Carbon Fiber Hood & Hood Pins Install
This was done on a 2nd Gen Dsm.
It's easy...you don't even need another person to help you do it.......
Tools/Supplies (For hood installation):
Carbon Fiber Hood (VIS) :thumb:
Ratchet/Wrench
10 mm socket
WD40 (For stubborn bolts)
Tool/Supplies (For Pins):
Drill w/drill bits
Smallest wrench you can get your hands on!
White out/Vaseline (anything that will leave a small mark)
Step 1:
STOCK HOOD REMOVAL
Gather your tools & start prep work. Since I did it myself, I used the hood prop as my "helper". Grab your wrench or ratchet (w/10mm socket). There are 4 of these bolts, if you're having a hard time w/the bolts, break out the WD40 and go at it from there. I did the passenger side first then the driver side, so the prop would keep the hood up. Keep in mind that the stock hood is HEAVY & as the last bolt starts to come loose it will start to buckle a bit. Let the prop down & hold it up. Once the last bolt is free, take off and rest it on something i.e. grass etc. to avoid scratches.
Step 2:
CARBON FIBER HOOD INSTALLATION
Grab your C/F hood and match it to the bolt holes. Start by hand tightening so you can get it to sit right. Grab your trusty prop and that's more than enough to hold the hood up. Tighten and do fine adjustments until you're bolted up.
Step 3:
GETTING THE HOOD TO CLOSE PROPERLY
Usually with your stock hood, it was fairly simple to close your hood. Now with the C/F hood, it's a bit more delicate. I've seen people crack their hoods because they ignored this VERY SIMPLE STEP. Most companies put bolt on latches where the stock latch would be, so that you can adjust it left or right (VIS has this). You'll need to fiddle with the latch til you get it just right. Patience is the most important factor. Take your time & do it correctly the FIRST time to avoid cracking/breaking/whatev. Once this is done, it may still be a bit of a chore to close the hood (mine is notorious for this)....so being gentle is a plus. Once you have it set, re-tighten bolts so that it stays. Close the hood so the latch engages. If everything looks good, hop in the car and pull the latch release to make sure everything is in good working order. If it works good. If it doesn't pop....then you're up Shit Creek with no paddle.
Step 4:
Hood Pin Install (Optional, but HIGHLY recommended)
Find a good mounting spot on your car, i.e. beside the front headlights etc. Check the bolt size of the pins and match with your drill bit.
Drill hole, insert pin and tighten. Once the pin is tightend, put a few drops of white out/vaseline on the top. Close the hood, it should leave a mark for where you need to drill.
Step 5:
Drilling The Hood
A delicate procedure, but can be done by a novice. I used a painters mask & goggles because of the MASSIVE amounts of c/f dust etc. that comes out when you drill. Carefully drill out the holes, be sure to keep to the marks you made prior to drilling.
Once drilling is complete, close hood. With hood closed, slip over the metal plate that covers the gash you put on it and screw the plates in. Once that is complete, you're pretty much done.
Step 6:
Clean The Car
You can't have a nice improvement like a c/f hood & have a vehicle covered in dust. Wash her & go pick up some chics/guys or whatev.
Hope this helped someone!
:thumb:
Phil
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