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cutting down a chassis
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 2:27 am
by Norman
I wanted to cut down my chassis on my old is new car. I was looking a few cars on here with cut down chassis and was wondering if there is like a template or something that you can go by to make it perfect.
it would be my first cut chassis and i dont want to destroy it by cutting it wrong.
i like the way this one is cut and would like to cut mine similar to it
(nvxwax old is new)
thanks
nvxwax - sorry for not asking you if i could use your photo. if you want it down just let me know.
Re: cutting down a chassis
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:49 am
by a01butal
I don't know of any templates to cut the sides of the chassis. I think if you just set the chassis on a flat surface and and use a ruler to mark the height of the sides at different spots you can use the straight edge to draw your cut lines. I would use duct tape to mask off where you don't want any marks on the good portion of the chassis and then cut away. Maybe even double up on the duct tape just to be safe in case you slip with the dremel.
Re: cutting down a chassis
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:22 pm
by RJK33
Use masking tape and a scale to create your cut lines. After that I'd mount the chassis to a piece of wood and lock the wood in a vise. This will keep the chassis secure while you dremel.
Kooz!
Re: cutting down a chassis
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 4:59 pm
by nvxwax
No problem Norman,
I actually got that car from (bigjeepzz), He did all the tub work and custom parts
I have cut down a tub or two, Like the other guys said, Use tape to protect what you want to keep, The more tape the better, When i cut them down i cut about 1/16 -1/8 inch from the line, Then went back with a file to clean it all up, takes forever....
Re: cutting down a chassis
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 6:45 pm
by klavy69
if you have access to a belt sander/grinder you will save yourself a ton of time, effort and frustration. Otherwise like the others have said I have put several layers of electrical tape on to keep from dremel marking the sides The electrical tape makes for a crisper line to follow but not has HD as duct tape so 3-4 layers of it.
Todd
Re: cutting down a chassis
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:16 pm
by rc10johnny
Here's mine....

Re: cutting down a chassis
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:06 pm
by Charlie don't surf
Make sure to leave 20mm worth of aluminum at the lowest point (widest part of the tub) then make a straight edge from that point to the nose tube mount, then to the rear triangle mount. If you cut it so there is less than 20mm remaining, you will have to brace it if you want to run it-
Re: cutting down a chassis
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:39 pm
by LTO_Dave
I cut one side after covering it with blue painter's tape and made the cutline with a sharpie. Then I used clear contact paper and traced the line I just cut, then used the contact paper as a pattern for the other side to keep the cuts the same.
I cleaned everything up with a file, dremel and sandpaper until it looked straight and even on both sides. I didn't care about scratching the anodizing because it went straight to the sandblaster then I powdercoated it. There's no way I could keep a tub as clean as some of you guys do while cutting them.

Re: cutting down a chassis
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 10:07 pm
by rc10johnny
Hmmmmmmm,me like the chromies....

Re: cutting down a chassis
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 12:22 am
by Norman
alright i think i got it.
thanks for all the info. luckily i have a extra chassis in case i mess it up.
i think i might try it tomorrow.
Re: cutting down a chassis
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 6:25 pm
by Norman
nevermind not going to do it any more. i dont want to mess it up haha.
Re: cutting down a chassis
Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 7:04 am
by nvxwax
Norman wrote:nevermind not going to do it any more. i dont want to mess it up haha.
lol, did it go wrong? You can always get other members to help ya out..
Re: cutting down a chassis
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 3:35 pm
by littleVETTE
really no big deal to cut it up. if you have a pneumatic "pizza" cutter, vise, and a little patience, you could pull it off. you could get away with it also with a dremel and a appropiate cutting wheel. just measure what you want taken away, mark the line with a strip of masking tape to keep the line straight, figure out where you want to stop the cut and make a steep line up back to the top of tub. use your dremel and file to clean up the cut lines edges.
make sure you wear a mask and goggles. because it gets nasty to have that crap going into your eyes and lungs.
Re: cutting down a chassis
Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 1:12 pm
by Johnboy72
Re: cutting down a chassis
Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 1:28 pm
by GoMachV
That's not a lot of side left, I'd sure brace it if it's a runner