Man, I got an employee discount on mine and I think it was around $240 or something. I agree, seems the clear coat used aftermarket has a tendency to break down after awhile. Mine looked really nice when newly painted, over time it started to yellow a tad (just enough to bother me), and now when I look at it there seems to be a soft powdery look to it and not the solid glass like OEM or when it was new. About the only thing I can think of doing is wetsanding and polishing to level it out, but that's a scary proposition since I don't know how thin the clear is.

Price depends on where you go so get several estimates. Painting always sounds like it would be cheap and easy, but prep labor, masking, paint/clear cost, and equipment can really add up.

 

Thanks for an idea about using two bolts instead of those stupid retainers for keeping the mesh piece in place! You saved me a lot of time and unnecessary effort!

 

looks good

 

I've always wanted to do this. Thanks for the write up!

 

Sweet job done right there. Looks like you really took the time. I'd be afraid to get it crooked. BTW what's the grill whit that old school TOYOTA?...the pic has a white Olds on the left.

 

it says sr5 sport on the title

 

Nice write-up thanks. I just picked up a used sport hood with flaky clear coat for 100 bucks. I think I'm just going to rattle can it black for now, and use as is.

 

Will a '99 hood with a scoop fit on a '98? I really like the look of the hood and I have to get my 4Runner re-painted so I thought of getting the hood. I found an awesome deal on one but I don't want to buy it if it's not going to fit.

 

Yes, it should fit fine if you are talking about the sport hood and not some add on scoop.

 

No, its the sport hood. It looked like it would fit but you never know sometimes. Thanks!

 

98 with aftermarket hood.

 

these hoods aren't cheap where i am. i was quoted $325 for a used one. must keep looking.

 

The scoop from factory has no actual purpose except a slightly different look. If anything it negativly effects performance as you now don't have a smooth hood and it disrupts air flow. Having repainted and assembled a few of these hoods, they would be easy to mod to actually be useful and draw air to cool the engine bay. Just pull out the black inner bit, leave the mesh on and your set. It would still look the same but would actually be useful instead of useless.

In reply to Texas ace, You want softer clear. A hard clear is more prone to cracking and chipping compared to a soft clear.

To the other paint comments. Any good body shop should be able to match the factory look and orange peel of the paint. If your clear is yellowing, take it back. Its getting uv damage. Wether it be product failure or painter error, its still not right. Word of advice from a bodyman, if they don't have a lifetime warranty on repairs, don't have them fix it.

 

Excuse my ignorance, but to adjust the front rubber stops, do we just turn them? shave them to sit lower?


I installed my scooped hood a few months ago and I notice the front is just a little high.. Not enough to notice unless it gets pointed out..but my OCD kicks in when I wash it lol


sorry for the thread revival..

 

Not ignorance. Remember that the only stupid question is one you DON'T ask. Actually I find it to be s good question because if you are asking it there are some others who have the same question but won't ask.

Resolved my issue of "hood envy" with the purchase of a used sport hood from DeathCougar. It is silver from a 99 and mine is a 98 in "desert dune metallic". (Washington title says its beige!) I have not looked at the front rubber bumpers myself so it has prompted me to check now. I need a slight decrease in height as the hood latch seems to be a bit tight after closing. I ended up adjusting the hood latch with a couple of washers to position it farther away from the cross member and I had already adjusted the hood as far back as it would go. It seemed to help but still a bit tight. All the lines look good and seem to be square with the fenders. Lowering the hood maybe 1/16 to 1/8" may do the trick.

 

@ritzy4runner where you able to adjust the hood lower?

 

lol sorry, I didnt quote you.

 

Actually I was able to get the hood adjusted enough that the hood now will "pop" when pulling the hood release. I really do like the look, will try to save up some funds and get it painted the same color and I need to have my left front fender and drivers door repainted. Seems my truck must have been in an accident before I got it but nothing ever showed on any CarFax. Learn some interesting things about our trucks when you start "playing" with them. The fender does not have any ID stickers like all the rest of the body parts, so it was a non-OEM replaced fender and the door paint is chipping like the fender. Clear coat on passenger left door and rear roof on left side peeling/powdering. Still love my truck!

 

So the consensus is the aftermarket hood fits as well as an OEM?

 

Great job on the write-up, answered a lot of my questions about the hood swap.... I like the way you didn't take it for granted that I might be an ASE mechanic and already know what a thing-a-ma-bobber was, or cared what it is really called .... loved it