"So thinking beyond buying a 'glass hood, I'd be interested in hearing what the best method might be for lightening a steel hood is and if it's worth doing".
Same thing I'm looking at doing, cutting out most of the steel bracing and making fiberglass channels formed and bonded to the hood, just bought a used hood to experiment on.
2001 Dodge Dakota 408 All Motor 11.27 @ 117.83 mph 2017 NM Mopar Challenge Series Champion.