Moparts
VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief
Posted By: 72demon416
VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 01:23 AM
I started installing my bolt on fibreglass hood and didn't get very far before trouble started. For starters, the hood hinge bolt holes are BARELY close enough to mount one hinge but the other side has the holes out by 1/2" so only one bolt can be installed. The hood overall is 3/8" to far ahead of the cowl so the hood needs to be redrilled or I need to bastardize my hinges slotting them enough to fit.
I realize VFN may not be the number 1 choice out there but they are the only one offering a flat bolt on hood for my Demon...so this is the crap I have to work with, the shipping on the hood for me was $350 so I won't be shipping it back on my dime...
Is this common with these guys? for the guys who have had these kinds of issues in the past did you contact VFN and did they do anything for you? I can fix it's issues but they want you to call before you modify anything and for the $1000 bucks invested in it should I have to be the one to fix it?
Posted By: Deepockets
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 01:36 AM
welcome to the world of fiberglass. i've used aar and glasstech. pretty nice overall, put i dont care who it comes from, that i'm prepared to do some modifacation. you would think that by now that the placement of the mountings would be right by now. i just had a carbon fiber hood built for my dart. i supplyed the perfect steel hood to make a mold off of and it came out really nice, but still not perfect. good luck with it. all said and done i'm sure it will be nice when your done.
Posted By: nhramark
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 01:44 AM
That's a drag. My (pin on) cowl hood is from VFN and it fit dead perfect right out of the box. I did not have to "adjust" anything.
Have you contacted VFN with your concerns?
Posted By: J_BODY
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 01:51 AM
...same situation as Mark on my dads Duster. It wasn't too bad of fit overall.
Posted By: dOrk !
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 02:11 AM
Quote:
the shipping on the hood for me was $350 so I won't be shipping it back on my dime...
HOW were these shipping charges figured ? ....it seems way out-of-line.
And on your hood issues .... SORRY ... but you are going to have to HEAVILY modify your hinges. NOT the way it should be ... but these guys are known for this.
Posted By: 1967dartgt
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 02:18 AM
Canada=expensive shipping
Posted By: 72demon416
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 02:18 AM
I'll phone them tomorrow and see what they recommend. I would of thought that building one of these that fit would be a no brainer but I guess not...
Posted By: VernMotor
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 02:23 AM
Well my bumpers are from them. and they was very nice ?
Posted By: dOrk !
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 02:24 AM
Quote:
Canada=expensive shipping
I realize that .... but maybe 30-50% more. NOT almost THREE TIMES what it is in the states.
uNless VFN didn't do their "homework". 
Posted By: J_BODY
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 02:29 AM
Quote:
Quote:
the shipping on the hood for me was $350 so I won't be shipping it back on my dime...
HOW were these shipping charges figured ? ....it seems way out-of-line.
And on your hood issues .... SORRY ... but you are going to have to HEAVILY modify your hinges. NOT the way it should be ... but these guys are known for this.
Because he lives north of the middle of nowhere! (I lived in the middle of nowhere)
If he was "lucky" he'd know a member in northern Nodak or MT, ship the hood there, and then rely on "maybe" a member from Moosejaw or Saskatoon would drop down in the states for a Mopar show and at least get it north of the border.
Posted By: Mopar-Al
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 02:34 AM
It sounds about right to me. Customs suck. Then the extra taxes and brokerage fee on top of shipping, it really stacks up on them. I was at customs and a canadian lady was bringing back a 9 dollar bottle of wine she bought in Grand Forks N.Dakota. She drove it back to the USA and got a refund and a reciept showing she did. Customs was charging her 120 bucks for the 9 dollar bottle of wine. I wouldn't of believed it if I hadn't of saw it myself.
I was there for 6 hrs, they were taking every item off of my pickup and trailer and checking names and countries on them and declared value.
Posted By: dOrk !
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 02:35 AM
DOING your "homework" .... is making the shipping charges as lite as possible....LIKE shipping it into a more populated area - into a truck terminal that the customer can pick it up at.
Maybe so - the 350$ charges are fair ...... IF they had to send a truck and driver to the "middle of nowhere" ....
