73-77 hood diff. than 78-80?

[cliffsta]

I read from various places that 78-80 hood is different that 73-77 in that 78-80 has a decorative ridge. Yet in LMC and Classic Industries it only shows 73-80 and 81-87. Anyone got a comparison pic between the two? I will be replacing my bent hood eventually and i don't wanna get an incorect hood, and cowl hoods look kinda goofy.

[1974ChevyC10]

i swapped the hood from 74 parts truck to my 78 driver and there was no fitment problems other than the fact i have bad hood hinges so the hood sticks up in the back.the 78 original hood did have this chrome strip along the back where the hood meets the cowl.the 74 one did not.so i hope that answers your question as yes it can be done.

[cliffsta]

oh ok! thanks!!! yeah my hood is bernt from having bad springs forever, i just put new hinges and springs on it and it still don't close right; you can even see the crease on the underside and look at it when its closed and see the curve aint right.

[bigblock73]

73-80 hoods are identical in fit and finish, with the exception that 79-80 hoods DO have a decorative ridge across the leading edge of it.

[bigblock73]

Here is a 79/80 truck and hood...notice the "ridge" across the front of the hood?

73-78's do not have this ridge.

[cliffsta]

lol maybe, the ridge; that peace of metal or whatever up by the windshield? or is it something on the nose end? sorry im stupid

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by cliffsta

lol maybe, the ridge; that peace of metal or whatever up by the windshield? or is it something on the nose end? sorry im stupid

No...it is the leading edge...front...latching side...whatever...end of the hood. Look at the red truck pictured above, now do you see a horizontal line rinning across the front of the hood? That is the ridge you/we are referring to.

[cliffsta]

OOOHHHHH okay. i bet i could find one in a junkyard for cheap; i'm not exactly a "gotta be exact" kinda guy, but i think the decorative ridge looks cool.

[Grim Reaper]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

Here is a 79/80 truck and hood...notice the "ridge" across the front of the hood?

73-78's do not have this ridge.

Nope that's not right either. My 75 had that ridge and the 77 hood I put on it to replace the kinked one has it. I panted the center of the hood like a fighter with flat black and I used that ridge line as the line where I changed colors. I know both hoods were original to the trucks and the years are correct.

Only thing I can think of is 78-80 had hood ornements on most of the trucks. Maybe the difference is the hole for the hood ornement.

[Grim Reaper]

Ok well I'm not right either.

I whent over to http://brochures.slosh.com/ And most of the borcures up to 79 dont show that ridge and even the Blazer in the 79 brochure doesn't show it or it was airbrushed out yet the sub has it. Now I am confused. I Know what I have is a 77 and the 75 hood is long gone so I can't confirm it.

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by Grim Reaper

Nope that's not right either. My 75 had that ridge and the 77 hood I put on it to replace the kinked one has it. I panted the center of the hood like a fighter with flat black and I used that ridge line as the line where I changed colors. I know both hoods were original to the trucks and the years are correct.

Only thing I can think of is 78-80 had hood ornements on most of the trucks. Maybe the difference is the hole for the hood ornement.

I am 100% positive the ridge didn't come on any 78 and older models. GM would not carry two different style hoods for the same year. The ridge started in '79 when the headlight bezels changed to enclose the front markers.

If you have that hood on your '75, it isnt original. My '77 I KNOW is original does not have it. I am pretty sure I have a GM sales brochure at home from 78 talking about it. I will look when I get off work.

[Grim Reaper]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

I am 100% positive the ridge didn't come on any 78 and older models. GM would not carry two different style hoods for the same year. The ridge started in '79 when the headlight bezels changed to enclose the front markers.

If you have that hood on your '75, it isnt original. My '77 I KNOW is original does not have it. I am pretty sure I have a GM sales brochure at home from 78 talking about it. I will look when I get off work.

Well The hood on the truck has it for sure. I painted it funny and used it as a cut line. The hood came off a 77 2wd K5 and I know the year was correct because I checked it because I salvaged the whole front suspension off it to use on my 70 Burb. No rear seat foot well and no gas door but it's possible that it wasn't original to that truck. It looked original and the paint matched it perfectly and it did not appear the truck was a repaint but you never know. It may have also be a late 77 so it might have got the 78 change early. I just got rid of the original 75 hood a couple weeks ago and I honestly think it had it but might be wrong.

[mhicks]

Not wanting to hijack the thread but do any of you know where I can get the chrome decrative trim that goes along the back of the hood near the windshield?

[Grim Reaper]

Try LMC. On my 79 it was plastic and pealing so I took it off.

[mhicks]

I looked there but didn't see one.

[cliffsta]

yeah i kidna would like to keep that decorative ridge, not a big difference, but im anal.