I got a call from the shop about my truck to ask if i had a preference of an aluminum or steel hood for my truck. Well, I didnt know that they apparantly used both of them during the production run. My stocker one is steel, and i need a new one obviously but they said the aluminum was listed as well. The aluminum one also used different hinges and a hood blanket as well.

Anyone know what the reasoning for this was? Besides weird Ford mid year changes? Did certain models get the aluminum hoods or what? I know Explorers and Expeditions got them, but I didnt know the Ranger got them this late into the model run. (i know around 2000 they used them too, along with the SMC powerdomes on the Edge)

I told him to get the aluminum one if it wasnt too big of a pain in the ***. If too much more is different (hood latches and whatnot) then keep it steel.

 

prob a wrong listing the alum hood stopped in what 2003. there was only one style on 2009

 

I thought so. The aluminum one was the flat one correct? A friend's brother has a 2000 with the flat aluminum one. Ive never heard of an aluminum powerdome style one.

 

Aren't the powerdome hoods fiberglass or composite material and not aluminum?

 

mine was 100% steel dented so easy when I had hail damage. I saw a company online that makes the powerdome in fiberglass. but the body shop I used got all my stuff from Ford Motor Co.

 

Yes, the powerdome's are fiberglass...

 

fiberglass powerdome FTW

 

Yes, the pre 04 Powerdomes are composite (SMC i believe). The ones like on my car are steel, and they look similar of course, but they arent as tall or 'crisp' looking as the older ones.