CHOPPED TOPS = DEATH TRAP...roof escape.

[Mai Ki-Ki]

Ok, I'm planning my new PickUp Projects atm...getting ready to collect bits and pieces...And since it will sport about a 6 or so inch chop on a 38 ford cab, was Wondering how many of you guys could actually get out of your rod if you had a bad enough accident to jam the doors shut on impact..

It happened here in OZ not that long ago, and we lost two local rodders to a fire.

Just food for thought...I sure as hell couldn't slide out throught the side windows of most rods....

anyone else have roof escape kinda things?????

cheers
MAIKI

[Tinbender]

I'd be fucked.
Of course with most of the chops I've seen around here (Spokane) the roof would come off if it got hit hard at all http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[PEDDRO]

roof insert maybe?

[Mai Ki-Ki]

Yeah forgot to say, thats what i'll be running...a pop out roof insert....

MAIKI

[Spike!]

I often thought about that. My five window has a 6" chop and there is no way in Hell I could fit through any one of the five without an accident.. At least I wouldn't ever fly through the windshield... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Spike

[abe lugo]

If you have pre 37 cab you can use the windshield escape routeen,
I'd reinforce the cab if your worried about it.
IN OZ can you reall drive your rods at 150mph in the open roads?

[Lurkin Nate]

Jeez roadeters are sounding like a good idea. A snap down insert or a sliding section of some sort would do the trick and nice for sunny days.

[Mai Ki-Ki]

I'll be running only say 7 inches of windsheild..even if i kicked that out, my sorry ass 'aint getting out!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[Brootal]

The accident that Maiki is referring to did not involve excessive speed. The car clipped a tree which tore the front left wheel off, it then ended up against a fence.

The passenger's door could not be opened because the body was resting on the ground (RHD remember) and the driver's door was hard up against a fence.

I've always liked the look of a roof insert myself, although, you then have the added danger of debris getting into the passenger compartment in the event of a rollover.

I think the trick is to just not have an accident!

[quickrod]

if your really worried about it,you could put a"funny car" type hatch that hinges forward and latches closed from the inside with a dzus type fastener .man you dudes in wanker land must drive them things with the pedal through the fire walls huh?......cool..........quickrod

[Chevy]

[ QUOTE ]
if your really worried about it,you could put a"funny car" type hatch that hinges forward and latches closed from the inside with a dzus type fastener .man you dudes in wanker land must drive them things with the pedal through the fire walls huh?......cool..........quickrod

[/ QUOTE ]

Quickrod,
What do you mean 'Wanker land' you fool? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[Mai Ki-Ki]

You hold him CHEVY, and i'll "werk him over".

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[Kojack]

Never really thought about that... having so chopped of a top you couldn't get out in a accident. I think, in most cases other then that roadster being pinned on both sides, is worring about that doors flying open in an accident and flying you out of the car. Most folks I know with older cars don't have seat belts, and those pre 60's cars don't have the safety door latches to keep them from flying open in a crash...

[old beet]

I'm sure if you crashed bad, your escape route would'nt be damaged. Build a roadster.......OLDBEET

[sedan_dad]

Gee wiz Mai-Ki-Ki,maybe you should give up on the hotrod idea and get a fucking VOLVO.

[Mai Ki-Ki]

Volvo's are much harder to chop.

So thats just a silly idea.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[Mai Ki-Ki]

and BEET.

If i built a roadster, my hair would get mushed.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[Kojack]

But Volvos are so cool!

[Brootal]

I don't think the "Wanker Land" post was meant to be derogatory, just more of an indication that he knows that we use the word down here. Whether he knows what it means is a different matter. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Like oldbeet said. Build a roadster. I like it. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Mai Ki-Ki]

It will be sweeter than a roadster!

38 ford pick up roadsters look silly.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[quickrod]

i got a buddy who lived in melbourne but moved here about 8-10 years ago,now he's a bonifided us citizen.anyhow,he' gets hammerd and starts callin us "bloody wankers"all the time kinda funny i think he's a good dude loves the magpies too whatever that means.anyhow,he says all us guys he rolls with here should go to australia cause the chicks love american men might be worth lookin into http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Greezy]

I can see your point on wanting a safe way out in case of a bad wreck. The thing that would bother me the most is the steering column imapaling me. I figure if your car is piled up enuff that you cant get the doors open you probly wouldnt be in any condition to get yourself out anyway. Just an observation. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Mai Ki-Ki]

Answer to that...as LOWSQUIRE says..COWL STEERING!

