Hood braces

[B.K. Cunningham]

Howdy,
just picked up a 74 C20 Super Custom and the passenger side of my hood is showing signs of the classic "square body buckle". Who uses hood braces? Got recommendations? Lmc has some for 20 bucks and I'm not against being cheap.
Thanks, Bryan

 

[74 Shortbed]

Welcome to the site..

I've never used them myself I just keep the hinges lubricated..

 

[smoothandlow84]

Cheap insurance for $20. Replacet hoods are expensive...plus paint too. If it were me...I would install a pair.

 

[77 K20]

My first Blazer ('78) had them installed by the previous owner. In talking to a guy that used to own a Chevy dealership back then they said it can be a bad idea. The hood was designed to buckle there if you get in an accident. If you keep it well lubed then you won't try to do a pull up when you close the hood- and that is what bends the hood.
That being said once it starts not sure what you can do.
My dad's truck ('79 GMC) had a metal "rhino horn" sticking out from the firewall and goes up into the hood. Supposedly this was supposed to help grab the hood and make sure the hood doesn't tear away from the hinges and slice thru the windshield and you.

 

[RADustin]

I've been thinking about this lately.

Every hood I've ever seen 73-80 is buckled, at least a little. What Im thinking of doing is bending it back straight carefully using some weight (probably my foot lol) and some blocks of wood. Either way- carefully and getting it straight.

Then flipping it over and adding bend sheetmetal and welding it in where the reliefs are. Basically making the braces integral to the hood and finish it all off so it doesn't look so botched with sheet metal screwed on braces.

I think this would go a long way. You could over double the section modulus by doing this, making the hood much stronger.

As I plan to lift my truck, I don't expect to have issues with the hood being part of a front end accident. Besides, those hefty bolts at the cowl will grab the hood as well.

 

[B.K. Cunningham]

Welcome to the site..

I've never used them myself I just keep the hinges lubricated..

No worries. They are well lubed but if you dont push and pull down the left starts to buckle. Hitting the junk yard today for some fun, if i see some ill snag them. Otherwise ill buy new.

 

[B.K. Cunningham]

I've been thinking about this lately.

Every hood I've ever seen 73-80 is buckled, at least a little. What Im thinking of doing is bending it back straight carefully using some weight (probably my foot lol) and some blocks of wood. Either way- carefully and getting it straight.

Then flipping it over and adding bend sheetmetal and welding it in where the reliefs are. Basically making the braces integral to the hood and finish it all off so it doesn't look so botched with sheet metal screwed on braces.

I think this would go a long way. You could over double the section modulus by doing this, making the hood much stronger.

As I plan to lift my truck, I don't expect to have issues with the hood being part of a front end accident. Besides, those hefty bolts at the cowl will grab the hood as well.

I was thinking the same about making my own. Just wanted a few opinions before i got to far into the project.

 

[B.K. Cunningham]

Cheap insurance for $20. Replacet hoods are expensive...plus paint too. If it were me...I would install a pair.

Agreed. Everything on this truck is orignal aside from the tailgate. Decent enough paint too. Just curious if others made their own or bought some.

 

[77 K20]

As I plan to lift my truck, I don't expect to have issues with the hood being part of a front end accident. Besides, those hefty bolts at the cowl will grab the hood as well.

Not all trucks have those hefty bolts. My truck has absolutely nothing on the cowl/firewall.

It sounds like some trucks got them- others did't.

 

[74 Shortbed]

No worries. They are well lubed but if you dont push and pull down the left starts to buckle. Hitting the junk yard today for some fun, if i see some ill snag them. Otherwise ill buy new.

Well, that's the way you're supposed to close them,lol, I can close both of mine with one hand. Anyhow, I think there's a set on my donor, I'll check Thursday when I get home and see what kind of shape they're in, if they're good you can have them..

 

[B.K. Cunningham]

Well, that's the way you're supposed to close them,lol, I can close both of mine with one hand. Anyhow, I think there's a set on my donor, I'll check Thursday when I get home and see what kind of shape they're in, if they're good you can have them..

Well I'm only 5'7" so I cant get great leverage. That would be awesome! The yard i went to had a 76 gmc but it was pretty well stripped. On the hunt for a 74 gmc tailgate now.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Well I'm only 5'7" so I cant get great leverage. That would be awesome! The yard i went to had a 76 gmc but it was pretty well stripped. On the hunt for a 74 gmc tailgate now.

Even with that dent, this is a good deal for no rust. You could probably offer forty and take it home. I know it's far but figured I'd share anyways.

https://cenla.craigslist.org/pts/6100335265.html

 

[74 Shortbed]

Well I'm only 5'7" so I cant get great leverage. That would be awesome! The yard i went to had a 76 gmc but it was pretty well stripped. On the hunt for a 74 gmc tailgate now.

Well, just got home so I'll take a look in the morning...

 

[B.K. Cunningham]

Thanks, but your right. Too far.

 

[RADustin]

Not all trucks have those hefty bolts. My truck has absolutely nothing on the cowl/firewall.

It sounds like some trucks got them- others did't.

my '76 and 77' crews have them. weird.