The hood panel of your car or truck is an integral part of your vehicle, and one of the first things people see when they look at your car or truck. When a hood panel isn't 100% right, there's no hiding it. And if you've got a classic from your youth, you are not going to feel good about your ride when sheet metal is compromised - especially a hood panel. Unfortunately, it doesn't take much to damage a hood panel. Any vehicle that's seen a number of miles is bound to have some kind of wear and damage to its engine lid. Statistically, accidents are most likely to result in front-end vehicle damage where hood panels are crinkled beyond repair. Hits from the side can be just as damaging, because left or right fenders usually always push into the hood panel.
Sometimes, hood damage is spared in low-speed fender benders because a plastic front filler piece takes the hit. But if you've got a car where the hood extends all the way to the front, there's no protection from carelessness - whether it's on your part or someone else's. Any minor impact in a parking lot can leave bent metal - metal that immediately starts rusting if the paint coat has been compromised. Damaged plastic filler panels can be ignored, but not metal ones.
And even if you never have an accident, a hood panel's large surface area leaves it subject to damage from other sources. Branches, even large acorns, fall off of trees and leave permanent dimples. Once in awhile, worn or misaligned hood hinges can jam - causing your hood to become permanently creased when the hinge abruptly stops moving. If you've ever encountered medium- to large-size hail, you know it can do a number on hood panels - so much so that most insurance companies opt for replacement over repairs.
In this article, we'll look at replacement hood panels that we offer. Unlike doors, fenders, and other body panels, replacing a hood yourself is easy. After unbolting and removing the old one, installation is only a matter of minor alignment and tightening things down. All of the hoods we sell come ready to paint, with black primer already applied. Because hood panels are subject to the rigors of radiant engine heat as well as direct sunlight, it's advisable to have them professionally painted to ensure gloss finishes are properly mixed and evenly applied for maximum durability. However, should you prefer a look of flat black paint that's more forgiving, we encourage you to give painting it yourself a go if the inclination strikes.
Replacement Hood Panels Types
We've got a wide selection of original equipment hoods for newer cars and trucks, and we also have older classics covered - because we know finding an uncompromised, original panel from an older donor vehicle isn't everything it's cracked up to be. While it's easy to assume a hood panel taken from a donor car is factory original and will fit perfectly, in reality that part may not be what it appears. It might look clean to the naked eye, but rust holes and dents covered by filler can easily be revealed after paint is stripped off. Plus, there's no guarantee that a part on a donor car is an OEM one just because it looks old. Professionals say panels pulled off of older vehicles often turn out to be replacement pieces with questionable fit that were installed at some point during the vehicle's lifetime.
With our hood panels, the quality is the same as what you'd get from a dealership parts department - almost certainly at a more favorable price. Steel is the same thickness as original parts, dimensions match original designs to tight tolerances, and attachment points are designed for factory hinges, bolts, and even release latches. If you're looking for a match for OEM looks and build quality, we've got a wide range of hoods for American and import makes from Replace, Sherman, and K-Metal. And if you've got a Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, or other model dating back to the 1940s, Jeep specialist Omix-Ada has a selection guaranteed to impress you.
While authenticity in reproduction parts is very important to us, we also understand how important custom looks are to the identity of classics and muscle cars. Power dome center bulges, air scoops, and cutouts were popular yesteryear both as factory options and as custom add-ons. That's why we've got a selection of replacement hoods that offer these features as well. For example, Restoparts offers a choice of OEM style or cowl induction style hoods for Chevy Monte Carlos/El Caminos/Malibus of 1965-1972 and 1978-1988 vintage. Goodmark offers stock and custom designs for newer GM trucks and classics with a choice of stainless steel and fiberglass construction for select vehicles. Auto Metal Direct and OER offer mostly custom designs for GM trucks and classic muscle cars - however, Auto Metal Direct also specializes in stock reproductions for Chevys dating back to 1947.
"Good", "Better", and "Best" Quality Replacement Hood Panels
For some hoods we sell, you may be presented with a choice of "Good", "Better", and "Best" quality levels for that product. While all are of excellent quality, differences here usually signify various levels of inspections and quality certifications that a product received from independent sanctioning bodies within the industry. Because specifics may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, click on the "comparison" button to see more detailed information.
To summarize, we offer a wide variety of factory-style and custom replacement hoods. All of them provide excellent fit, outstanding quality, and easy installation. (You will want a buddy to help you remove and reinstall the hood.) Finished in primer, the hoods we sell are ready to be painted by your local painting pro, or tackle it yourself, especially if you plan to keep it flat black. Replacement of your damaged hood will bring your car or truck back to an outstanding condition to match the rest of your sweet ride!