Chopped and Diced generally approaches a build in these phases:

• Disassembly
• Frame and Suspension (building or modification)
• Mechanical
• Fabrication
• Body work
• Assembly
• Paint
• Electrical
• Trim and "punch out"
• Upholstery

The project is first discussed with the customer to determine his/her preferences and expectations (Daily driver, occasional road trip, full out show car, etc...). Once customer needs and wants are confirmed, research is performed in order to determine the parts necessary and the plan to accomplish the work the customer wants to have performed. This may take up to several weeks to ensure good guidelines for the build are established before any labor is performed.

Frame work may begin with the need to sand/media blast it in order to complete specific tasks. After any frame and suspension work is performed, mechanical work will begin. Depending on the type of build (whether or not the body is pulled off of the frame), body work may be performed at the same time as mechanical work. Mechanical work is completed after rigorous testing of components through static run throughs or complete test drives. Often times, electrical and trim work is mocked up at this time to determine proper placement, fitment and operation.

Fabrication will commence if the customer wants specialty fabricated interior or exterior body panels. Custom dashes, door panels, body shaves, chops and channels are some examples.

Body work/paint preparation then commences folowing the wants and expectations of the customer. These expectations drive the amount of labor incurred by bodywork performed. Before body work or fabrication begins, it may be necessary to have the body sandblasted or stripped. A custom paint job will finalize the body work for the vehicle.

Electrical will then be run, connected and tested. Trim is also installed at this time.

*Note - Trim work can be an extremely involved process. Aftermarket, NOS, and remanufactured trims all fit differently and have an effect of the overall fit and finish of the vehicle.

Once all of these phases are complete, the vehicle goes through a quality control process that involves test driving, running, testing of components and other procedures to ensure evrything operates properly. From there, the vehicle moves to upholstery, where the interior can be completed. Once complete, another series of quality control testing is performed on the vehicle before it is deemed complete.

Last updated on July 30, 2009 by Chopped and Diced