Which hood is cooler? (1 Viewer)

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OK, the early Cruisers were built more by hand until Automation started and the little items got lost. So, split hood , with spear , is the best hood. The later stamped hood is OK, but , not as cool as the earlier.
 
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Just noticed the 2nd pic in @troy scott ’s first post - the mod to the upside down bezel. Haven’t seen that mod before.

And on edit I don’t think either hood style is cooler or hotter temperature-wise. :p
 
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Do you plan to ever fold your windshield down? Are your wipers on the top or bottom? That may dictate which hood is easiest to use.
i haven't folded my windshield down but would want to keep the option for sure. my wipers are on the top would either one affect which hood?
 
I vote for anything early on the 40’s, notice my frankencruiser has an early bib, early stamped bezel (chromed!), glass running lights from?? and replica FJ25 emblem. The hood spear has been pointing the way forward for me for 45 years now so couldn’t imagine life without one lol.
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I vote for anything early on the 40’s, notice my frankencruiser has an early bib, early stamped bezel (chromed!), glass running lights from?? and replica FJ25 emblem. The hood spear has been pointing the way forward for me for 45 years now so couldn’t imagine life without one lol. View attachment 1869592View attachment 1869593
What signifies an "early bib" and where did you find those glass running lights ????????????
 
The early front bib has the running lights below the headlights. Original on pre 69 I think but not sure. Mine is a 71 and my bib had a dent in it soI replaced it with an early one. The clear glass running lights may be from a boat, the bezels are stainless steel with two mounting screws. The very early running lenses were clear plastic and later were changed to amber. Oh the turn signal lights are also early style round vs the rectangular combo running/ turn signal. Found most of the early stuff on EBay over the years.
 
If you need a later style hood I have a useable one. Can get it close to Fort Scott if you can pick it up.

I am looking for a 71 hood if anyone has exta they'd like to part with. I have a 72, but would like to keep it year correct.
 
Are there even further options in the 40, 45 trucks? SOR describes hoods for up to 9/71, from 10/71 to 12/74, and ones for '75 to '84. My '73 40 had no chrome, and less of the distinctive middle ridge (according to my fifteen-year-old photos) than the top image and my current '75s, and it had no split, but with the big rubber windshield hood bumpers of the tan 40 image above (which I think might be backwards, btw). I'd be more interested in preservation of the original part, than I would be in matching paint, or being correct to the replacement part's build date. But, my eye's aesthetic is guided by preservation, including mismatches and imperfections.
One piece holds changed in 12/74 when the windshield wipers were relocated from the top of the windshield to the bottom.

The WW motor cover needed different W hinges to swing the bottom of the windshield up to clear the cowl. I believe that changed the contact point for the hood bumpers and hooks, which also were redesigned.
 

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