Project Retro-Runner: Fiberglass Hood...

So the project continues to move forward...

I know, I know, another "aesthetic" change and not performance or otherwise "serious" modification modification. I can't argue with you there but as I've said from Day 1 on this...first the outside shell is to be completed for its visual appearance and THEN the guts of the vehicle (suspension, cage, engine, etc.) will get their turn. And we're in the final stretch now for the visual body changes...

The hood is from Hannemann Fiberglass and ordered through Automotive Customizers as they were actually cheaper than ordering direct from Hanneman themselves. I briefly considered the one-piece clip conversion from Fiberwerx but as that would also involve swapping headlights and would change the look of the vehicle away from the "stock" Frontier, I went with the hood instead. The fiberglass hood was of very good quality with no stress cracks and as few ripples, waves and bumps as can be expected from a fiberglass replacement. The hood pins are TIG welded on and the paint job, fit and finish work by Dube's Custom Street Machines was again, top notch. Though not a true "performance" modification the hood is significantly lighter than the stock version and will help, with the fiberglass bedsides and future fiberglass fenders, partially offset the other weight gains to come.

So the next step is the fenders, which will be sourced from Fiberwerx just as the bedsides were and will be painted red to match the hood. The red will also be taken up the "A" pillar and over the roof as well to match (imitate really, as it won't be an "exact" match given the difference in body lines, etc.) the factory Nissan Hardbodies of the mid/late 80's. This should take place about a month from now and other than various vinyl logos and graphics that may change from time to time and see updates, will complete the look of the core vehicle itself.