But the customer should have been notified of this. And GIVEN that option.
Posted By: fishy340
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 02:50 AM
dont feel bad my 4" cowl bolt on,isn't even on my car,i bought a lift off....the bolt on needed about 2 days labor w a pro body man! thanks glasstek
Posted By: 72demon416
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 02:53 AM
Thanks buddy!
Good to know that I'm not the only one beating my head against the wall.
Posted By: MR_P_BODY
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 02:55 AM
I'm changing my pin on hood(L-body/Rampage) to a bolt
on... its from AAR and it fits very nice... I went to
all of the trouble to keep the hinges now I want to
use them(no springs on the hinges... it uses a prop rod
Posted By: Stanton
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 03:24 AM
Quote:
I realize that .... but maybe 30-50% more. NOT almost THREE TIMES what it is in the states.
Its real simple ...
take whatever shipping costs are in the US and double that. Then add at least $35 for brokerage fees. Now add 13% tax on the value of the goods and shipping. There is no duty thanks to NAFTA !!
And if FedEx is involved, bend over, grab your ankles and take a deep breath 'cause you're gonna get it good !!!
Posted By: 72demon416
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 04:09 AM
I asked to have Yellow Truck deliver it so that I could do my own customs clearance and VFN said "NO, they only use blah,blah,blah".
So it could have been a little cheaper if I could of used someone else but they wouldn't hear of it. In the end it's still expensive no matter who ships anything to me here...
I expect that I will have to slot the hell out of the hinges
Posted By: dOrk !
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 04:42 AM
Quote:
I asked to have Yellow Truck deliver it so that I could do my own customs clearance and VFN said "NO, they only use blah,blah,blah".
So it could have been a little cheaper if I could of used someone else but they wouldn't hear of it. In the end it's still expensive no matter who ships anything to me here...
I expect that I will have to slot the hell out of the hinges
Yellow Truck .. or Yellow Freight ? ...
They wouldn't hear of it ? ... WONDERFUL customer service. 
They were probably getting a kick-back...
Posted By: 72demon416
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 04:49 AM
Yellow Truck .. or Yellow Freight ? ...
They wouldn't hear of it ? ... WONDERFUL customer service.
They were probably getting a kick-back...
Yes, same company- I was thinking the same thing about the kickback idea...
Posted By: dOrk !
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 04:52 AM
Do you still have the freight bill?
Posted By: 72demon416
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 04:56 AM
Sure do! it's in my hand.
ABF freight- $364.56
Posted By: dOrk !
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 05:06 AM
Can you list the charges and the FREIGHT RATING and TITLE ...as it appears on the bill ?
Posted By: 72demon416
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 05:14 AM
exchange rate .95860= 1 US
abf measured cube 25 cu ft
RB- 60 COLLECT
TAR- 254274
OZIP- ABF514
DZIP- 60101
SPEC HAND- S9A2Z3
CUBE DELIVERY DUE- 0025
PQ SCHEDULE NO: 1H92161881
That's all there is on the bill- other than our addresses.
Posted By: dOrk !
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 05:20 AM
How about a list of the charges ? ... or is there just that one amount?
NO weights or costs per hundred-weight?
Posted By: 72demon416
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 05:47 AM
No- just the one amount.
Absolutely no breakdown on the charges like you said, which seems suspicious as to how they came up with that amount....
Posted By: newem
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 06:53 AM
My bolt-on from Glasstek is good. Had to modify the hinges to relieve some spring tension.
Posted By: dennismopar73
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 12:47 PM
does greyhound still ship?? i used to use them, best rate of anyone??
Posted By: 72demon416
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 02:37 PM
I kind of doubt that Greyhound would export out of country freight- but I could be wrong
Posted By: dOrk !
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 05:17 PM
72 ...what is the size and the weight of the box or crate ? .... and there HAS TO BE a classification of the freight and weight on the bill.
Greyhound will not take a part that big .... IIRC.
