Carbon Fiber Hood

I dinged up my hood pretty good at one of the Florida Tacoma meets, and I've been looking at replacements. I've been planning on getting a sport hood for a long time, so I would really like to upgrade. I found a carbon fiber sport hood that I think would look pretty awesome and I was wondering if anyone else has a CF hood on their truck and what they thought of it. It's pretty expensive, but I feel like it's less hassle as far as not having to get it painted etc. Just looking for input, thanks!

 

Not having to paint it is not 100% true you still have to clear coat them unless it has already been done usually not though. You pay for quality with CF. Also they are brittle so if you dinged up your hood at a meet if you do the same thing you run the risk of cracking them. CF tends to get more brittle without proper protection from sunlight, the UV damages it. This is from experience and seeing others not properly caring for them.

 

You will need hood pins; at hwy speeds the hood will tend to wobble around because its so light. Cross winds will really flex the hood around. Aerocatch hood pins are the way to go.

 

I second this.

If it is a VIS hood, the it has a fiberglass skeleton. Hannaman (?) also makes a fiberglass hood. Not sure of their price though.

My VIS hood has been repainted, after the clear peeled off. Took about 5 years for that to happen.

 

Unless you store your truck in a shaded area and/or are willing to routinely wax your truck, I don't think it's a good idea. I've seen a ton fade/haze after only a year or so on the vehicle.