Hood pin installation - recommendations?

[SnowDrift]

I've got a glass hood that has always fit like crap. Now it's starting to "curl" up on one edge and is really looking bad. The reason is unknown, but it left my sight straight, I had a new IP put on and when I saw it next, it was up on the edge. Anyhow...

I'm going to have to put hood pins on it to pull the edges down. Does anyone have any tips for me on this? I am thinking of the carbon fiber ones, but I'm not really sold on any of them because I don't like the looks.

Any pointers on installation or brands?

 

[SSduramax]

what is the hood on?

and, I would say go with stainless steele pins if that is the way you are gonna go, they look good, are strong and don't rust.

 

[SnowDrift]

it's on my '95 K2500.

NGR has some carbon fiber looking ones that are pretty smooth to the surface and are stainless steel top and bottom. Do I need to worry about the glass spiderwebbing once I drill a hole in the panels? How do I reinforce the area, if so?

 

[Ed HD]

Use painters tape, and drill from the painted side down, and that will help prevent cracking.

 

[SnowDrift]

Good idea. Thanks.

 

[schulte]

Use stainless only, check Summit racing... they have everything.

 

[Ed HD]

Any update? Did you do it, and did it help?

 

[lovemyhd]

I'd look into getting a set from an old Mopar. They came from the factory and last a longggg time. And the plate that screws to the hood is alot thicker and wont rust like the 15 dollar kits you get from your local auto parts store.

 

[DunesRunner08]

Start with a small drill bit and step up to a little bigger and a little bigger... until you have the right size.... this will prevent it from spidering... make sure the hood pins you get have the plate on both sides as well

 

[SnowDrift]

Hey guys, I forgot that I installed these. I'll hunt up some photos and put them in my garage. Thanks to those that offered advice!

I guess I thought I posted a response on this. Sorry:mad2:

I was able to find a good location on the core support, but it was nearly impossible to get to from the bottom side. I was able to open one of the holes on the bottom side up and get the nut in the hole. Then I was able to scoot the nut to it's location under where the pin would reside and screwed the pin down onto it. I was able to hold the nut from spinning using a chisel stuck in, yet, another factory hole. All in all, it wasn't a bad job at all and the worst part was the psychological part - drilling a pilot hole in a $900 hood. I read the directions on the pins, thankfully. I started out about 1/4" from where I should have been, but hadn't drilled anything yet.

I hope this helps someone in the future, as I've scoured the web for hours looking for info on pins in this body style Chevy truck and just did NOT find anything.

 

[SSduramax]

well, what kind of pins did you get? stainless???

did you use tape on the holes to keep from splintering???

:nopics:

substitute thread with update :thumbsup:

 

[Z79outlaw]

Doesnt look to bad, I wish they made a steel version of that hood, I've always loved that style, like the late model trans ams.

 

[SnowDrift]

well, what kind of pins did you get? stainless???

did you use tape on the holes to keep from splintering???

:nopics:

substitute thread with update :thumbsup:

Pics are in my photo album. I didn't even think to take any during the process. Sorry, guys, my mind was spent focusing on this tedious task.

I did, indeed, use 3M masking tape all around my work area to keep any paint from getting scratched, both on top and on the underside. I made all my marks on the tape, not the hood. I'm not sure the tape helped with not splintering, but it sure made me more comfortable to work around in terms of it being a barrier between the tools and the paint.

I installed the pins in the core support first and located it according to a good fit for both the support and a good location on the hood where I knew the upper and lower panels were together, so I didn't have a hollow spot. After attaching the pins, I put a dab of grease on the tip of the pin and slowly closed the hood so the grease would mark the location on the tape on the hood. I raised it back up and started off with a 1/16" NEW titanium drill bit from the bottom side. I stepped them up by about 1/8" increments until I got to 1/2". Since the pins are 1/2", I ran the drill fore and aft to allow for the pin to slide through the hole without rubbing. I set the scuff plates in position and marked the holes with a permanent marker and drilled tiny pilot holes, then moved up to 1/8" holes. I painted part of the exposed fiberglass with touch up paint and then fastened down the scuff plates.

Yes, the whole kit I got was stainless steel. Pins, nuts, scuff plates and clips.

I wish, too, that there was a steel version of this hood. The only ram air style ones in steel are kind of "boxy" looking, although someone here has one on a Suburban and I like the looks of it. Joispoi maybe?