The heavy fiberglass hood on 3rd generation Rangers

[engine]

It looks good, it doesn't rust, but it is so darn heavy. I wonder why it was chosen instead of steel?

 

[sgtsandman]

I liked the aluminum one my '98 had better than the steel one on my '11. Pluses and minuses to each but I think the aluminum one was the best Ford offered. I suppose you could do the lift strut mod. I'm not sure if it's on this forum or another. It is a pretty simple mod and would make it easier to open and close. I've thought about it a time or two for mine.

 

[fastpakr]

I don't remember ever noticing a fiberglass hood.

 

[sgtsandman]

I don't remember ever noticing a fiberglass hood.

I don't remember one either. Maybe it's a aftermarket one. I only remember the aluminum and steel ones ever being mentioned before but I've been wrong before and will be again, so just worked with what was given.

 

[97RangerXLT]

my 97 hood is pretty heavy, pretty sure it is steel. Thinking about doing that hood strut mod...

AJ

 

[Curious Hound]

My 93 has a steel hood. I thought the 93-97 years were third gen. Mine got even heavier when I added the bulldog.

 

[stmitch]

He's talking about the "Edge" or powerdome hood from 01-03 I think. It was composite. My guess, is that it was easier to form the shape in composite than it would've been to stamp it in steel or aluminum. Between the powerdome section and the divot down the center, it's got some sharp angles and shapes that are probably not easy to stamp out of metal.

 

[G8orFord]

For those that haven't seen one.

 

[fastpakr]

Thanks. I never realized those were fiberglass, but it makes sense. Can't be that much heavier than the steel hoods. The aluminum hood on my '99 Ranger had to have been about half what the steel one on the Explorer donor weighed. Certainly explains why the Explorer used a strut system.

 

[racsan]

My hoods have all been steel. “Newest “ one was the ‘97. I’ve used it as a sled dragging away large tree limb sections with the tractor lately. Works good in winter that way too. Somewhere I have a video of my daughter & her child riding on the hood as I’m pulling it through the backyard.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I never understood why they used the lift struts and not the coiled up spring like the pre 96 F series.

 

[Snoranger]

I never understood why they used the lift struts and not the coiled up spring like the pre 96 F series.

Because they like when parts fail after a few years. They can sell you more parts.

 

[Curious Hound]

I never understood why they used the lift struts and not the coiled up spring like the pre 96 F series.

More compact hinge system with fewer pieces and very easy to install quickly on the assembly line.

 

[Craig0320]

Thanks. I never realized those were fiberglass, but it makes sense. Can't be that much heavier than the steel hoods. The aluminum hood on my '99 Ranger had to have been about half what the steel one on the Explorer donor weighed. Certainly explains why the Explorer used a strut system.

I was in the junkyard yesterday and there was an 03 edge hit in the front. Fiberglass hood was busted all the hell. I really like the way those hoods look though.

 

[Dirtman]

I never understood why they used the lift struts and not the coiled up spring like the pre 96 F series.

Why use springs at all. A metal rod works fine...