It might be a very expensive mistake.
Mark
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01:59 PM
joshua riedl Member
Posts: 1426 From: watertown wi USA Registered: Jan 2004
You never measured, but it looks different. Try measuring once. Yes, all windows will need adjustment, but when the angles themselves are different, the cutting of the roof is different, and the weld points are different, the total package is different. It isn't fair for you to say that they will work because when you have a different set of dimensions, one piece will not fit both scenarios.
Please do not accuse me of picking and chosing what I hear. I have already explained my association to Archie so no one can accuse me of hiding anything, but I pointed out certain aspects of the posts. That's it. I did not take anything out of context, so for you to say that I'm only hearing what I want is false.
As for the windows, good luck. If they fit, great. You get your glass windows and you guys are happy. That's what matters in the end, unless you have a different agenda. But, measure carefully. It might be a very expensive mistake.
Mark
Maybe we believe he lives in the land of the lost and if he cannot do it; he says it cannot be done. Any one that has been around cars knows that if you can dream it; it can be done. Any one knows that you never say never because there is some one out there that will prove you wrong. He does like to attack people that show off their abilities and have an imagination all you have to do is read and like said not just read what you want to. I have never tried to sell any one windows that will not fit I have over and over said how cautious I was about making sure they would work before I would do it. I was even going to have them bought at a glass shop just to let every one know they could buy them from a business and not an individual. I paid for my windows and thought what the heck while the tooling for them is made why not let others jump in and get them cheap. It all boils down to I did what he has not been able to do and he has tried because there are post with him talking about it and this makes him angry so he calls my car names that are not what it is called and tries to put it down like it is junk and not finished. If any one is taking shots it is he. He inspired me to do my chop after I read him bad mouthing another forum member about it being a year since he started and asking if it was out back in the weeds. I could not believe he wrote that and said it was time to chop the Mutt. We all work hard on our cars and we have to budget our money and it might take two years to finish but we work at our pace so he clams my car is not finished heck who’s is? I think very few people stop, most all of us keep building the perfect beast. I still think the windows might work and will find some one with one of his chops to find out. I have never said they will for a fact but he tries to influence every one to believe they will not with no proof they wont. I'm not going to post anymore about this but I will find out for sure and yes I will have suicide lambo doors and yes just because it was said they would not work but what is wrong with that? How the heck can you say it will be a costly mistake I have already said they would be less than 200 bucks. I spent over 400 on lexan that was crap and did not want to use because it was not to my standard. Dude you really need to read things through and stop trying to help Archie discredit people that can get done what he can not or does not want to do.
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09:57 PM
exoticse Member
Posts: 8655 From: Orlando, Fl Registered: Jun 2003
when you cut the b-pillar, cut above the seatbelt bolt and then you can just trim the top of the inner panel and use a heat gun to bend it into place. the a-pillar just took a little trimming. the quarter windows i made out of lexan. i painted the back so you can't see through and cut out the original piece with the pontiac symbol and used butly rope to stick it on. i like the way it came out.
Wow way to hijack a thread guys! I started reading hoping to find a bunch of useful information on chopping the top of a fiero but instead I seem to be reading a Kindergarten class fight of "my dad can beat up your dad". Truly fantastic! I don't even want to get into it Archie you do great work I've liked all of it I've seen, F355 your Kit car looks amazing I'd love to own it but the fact of the matter is you both look like 5 year olds and so do you Firefox, if Archie wants to get into it with F355 then the two of them can handle it in PM's no one else wants to hear it and certainly he doesn't need you to stick up for him. His work is great and so is f355's who cares who copied who, imitation is the best form of appreciation. If it works be honored that someone else liked it enough to do it to their own cars. Anyways like I said I don't want to get into it the last thing this thread needs is for somone else to offer an unwelcome opinion about an off topic subject. In response to the original thread, Chopping the top is entirely dependant of your own confidence, determination and skill. No one else can judge your capabilities for you. For some changing the head unit is hard and for others it's a breeze. Sounds to me like you have access to the experience even if you yourself don't have it. I won't say it's easy and you should definatly read F355's thread on this for what's involved in depth (definatly the most desctiptive and helpful I've seen)but with experienced body shop guys available to you I'd say go ahead just remember the window problem what ever way you go. It sucks driving in the rain without them. Keep posting what ever you do, I also live to far away from anyone offering this service so the more information out there the better.
[This message has been edited by Beene (edited 11-15-2005).]
Archie: I do choptops. F355: Well I can too, watch me. Archie: You can't make glass replacement windows. F355: I can too. Archie: They won't fit. F355: *glass installed* neener neener neener. Archie: Stop stealing my business. F355: You had your chance to make glass windows, but passed.
Back on the choptop topic, I made a post in the mutt choptop thread, and I think I've got the pic down,
quote
Originally posted by ryan.hess:
Just want to back up for a minute to see if I understand the big picture...
So you notched the bottom of the A-pillars to drop the windshield back. You notched the top of the A-pillars so you could bend the roof back to level. You cut the chop amount out of the B-pillars, and cut the roof length whatever necessary so it doesn't overlap with the metal already there...
Note that the B pillars are also moved in towards the centerline of the car... I think.
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10:47 PM
Nov 26th, 2005
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
Note that the B pillars are also moved in towards the centerline of the car... I think.
Yes they are. That is one challenge to getting the windows to fit properly. Whether they are made of glass or lexan they have to angle in more than stock. With no window frame to guide them it becomes tricky to "train" them to go in exactly the right spot.
just finding out everything i'd need to do it and how much it would cost me.
Pencil me in for two sets.
