Max1196
Member
White one 1975, green one 1980 with "flat" hood. Some small differences, but nothing really sticks out for a difference at all.
bird bath hoods on newer D/W trucks
- Thread starter volaredon
- Start date
Update
I still have the 85, now also have an 83 D 250 down to a bare frame, body is in being "dustless blasted" as we speak.
I have the birdbath hood and a couple of cowls known for sure to have come off of birdbath hood trucks. Should have thought to compare them while both were in my hands. Also have the bird bath hood latch to go with it. The birdbath is going on the 85. My son has (2) bird bath hoods, one of which I know he wants to put onto his 89 ramcharger. I may get the other one he has to put onto my 85 down the road.
I still have the 85, now also have an 83 D 250 down to a bare frame, body is in being "dustless blasted" as we speak.
I have the birdbath hood and a couple of cowls known for sure to have come off of birdbath hood trucks. Should have thought to compare them while both were in my hands. Also have the bird bath hood latch to go with it. The birdbath is going on the 85. My son has (2) bird bath hoods, one of which I know he wants to put onto his 89 ramcharger. I may get the other one he has to put onto my 85 down the road.
Angry scientist
Active Member
I put a 72? Hood on my 89 because the 89 hood looked stodgy. But, like a dumb ass I didn't realize that:
1) the grill between the windshield and the hood is different
2) the top radiator bracket (?) that the hood locks on is different.
It fits, kinda, but I wouldn't drive it down the driveway with it like this.
Ever since I had my 76,I've wanted a newer version with the 76 hood and dash. I don't know what I was thinking when I only took the hood. But, one word sums it up,
DUH
1) the grill between the windshield and the hood is different
2) the top radiator bracket (?) that the hood locks on is different.
It fits, kinda, but I wouldn't drive it down the driveway with it like this.
Ever since I had my 76,I've wanted a newer version with the 76 hood and dash. I don't know what I was thinking when I only took the hood. But, one word sums it up,
DUH
Kern Dog
Well-Known Member
How about a picture ?
7mopar
Well-Known Member
Not sure what the difference is in-between windshield and hood. I have three covers 74-86 they look the same to me. Radiator core support was changed I think in 82 & 85. May have changed a few times in the 70's on count of different head light buckets.
But if one really wants it can be done.
But if one really wants it can be done.
7mopar
Well-Known Member
Not sure what the difference is in-between windshield and hood. I have three covers 74-86 they look the same to me. Radiator core support was changed I think in 82 & 85. May have changed a few times in the 70's on count of different head light buckets.
But if one really wants it can be done.
But if one really wants it can be done.
I have the cowl panel for mine as was used with the bird bath hood. As someone here did for me before I got my hood, I compared a bird bath hood cowl to a newer truck cowl and off the truck they look the same to me... but they're not. Also have 2 good latches that were used with these hoods. There's a mid 70s "sno-fiter" power wagon in the local yard I seen yesterday (didn't have time to get there and get the goodies off of that I want) but the hood is rotten on the underside, but the spring, hood catch and another latch for good measure.
Also has the D O D G E letters still there as these hoods used but those aren't great/ but better than what I have now.. (none) I'll be on the lookout for a better set but will take these because they're there.
Also has the D O D G E letters still there as these hoods used but those aren't great/ but better than what I have now.. (none) I'll be on the lookout for a better set but will take these because they're there.
Angry scientist
Active Member
Imagine my surprise when I found out that the 90&up are completely different except for the outer skin! At least the door hinges look stronger. I'll post a few pictures later today.
The 88-ish and newer doors aren't stronger. You'd be better with doors off an 87-older. I'm finding this out as I put my 83 back together. I have 88,90,91 doors and I have the original 83 doors. Look at the front frame of the door, if you have them next to each other the difference is obvious and you'll see what I mean
My son's 89 ramcharger the door is cracked and falling apart, I bought the reinforcements from metal by Charlie to reinforce mine before they look like my son's door
Which is a shame because his truck came from Vegas, I went and retrieved it myself his doors are as rust free as they come but are cracked vertical right next to the wing window. And no way to get inside and weld on/ beef them up...