Posted By: Stanton
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 05:25 PM
I don't blame VFN for using a specific carrier - its smart business. They're shipping something that has potential for damage so they deal with someone they trust to handle the package properly. They probably get a "preferred rate" but no "kickback". And the pickups are scheduled meaning there is no interuption to their normal routine. Having different carriers show up any time they please and not knowing how to handle the product is just a PITA.
Posted By: dOrk !
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/12/11 05:29 PM
And how much truck-freight shipping have you done ?
Posted By: Stanton
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/13/11 12:06 AM
More than you I'd bet !!!! In fact, I would wager that I've done more in one year than you have in your lifetime - both in weight and in truck volume. You don't want to mess with me on this one sonny-boy !!
Posted By: dOrk !
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/13/11 12:15 AM
Quote:
More than you I'd bet !!!!
And I will TAKE THAT bet ...
That I have more PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE shipping parts, dealing with all the aspects and types of carriers ..... ground to air freight, from the actual packaging of the parts, doing all the paperwork, to dealing with the drivers and the people at the terminals ..... EVERYTHING - from soup to nuts ..
Come on back ....if you dare ... 
.... 
Posted By: dOrk !
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/13/11 12:24 AM
Quote:
More than you I'd bet !!!! In fact, I would wager that I've done more in one year than you have in your lifetime - both in weight and in truck volume. You don't want to mess with me on this one sonny-boy !!
Change your post Huh ? ...
Sonny Boy ? ...
Don't just shoot-from-the-hip ....'splain yourself ...
Posted By: dOrk !
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/13/11 12:38 AM
Quote:
I don't blame VFN for using a specific carrier - its smart business. They're shipping something that has potential for damage so they deal with someone they trust to handle the package properly. They probably get a "preferred rate" but no "kickback". And the pickups are scheduled meaning there is no interuption to their normal routine. Having different carriers show up any time they please and not knowing how to handle the product is just a PITA.
JUST to quote your original post ....so you can't add or change anything AGAIN ...
And I will comment DIRECTLY on each point you make ...
SMART business ? ....... is to do what the customer desires. And to save the customer money if you can.
Potential damage ? .... any truck line that has survived this economy is a good operation. And they all self-insure for damage.
NO kickbacks ? .... bull 
(no fan)
Interruption to their routine ? .... FIDDLEsticks.. then GET OUT of the shipping-parts by truck freight business ... 
Posted By: rickstershemi
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/13/11 12:38 AM
Posted By: 72demon416
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/13/11 01:39 AM
Doc,
to answer your question about size of the shipment- the box is 61"x74"x5" and weighs approx 30lbs total and I went over the shipping invoice and there is absolutely no weight or sizes listed other than the 25 cu. Maybe there was additional paperwork that I did not receive?
I called Vfn today and they said the guy in the production dept was away till' Wednesday but to send them some pictures of the problems, so we'll see what they say in a few days I guess.
Posted By: MR_P_BODY
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/13/11 02:18 AM
Potential damage ? .... any truck line that has survived this economy is a good operation. And they all self-insure for damage.
When I got my hood the box was caved in on 2 corners...
thanks GOD the hood wasnt hurt.... its the LAST ONE
and he doesnt have the mold any longer... so all the
insurance in the world wouldnt have done SQUAT... that
was Yellow Freight (which I picked up at their dock...
with all sorts of stuff laying on my hood)
Posted By: Stanton
Re: VFN fibreglass hood install fitment grief - 09/13/11 02:31 AM
Quote:
SMART business ? ....... is to do what the customer desires. And to save the customer money if you can.
Yes, smart business. Dealing with a minimal number of carriers and getting preferred rates for volume will save your customers money. Doing what the customers desires ... BS! Explain to the customer that you do things a certain way for their benefit and they'll usually see it your way.
Quote:
Potential damage ? .... any truck line that has survived this economy is a good operation. And they all self-insure for damage.
Insurance? Great! With all your shipping experience I would imagine at some point you've had to go through that pain! Personally I'd rather have someone I trust handling my goods and never have to deal with insurance. As a customer the last thing I want to hear is "don't worry, its insured". I'd much rather hear "we've been using these guys for years and have never had an issue".
So, how are we gonna settle this ???
