2000 Ranger vs Mazda hood compatability.

[Redleg53]

I recently got a 2000 Ranger Trailhead that had some damage to the hood, header and grille. I ordered a hood from Keystone but it turns out that it was off an ‘04 Mazda. All other parts were aftermarket. Install went well. Seems to fit ok with the exception of a large gap between the top of the grille and bottom edge of the hood. Is there any difference between the two hoods? That’s really the only thing I can think of.

 

[sheep herder]

Body style changed between 2000 and 2004. Grill and hood are definitely different on Ranger. Not sure about Mazda.

 

[Redleg53]

Body style changed between 2000 and 2004. Grill and hood are definitely different on Ranger. Not sure about Mazda.

Thanks for the info. I need to do more research on the hood. I didn’t think anything about it when I told what the year and make I had vs. what I actually got. Technically it fits but doesn’t look correct.

 

[sheep herder]

This is a pic of an '04 Ranger. Hood and grill is different from a '00.

This is an '04 Mazda.

Doesn't really look like the Mazda hood is the same.

 

[Redleg53]

This is a pic of an '04 Ranger. Hood and grill is different from a '00.

View attachment 43259

This is an '04 Mazda.

Doesn't really look like the Mazda hood is the same.

Definitely not the same. The parts people are assuming that an ‘04 Mazda hood will fit my 2000 Ranger. Something is not quite right with it. I’m going to cross reference some part numbers.

 

[Ranger850]

Looking at the 2nd pic, I would bet that the Mazda Grill would fill the Gap on the '00 Ranger with the '04 Mazda hood.

 

[Redleg53]

Looking at the 2nd pic, I would bet that the Mazda Grill would fill the Gap on the '00 Ranger with the '04 Mazda hood.

I stand corrected. The hood does fit correctly. I had to make some adjustments on the header mounting and move it up. Closed the gap like it should. The only difference in these two hoods are that the factory Ford is aluminum and the Mazda is steel and a lot heavier. Thanks to everyone who provided feedback.

 

[Ranger850]

I stand corrected. The hood does fit correctly. I had to make some adjustments on the header mounting and move it up. Closed the gap like it should. The only difference in these two hoods are that the factory Ford is aluminum and the Mazda is steel and a lot heavier. Thanks to everyone who provided feedback.

Pic?

 

[Redleg53]

Pic?

 

[Redleg53]

Brought it up quite a bit. I’ll adjust a little more before I paint the truck.

 

[Ranger850]

Looks much better!

 

[Bronco648]

...The only difference in these two hoods are that the factory Ford is aluminum and the Mazda is steel and a lot heavier.

Are you sure about this? I have an '04 XLT Super Cab and a magnet will stick to my hood. Unless the shell is aluminum and the frame is steel. Clarification?

 

[Redleg53]

Are you sure about this? I have an '04 XLT Super Cab and a magnet will stick to my hood. Unless the shell is aluminum and the frame is steel. Clarification?

The difference in MY two hoods are the material. My OEM Ranger hood is all aluminum. The Mazda hood I got to replace is steel. I’m not sure why or even when Ford used either type for body panels.

 

[Bronco648]

The difference in MY two hoods are the material. My OEM Ranger hood is all aluminum. The Mazda hood I got to replace is steel. I’m not sure why or even when Ford used either type for body panels.

Sorry, I wasn't questioning your intelligence or the two hoods in your possession. I was just wondering if you knew the rhyme/reason why Ford would supply two hoods made out of different material. I guess I should have rephrased my question.

 

[cbxer55]

Brought it up quite a bit. I’ll adjust a little more before I paint the truck.

I think the hood on mine is the same one. Mine is a 98. 98 through 00 are identical. I had a black steel hood put on it in 2015 since the original aluminum hood was full of hail dents. So I painted the wiper area black, the front fascia, the front and rear bumpers. Now my once red Ranger is now a two tone red/black Ranger. Need to repaint the hood though, being steel it's starting to show some rust through the paint. Going to put a functional hood scoop and two side heat extractor vents on it first, then get it painted black again.