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Message: [QUOTE="JoeDaddy, post: 835382, member: 41"] I should be the last person to do a DIY because of the way I do most chops. That said I've been doing them since I was a teenager stretching 2 ton frames and building trailers. I spent several years building off road race chassis, and in the last 10 years street trucks. Both stretches and chops. So here's where I started this one, which is my 1st SD chop. [Img]https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/p206x206/970880_467557096668307_1680036009_n.jpg[/img] A grossly over-long 2000 SD 2WD. Pulling the bed is obligatory, no reason to cover that or reinstall. Start by disconnecting the E-brake and cutting the flange off. I used a 10" Milwaukee blade. [Img]https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/p173x172/1461071_549563338467682_434774175_n.jpg[/img] Then mark out your diagram. I'm using a 5" horizontal in a lazy Z notch cut. The cut is 16 and an 1/8" so we need 21 and 1/8" of straight space. I place the bottom cut toward the rear to lesson the chance of a stress fracture. I only use a sawzall to cut frames. IMO the less you overheat the frame the more strength is retained. [Img]https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/p173x172/644501_549563908467625_1123619997_n.jpg[/img] Measure 10 times then once more before you cut. LOL [Img]https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/p173x172/1461814_549564355134247_301157730_n.jpg[/img] The next step is the most critical in my opinion. This where the chop will succeed or fail. Grind the area's to be welded to a knife edge. Take time to do this right and not grind to deep. [Img]https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/p173x172/1450183_549564698467546_240118934_n.jpg[/img] [/QUOTE]