Cutting The "Subframe" from Hood

[SimonTuffGuy]

So... I've heard this question asked before... People wanting to remove the bottom section from the hood, mount it to the fiberglass GTX hood and then you'd have something that's structurally sound vs. the flimsy fiberglass copy.

Here are my thoughts... It would work! However, you're going to have one heck of a time getting it out in 1 piece, not bent, and an even harder time mounting it to the fiberglass hood.

My scenario is that... I sold my fiberglass hood with the bodykit to Dean last year... Since the car was parked, I didn't need a hood. Since winter will be over soon, I decided to start working on a replacement. I still want to use hood pins though instead of going with the latch and hinges. So I started cutting away the unside of the hood to make it easier to mount on the pins.

Without the "subframe" of the hood... The metal hood is actually pretty light. But, it's also REALLY flimsy! It moves and bends every which way... In fact, it might be as bad as the fiberglass hood in shaking. I still have a bit of cutting to do until I'm ready to mount it... But I'm getting close.

I'll toss up some pictures later. Unless it's an epic fail, and then I'll scrap the hood, find another one and just use hinges instead! :-P

[ejp2fast]

good luck on this Simon.. if anybody were to do it, it'd be you!

speaking of flimsy, there was a guy that sat on my hood the other day in a parking lot... and as i was in the drivers seat yelled for him to get off as not to dent my precious car... i was lucky it didn't dent, he was a stout fella...

[FastOrBust]

awsome cant wait to see pics and hope it works

[Hot_Wheels]

use a oxy acetylyne torch (or plasma if your rich) to cut the frame out, i would like to make mine stiffer to if i can find a garbage hood ill try to torche it out but excuring it im not sure....

[sam.1956]

Might be able to fab an X-frame from square tubing, although the compound curves could be "interesting".

[FB71]

So... I've heard this question asked before... People wanting to remove the bottom section from the hood, mount it to the fiberglass GTX hood and then you'd have something that's structurally sound vs. the flimsy fiberglass copy.

Here are my thoughts... It would work! However, you're going to have one heck of a time getting it out in 1 piece, not bent, and an even harder time mounting it to the fiberglass hood.

My scenario is that... I sold my fiberglass hood with the bodykit to Dean last year... Since the car was parked, I didn't need a hood. Since winter will be over soon, I decided to start working on a replacement. I still want to use hood pins though instead of going with the latch and hinges. So I started cutting away the unside of the hood to make it easier to mount on the pins.

Without the "subframe" of the hood... The metal hood is actually pretty light. But, it's also REALLY flimsy! It moves and bends every which way... In fact, it might be as bad as the fiberglass hood in shaking. I still have a bit of cutting to do until I'm ready to mount it... But I'm getting close.

I'll toss up some pictures later. Unless it's an epic fail, and then I'll scrap the hood, find another one and just use hinges instead! :-P

this easy Simon, I've already done it. My method assumes you are not trying to salvage the skin, just the frame.

Use a 4" open shoe grinder, and grind all four sides. You'll be grinding thru the fold of the hood skin. Watch it closely while grinding, it will suddenly start to look like three layers of metal. Don't go any deeper than that, otherwise you're grinding away the frame. After all four edges are ground, use a utility knife to cut away the remnents of the hood skin and fold. After cleaning/prepping the frame, it can be attached to the 'glass hood with 3M body panel 2 part adhesive, available at auto body supply stores.

[SimonTuffGuy]

Ahh, cool Jim. I was thinking of taking it to my bodyshop and having them use an angle grinder to cut off what was left of the frame. I sold my fiberglass hood and wanted just the "top" of the hood for my car.

We'll see how it goes. Like I said, if nothing else... I scrap the idea and use normal hinges and hood latch. :-P

[FB71]

oh, gotcha. You're trying to use the skin without the frame... hmmm.... no suggestions, sorry.

[SimonTuffGuy]

I scratched the idea... My uncles parts car had the hinges, latch and hood. The hood is a little dented up, but for now it's going to work.