[Chevy]

Fair enough quickrod. We've been called a lot of things. I just hadnt heard that one before. Nuf said http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Anyway back to Maiki's safety cell. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Psychobilly Boi]

Hey kats,

Just my $0.02 to the post - i think what happend with the rodders that past away earlier this year was a bit of a freak accident. to have both doors jammed is a rare occurance...and i think in reality its not likely to happen too often...after all a rod can rest only on one side at a time. i think a roof insert would be a good way to get out in a hurry...

just a note here: wasnt the fact that the car involved in the acident had shaved door handles add to the fact no one could get them out? im not sure if this is true or rumour.

i guess it comes down to risk and your willingness to accept a certain lever. a rod will never be as safe as a moden car...but it doesnt have to be a death trap either. its the level of compromise every has to end up with...

danny

[=mike=]

luckily i have two extra doors to get out of . either that or i can kick my way out if the trunk http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[choprods]

The part about the chop and door handles being removed happened here in Mo, several years ago . Seems a young guy in a model a-[chopped] [with removed handles], ran off the road rendering him unconsious/The car burnt ,with him in it- cause no one could open the doors or get him out. This story is the basis for the "streetmasters"[Mexico Mo] CAR CLUBS- MEMORIAL SHOW[ NOW INTO ITS 3O YEARS] OR SO. I will no longer remove the handles on a car I build here as a result of my personal fears of such a thing happening- and also in this day of liability concerns.

[Rocknrod]

This is an eye opener post...

Of course I've heard of guys dieing from suitcases laying in the back seat hitting em in the head in fender benders too... So a lil bit of safety might help in all areas... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[quickrod]

you know someone's gonna say it sooner or later so here it goes:if it's your time to go it's your time.personally,if i worried about gettin hurt everytime i made a pass or took a putt,it just would'nt be as much fun or relaxing as it is,but by all means,if YOU feel more comfortable with an escape hatch,then you should definetly do it cause life's to short to stress....ya know me mate?

[FEDER]

Well what the Fuck did ya have to bring that up for anyway?
I have NEVER thought about that !! Ill never look at a chopped car the same now.-Feder

[Tinbender]

Hot rods are dangerous?!!!!!? Now what am I gonna do?!?

[lowsquire]

top? whats that?huhuhuhuh.

[SamIyam]

I guess I'd be screwed if I rolled the roach rod over 'cause the doors are welded shut! How will I get out if it's upside down!!??
Sam.

[quickrod]

yea fuck,your right,shit...now i gotta put a 12 pointcage,airbags,discbrakes,and crush bumpers on my T.....FUCK!!

[Assdragger]

Hey Kenny, The Mexico show is no more! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif It takes alot to put on a good show and I think they were all burned out.

[Mai Ki-Ki]

Just making a point guys...If it dosen't seem like common sense to you... no probs...I didn't realise a removable roof insert would be considered wussy...


signed

MAIKI ("i don't wanna die) KI.

Now back to my Bubble

[Fat Hack]

Don't put a floor in it...gives you an easy way out...as well as a functional 'trash port'!!

[Brootal]

[ QUOTE ]
... i think he's a good dude loves the magpies too whatever that means.

[/ QUOTE ]

It means he's a Collingwood Football Club supporter and therefore universally hated by everyone else in Australia except other Magpie supporters. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Next time you see him say... "Carn the Blues!!!"

That'll get him going. LOL

[quickrod]

brootal,will do http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gifhe also says you got some dude down there named "chopper reed?"sposed to be some crazy badass or something?and oh yea maiki-ki,im just bustin balls,actually any idea is a good one in one way or another ain't it? run with it bro.

[choprods]

so Assdragger- I didnt know they[streetmasters] gave it up- It was at least 25 years of that Mexico show though right?The Buzzards at Macon have done that old run that long and we were started after them as a club..........

[Leon]

[ QUOTE ]
The part about the chop and door handles being removed happened here in Mo, several years ago . Seems a young guy in a model a-[chopped] [with removed handles], ran off the road rendering him unconsious/The car burnt ,with him in it- cause no one could open the doors or get him out.

[/ QUOTE ]

What do you do with the modern "safer" cars that lock the doors as soon as you drive forward? Half the cars sold new have that feature. A rock can be used to unlock a door to get them out.

[Bigcheese327]

Just don't run seatbelts. That way you'll hit the steering column and get impaled. Escape won't even be a worry then. Plus all the Rockasillies will think you're hardcore.

[Jkustom]

Ive thought about this for a long time. I think it just comes down to one of those things ya know? I have crawled out of up side-down cars before, its no fun at all. Definetly changed my life, and I was pretty lucky. But remember that once in a while even new cars are even in accidents where the passengers cant get out on thier own. and with all theses "side impact" reinforcements and crumple zones and all, A model A is more of tin can compared to a new lincoln or something... Crashing sucks, drive smart and safe guys! -J.

[Smokin Joe]

I had a buddy who got killed in a 427 Vette. It wasn't chopped but after he rolled it you couldn't get your fingers in the slot that used to be the driver's door window and the passenger side wouldn't even show light thru the crack. He didn't burn, but what was left after the rollover wouldn't have been able to crawl out the door even after they used the "Jaws of Life" to open it. His seat belt snapped and they found him folded up under the dash and steering column. Having said that, I think you have a good idea. Making trunk lids that can be easily opened from the inside might just save a kid or two also. I had a neighbor kid who locked herself into my rumble seat once playing hide and seek. Luckily the other kids heard her and came and got me to let her out. I've kept rumble seats locked ever since.

[Unkl Ian]

My windshield will be the same size as a stock 37-39 ford,just laid back to about 45 degrees.
I'm sure I could kick the passengers side out if I had to.
But I'll probably never get it on the road,so it doesn't matter.