My son's 89 ramcharger the door is cracked and falling apart, I bought the reinforcements from metal by Charlie to reinforce mine before they look like my son's door
Which is a shame because his truck came from Vegas, I went and retrieved it myself his doors are as rust free as they come but are cracked vertical right next to the wing window. And no way to get inside and weld on/ beef them up...
I'm using my '91 doors in my latest project, even though id rather take the older ones, because they were the easiest to get to in storage...
I did spend the money on a set of "metal by Charlie's" reinforcement kit for them..
The cracked doors is more of a problem on power window equipped trucks but not exclusive to them....
I did spend the money on a set of "metal by Charlie's" reinforcement kit for them..
The cracked doors is more of a problem on power window equipped trucks but not exclusive to them....
Angry scientist
Active Member
I should have elaborated on my post that I was referring to the hinges. I've had been driving Dodge vans from 80 to 2010(+-?) and I can't remember what year(s) I had hinge issues with but, I vividly remember one that I always had to lift to close. A friend got me oversized pins for my 89,yah, right. I don't think it's a sheet metal issue on my 89.
I'll bet the same engineering team that designed the 89 door hinge(s) also designed the wiper bushings .
I'll bet the same engineering team that designed the 89 door hinge(s) also designed the wiper bushings .
Angry scientist
Active Member
I meant to say: I'd been driving Dodge vans from 1980 to 2020(+-?)
Angry scientist
Active Member
It might be the hood is bowed. The reinforcement under it is/was partially detached. The latch and mabe the cross piece definitely need to be changed
I may be looking for another bird bath hood
Or else going back to the default 79-93 one. The idiot that sandblasted mine did not do it by the process that he had promised, used plain old black beauty on it and warped the shyt out of it for me. I'm beyond pissed. Its at the body shop, I'm waiting to see if they can straighten it out for me without a ton of Bondo. If it takes a shitload of Bondo to make it presentable it isn't going on there
Or else going back to the default 79-93 one. The idiot that sandblasted mine did not do it by the process that he had promised, used plain old black beauty on it and warped the shyt out of it for me. I'm beyond pissed. Its at the body shop, I'm waiting to see if they can straighten it out for me without a ton of Bondo. If it takes a shitload of Bondo to make it presentable it isn't going on there
7mopar
Well-Known Member
Did he warp just the sheet metal? I can't see it as being a body mans dream. Over worked metal never is.
Angry scientist
Active Member
Surprised he didn't turn it into Swiss cheese. My first experience with black beauty did more damage than it removed.
Other parts of the truck got that... Holes in the cab roof I didn't know was there
Also a series of holes roughly vertical alongside the mirror mount in a door
And a very puffy fender that looked really nice when covered in paint ( and Bondo)
I brought them a different door and fender that didn't get blasted, from my stash. I fear the same thing will happen pertaining to that hood but if so it'll have to be a stock 80s style hood since I have 2 of those and no more birdbath hoods in my stash
Also a series of holes roughly vertical alongside the mirror mount in a door
And a very puffy fender that looked really nice when covered in paint ( and Bondo)
I brought them a different door and fender that didn't get blasted, from my stash. I fear the same thing will happen pertaining to that hood but if so it'll have to be a stock 80s style hood since I have 2 of those and no more birdbath hoods in my stash
Yup. He did. I'm not going to make them try to get it straight. I'm either gonna put the flat hood I have on it (don't want to) or find another bird bath. I have 2 leads on replacement bird bath hoods, and the body shop has both of my bird bath hood cowls I have flat hood cowls here if I have to go that way.
I have both style of hood hinges here, they look like they would interchange. "as a set" with either hood
I glass beaded both sets and want to get them powder coated but may just epoxy paint them and paint them with industrial polyurethane that I have on hand and call it good.