Two piece hood: are these supposed to be welded together?

[robroy]

Good morning,

Our trucks seem to have hoods that are composed to two pieces: the larger, top "shell" piece and an infrastructure piece on the under side of the hood.

I've always noticed that on my truck, the hood looks like it's vibrating up and down while driving, especially on rough roads. When I look under the hood I can see that the two pieces aren't welded together, which probably explains this.

Other evidence around the hood suggests that there may have been an engine fire or collision. The front of the hood has some primer and bondo on it while the rest of the hood is untouched, and the grille was replaced at some point with a 1970 style (or at least the grille inserts were replaced).

So are these two pieces of the hood supposed to be welded together? If mine aren't, would it be worth it to have a shop weld them back together or is the hood toast?

Thanks very much!
-Robroy

[mljjones67]

Mine has some type of glue at points under the hood to hold them together. I don't think they were welded however. I have not looked but I am sure they sale this stuff some where.

[robroy]

Hey Mike! Very interesting! Now that you mention it I have seem patches of this thick, glue like stuff between the two hood pieces on other trucks. I always thought it was there in addition to some spot welds but perhaps not.

Thanks for your reply Mike,
-Robroy

[convincor]

It would be welded at the edges but the center area's would should have body caulk between the two layers of steel. This works as a adhesive as well as controling vibration.

[mljjones67]

I haven't bought the flat bed yet. It will be awhile before I get to that point. I am going with the falt bed for the look, and it will be easier to mount than the 67 bed. Wheel base changed and so did the width of the frame rails. I think with the little bit of chrome i will be using and the polished aluminum flat bed it should come out nice. I also want to build some nice hard wood rail to go around the top around 18" high.

[rjewkes]

i think that would work good, a flatbed with some low or medium hieght side rails.

And the lockable boxes underneath.