[Broman]

Far be it for me to be the one to state the obvious here but I think that you are making this too complicated. The best solution here is the most simple. Put a fire extinguisher in the cab somewhere. I mean those folks might have survived had they had one and if you were ever in a wreck that didn't end in a fire you are purely at the mercy of the integrity of the structure of your rod anyways. So build it stout, put in good seatbelts and install a fire-putter-outer.

2 cents, done.

(does that make me the first person to steal from a that cellular ad?)

[onelow48]

Whats life, with out danger? (boring)

[Mai Ki-Ki]

Who said i didn't like danger? (you been talking to mum?)

Maybe i'll line the interior with barbed wire..and be done with it.

cheers
MAIKI http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[onelow48]

Now your talking.

[Oilcan Harry]

Thats the main reason I don't care for shaved door handles. If your hurt and nobody can figure out how the doors open you're in trouble. If a large rootbeer with no lid from the drive-in won't pass through the window its chopped too much.

[DrJ]

You guys who are worried about a crash and burn in a car should all ride motorcycles on Los Angeles Freeways for the rest of your short lives...

If you're destined to drown, you'll never hang!

[RocketDaemon]

why would anyone want to crash their hotrod in the first place? oh no just .. ok reality... id say if i crash and dont get impaled by all steering parts and an engine up my balls i'd be lucky...

[Crankshaft Sid]

There goes to show, hotrodders are´nt just cool, the´re brave too.....

[mytlo56]

You ever seen those lumberjack competitions w/ the Hot Saws? You know, the ones that run like 125 cc dirtbike engines.

Pick up a Sawzall, rig that sucker up w/ a 125 cc to run on gas, keep it on the passenger side of your rod for upside down types of "emergencies."

Seriously though, I never really thought about this. I guess it's a valid concern.

[50mercfan]

this is a true story as fucked up as it sounds. i know an old timer here that still runs model A's. he has a 32 5 window now thats unchopped. it's a $50,000 street rod. but it's nice. anyway he sold his car unexpectantly a couple of years ago( he priced ir for someone at a show and they bought the damn thing, it was another 32 5 window) when he was looking to replace it he came across a few that still had the soft top in them and he wouldn't even concider them, wouldn't even look. so i asked his wife of 50 years what the deal was. well when he was 18 years old , he's about 70 now, he was riding with his cousin in a hopped up model a. they were doing about a hundred when the road turned from gravel to pavment. when the car hit the pavment it bounced so hard that he actually went through the soft top and landed on the pavement. well, it almost killed him. one side of his face is drooped down and he talks a little funny and i'd always figured he'd had a stroke, well come to find out it was from that accident. now the point of all this is, if you put some kind of soft top or hatch in your roof you'd better strap in.

[quickrod]

my buddy from australia just told me to tell him,"if he doesn't go paddock bashing with the ute,he'll be alright"what the fuck does that mean?{you dudes talk funny man}rubber down metal up...im out quickrod

[=mike=]

[ QUOTE ]
Who said i didn't like danger? (you been talking to mum?)

Maybe i'll line the interior with barbed wire..and be done with it.

cheers
MAIKI http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif







[/ QUOTE ]


i am making a Kustom steering wheel out of barbed wire , should look good and really grip the road . . .

[cleatus]

Just make sure you have enough cyanide casules for everyone on board = problem solved.



The way I look at it, after the amount of effort it took to put together, if I ever crash it THAT hard....I'll be praying I go out with it. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Hellfish]

don't chop the top more than your waist size can fit through or lose weight!
oh yeah, and carry a fire extinguisher

[G V Gordon]

Fire supression systems work well in race cars and could be adapted to street car without being an eyesore.

[Mai Ki-Ki]

Securely Mounted Steel Roof insert it is! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

And I don't ever drive without a extinguisher at my feet...why?..Cos i did all the underdash wiring.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Off for a paddock bash in dah ute with some tinnies and a shelia or two...

CheerS!

MAIKI

[Jkustom]

Absolutly have a fire extiguisher on board. And make it easy to get to, you dont wanna spend 5 minutes looking for it or digging shit out of the trunk to get at it.... If you drive with out one your dumb. My friend ( hes on here) had a fire in the engine compartment a couple months ago, but no fire extinguisher. fucked up the paint on his hood real bad and we barely got it out... -J.

[disastron13]

How bout them explosive bolts they use in aircraft wired to an inclinometer...so if you get upsidedown with the cops on your tail, it would put the little coupe back on its feet, still in gear, ready to roll...of course you'd lose the custom built metalflake insert...

[rat bastad]

Hey guys, all this talk reminds me of a time when hot rods WERE dangerous, and sex WAS safe !!

You all know THAT saying ha ha !!

Rat http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[PEDDRO]

Yeah, that was back when I slept with ya older sister Frank! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[50mercfan]

he has a sister named frank?

[Tinbender]

well, I just finished hanging the doors and tacking the tops on for a trial fit on my 33. I could probably make it out the window, IF it was on fire, and IF I don't gain more than 4 or 5 lbs before I get it on the road http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif