I'm torn in a purchasing decision. Now my 89 is pretty much a show poney... It goes to the 4x4 jamborees and car shows and shit like that. I don't wheel it because I have a well equipped Jeep TJ and another ranger to beat on is in the works.

So, I am going to ditch the hood that is on it which has a J-key fiberglass scoop on it. I have looked at both cowl induction hoods as well as the mach I style hood offered by usbodysource. Either way I am going to spend $400 on a quality fiberglass hood. On the other hand I could buy a stock steel replacement for $90.

On one hand the scoops are real nifty but they don't serve a real purpose and they break up the flat smooth surface of the hood. This isn't neccessarily a bad thing but the hood is where the shine on your paint job gleams the most.

On the other hand the scoops can let in water which will shit up my well detailed engine bay and create more work for me to clean.

So there is a trade off between fine paint work and exterior styling. Both are equally important to me but it is hard for me to be objective as whatever I do to my truck pretty much always looks good to me.

I am torn... Anyone else have some insight to offer?

If something is functional, than it may have requirements. If something is useless, then its pointless to purchase it. Unfortunately, scoops in this application fall somewhere in the middle, or in what I call the "doodads" class.

My opinion would be to go with the stock steel replacement for $90. You would be out less initially, and you will always have the option to change your mind. Besides, hoods in good shape retain their value pretty well, so nothing would stop you from selling it if and when you change your mind.

Also.....Cleaning engines sucks....lol....scoopless, brudda....scoopless...lol

__________________
One big ass 390... One small ass F100... Donuts anyone???

I think you're right man. The fiberglass hood is mighty gizmo-ish and I don't think that it will add enough to the truck to justify that extra four hundred bucks. That is half the price of the set of 37" goodyear MTRs that I plan to put on it.