To answer how I chopped the top.
I cut a 3" section out of the "A" pillar removed the "B" pillar and pie cut the "C" pillar. Then stretched the top and bottom "A's" to meet. I run 3/8 steel down the middle then started to weld back each layer.
The B & C pillar's were much easier to rebuild
one thing you have to remember is that the pillars are structural and you have to peal them like an onion then brace each layer as you put them back.
it's not as easy as just cutting and pasting:
continued below.