I need ideas for a custom vented hood

[dave07ex]

I'm wondering if anyone has pictures of any custom made hood scoops or vented hoods. I plan to mod the hood on my 08 to be vented. I couldn't find anything via a google search. I bought some automotive aluminum grill material for $5 and I do have some ideas, I was just hoping to see what others may have done. Please post any pics or links that may help me with my '$5.00 hood mod'

[JOHNDOE83]

Here is my hood I made out of thin galvanized sheet metal.

Id think you could do the same custom thing to fit your 08, I was thinking the next one would be diamond plate.

http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=456483&highlight=johndoe83

[dave07ex]

Thanks for the input but I'm not looking to fab a totally new piece. My ideas are more along the lines of cutting out a portion in the middle of the hood and applying mesh screen to the underside. Anyone else do anything like that?

[82toyota]

here one i got at sandtrax lol

[dave07ex]

I'm thinking of something like this. I'd like to cut out the triangle shaped piece and then apply some automotive grill mesh material (see below) to the underside of the hood. I got a 6"x36" piece of aluminum grill mesh for $5.00 on evilbay. Pay no attention to the grey circles, they are to mark the spots where I would use a hole saw to cut the corners out. I want the edges to be rounded for a better look. Comments/input on the idea?
http://i54.tinypic.com/ifn09u.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/ek2v44.jpg

[CJM]

I think you could pull it off, would look good too.

When you cut the plastic, take a propane torch or preferably a heat gun and heat the edges of the cut slightly-will take away the white plastic appearance cause by the cutting.

[dave07ex]

Should I use the heat gun on the 3 corners where the holesaw is going to be used or just on the straight cuts in between?

[CJM]

Wherever you see white you use the heatgun to make the white go away.

Id practice on the piece you cut out.

[dave07ex]

Oh ok. Thanks for the advice. Hopefully I'll have the mesh by Monday and can then start the project.

[dave07ex]

CJM, got the hood cut. No problems with the hole saw or making the straight cuts. I did have the heat gun ready, just in case. The mesh will be in tomorrow. I'll have the hood finished by Saturday night or Sunday. Pics will be posted.

[CJM]

Very cool Dave, cant wait to see it.

[dave07ex]

Here's the finished product. I have other pics that I can post if anyone wants to see them. I also fab'd a cover mounted over the top of the wiring harnesses that are attached to the frame directly above the headlight.

http://i54.tinypic.com/4ptwzk.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/2ztiqzs.jpg

[Shawthy33]

Well done, reading the thread I was suspect but the finished product looks great.

[dave07ex]

It was easier than I thought it would be. The plastic was very easy to cut without marring the edges. I'm not sure if this will do anything at all for performance, but I think it looks damn cool. All I know is there won't be anyone else on the trails with a hood like this one.

Close-up view

http://i52.tinypic.com/npl4ph.jpg

[CJM]

Turned out very nice, I like it!

[dave07ex]

Thanks CJM.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot to specifiy that this cost me less than $10 ($5.00 plus shipping for mesh) to do and I have enough mesh left over for 3 more vents of similar size.

[NMills]

Looking at that makes me wonder who's wheeler it really is...
http://www.mathewingram.com/work/wp-content/uploads/spy%20vs%20spy.jpg