Righting a Wrong

[Scooter402]

It was cool at the time...yep, I'll keep telling myself that.

So, I need to get rid of this big ass hood scoop on my CJ. I've got a couple ways in mind to do so. Any recommendation I would appreciate if it involves only the methods/parts that I have available at my disposal, not including purchasing anything new (those of you that know me know I'm a cheap SOB).

I have a "donor" hood that I got cheap as hell from a local shop. It has some scuffs and dings, but I've got a couple methods in mind. I could either hi-line the new hood so it will drop in place as the old one, or cut the center out of the hood and rivet it in place, much like the louver panels available on the market...but without louvers. Or I could cut the center out and weld it in to my current hood, since the hi-line work is already done. Pics for evidence/supporting proof:

My current giant schnoz on the jeep (from the mud racing days):

The image I have in mind (of the easy way out, anyway...):

Just try to picture that without the louvers...and you'd get the idea.

Regardless, I'm a little past novice with sheet metal work...Let's say I don't mind it, but time isn't exactly something I have an abundance of these days. I built the fenders you see in the pic above (still not done yet though), sawed my cab in half and put it back together, hi-lined my hood...well, maybe if I get off my lazy arse I'll put together my own thread here...anyway, I have to consult with my new micro-manager, and she usually (always) wins (she's 7 months old).

So, what y'all think? Can I get away with the easy way out, or should I roll up my sleeves and do some damn work? My end game with this rig isn't going to be a beauty queen...I really aim for a dual-purpose rig. I'd like to drive it down some trails again with my little girl, and possibly cruise it into town and piss off the neighbors if I get that far with it. Paint isn't going to be anything spectacular...it'll be something that's easy to touch up, as well as something I don't really mind if it gets a little beat up.

 

[CasterTroy]

Even "I" would take the easy route and rivet a panel to cover the hole from that gawd awful "Klinger-nose" instead of hacking up another hood to match the high-line. And I'm one anal retentive, tire-shine using, show quality bastard.

 

[Scooter402]

Even "I" would take the easy route and rivet a panel to cover the hole from that gawd awful "Klinger-nose" instead of hacking up another hood to match the high-line. And I'm one anal retentive, tire-shine using, show quality bastard.

Much appreciated. That's the way that I'm really leaning. I've already done the high-line once...don't really want to do it all over again. That, and I know my hood FITS...anyone that's fitted any replacement panel knows that might not always be so easy. Love your description of my hood, BTW. That's pretty much how I feel about it at this point. I've thought a few times of "accidentally" dropping my BFH on it to speed the process.

 

[broncosbybart]

I would buy the louvered panel and not look back. Sounds like you're against the louvers but they do help with under hood temps while crawling. Very quick and easy install, too (as long as it covers the hole in your hood).

You'll warp the heck out of your current hood with any welding.

 

[BrianGreen]

Or just get a cheap air return grille from Lowe’s and rivet that in place from the bottom.

 

[jeepinmatt]

Just put a bigger motor in it so that you have to keep the scoop.

 

[Stuntman Autoworks]

I'd get the louver section and rock out

 

[Scooter402]

I would buy the louvered panel and not look back. Sounds like you're against the louvers but they do help with under hood temps while crawling. Very quick and easy install, too (as long as it covers the hole in your hood).


You'll warp the heck out of your current hood with any welding.

It's not so much that I'm against the louvers, but more the cost of the panel (I'm a cheap @$$...) being ~$170 or so. But, I might get off my wallet one of these days and get one. I do have sheet metal available that I can just make a flat panel, though.

The warping is exactly why I don't want to weld a piece into the center of the hood...I've done a great deal of sheet metal work, and it plays hell trying to keep something straight. Or, get something straight again after it's warped.

Or just get a cheap air return grille from Lowe’s and rivet that in place from the bottom.

That's actually one I've never thought of...I'll have to search Lowe's and see what they've got. Thanks for the idea!

Just put a bigger motor in it so that you have to keep the scoop.

Lol you mean like this?

That's the little gem I've got under the hood now...only more complete. SBC402, HP850, and a velocity stack air cleaner that does stick up through the scoop. If I'm reading my tape measure right, I should be able to fit a 3" air cleaner without the scoop. I think asking for a 5" for adequate air flow into the engine might be asking a bit much.

I'd get the louver section and rock out

So it sounds like we're all on board with putting a panel on the hood...great! Thanks, y'all! I'll keep hunting for a (hopefully) cost effective louver panel...otherwise, I might just put a flat piece of sheet metal there, and consider adding the louvers later.

 

[Croatan_Kid]

Well hell....until a few years ago I still had the piece you cut out of that hood! I cut it up to make some patch/filler panels in the floor of my K30

 

[BrianGreen]

I did this back in 2007. It would look a lot better if I did it more recently (more sheet metal experience).

 

[jeepinmatt]

Lol you mean like this?

That's the little gem I've got under the hood now...only more complete. SBC402, HP850, and a velocity stack air cleaner that does stick up through the scoop. If I'm reading my tape measure right, I should be able to fit a 3" air cleaner without the scoop.

Clearly its not big enough then

 

[a_kelley]

They also make filler tops instead of a solid cover.. way more filtration area than an added 2" height.

 

[Halftrac]

Park it next to the street for a mailbox.

 

[Scooter402]

Well hell....until a few years ago I still had the piece you cut out of that hood! I cut it up to make some patch/filler panels in the floor of my K30

Well, damn! At least some good came from my evil...lol and at least I know it went to a good home!

I did this back in 2007. It would look a lot better if I did it more recently (more sheet metal experience).

View attachment 258449

I think I could make something like that work -- I'd just have to make sure they had one big enough...The hole in my hood is 32" long, and I think 13" wide.

Clearly its not big enough then

I've had this recurring wet dream about putting a 4 or 6bt in there, but then I'd need a beefier frame...probably tons to handle the torque...and since it's so low now, I'd definitely have to leave the scoop so the pan clears the axle, and the valve covers would be through the hood.

They also make filler tops instead of a solid cover.. way more filtration area than an added 2" height.

You know...I don't know why that didn't even occur to me. I've seen them around enough, but never bought one. I'll be doing that now!

Park it next to the street for a mailbox.

Ha! Now THAT'S funny! Just spit coffee on my keyboard, thanks for that!

 

[Halftrac]

Dont laugh to hard. My husband knows a guy that wreck his race car and for some reason the hood survived. Turned the hood scoop into a mailbox, block into a beer can holder, seat for his office. The rest of the car was scrap metal in buckets.