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Thoughts on bird bath hood on 80s truck #3084125
10/07/22 07:21 PM
10/07/22 07:21 PM
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ILLINOIS
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volaredon Offline OP
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As title says. I'm thinking it would look good on there/ but would like to see someone else's truck that has done it before I do, and then figure out I don't llike it after I spend the money.
Thoughts??

Re: Thoughts on bird bath hood on 80s truck [Re: volaredon] #3084129
10/07/22 07:52 PM
10/07/22 07:52 PM
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OrangeProwler Offline
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Jury is out for me but, I did find this. Picture pulled from this post here. https://www.ramchargercentral.com/threads/bird-bath-hood-swap.154858/

birdbathhood.jpg
Re: Thoughts on bird bath hood on 80s truck [Re: OrangeProwler] #3084194
10/08/22 01:16 AM
10/08/22 01:16 AM
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Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
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You have to replace the hood and the cowl piece under the wiper arms.
Personally, I hated those birdbath hoods, I changed them out for flat hoods whenever I could. I hated the idea of dumping a hood load of water on top of the starter and the trans dipstick every time I had to open the hood sifter a rain.

Re: Thoughts on bird bath hood on 80s truck [Re: poorboy] #3084260
10/08/22 10:54 AM
10/08/22 10:54 AM
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Moparite Offline
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I like the design/looks of the 70's trucks. But there where draw backs to that hood water dumping being one of them. And the water freezes and you have block of ice moving around on the hood after the hood heats up. It's your choice what you like better.

Re: Thoughts on bird bath hood on 80s truck [Re: volaredon] #3084276
10/08/22 11:42 AM
10/08/22 11:42 AM
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east side of Ohio
basketcase Offline
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I've done several, including my present truck. Liked everyone.

Bird Bath Hood.JPG

Dave


1981 Dodge D150 360 auto
Re: Thoughts on bird bath hood on 80s truck [Re: poorboy] #3084280
10/08/22 11:50 AM
10/08/22 11:50 AM
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larrymopar360 Offline
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Originally Posted by poorboy
You have to replace the hood and the cowl piece under the wiper arms.
Personally, I hated those birdbath hoods, I changed them out for flat hoods whenever I could. I hated the idea of dumping a hood load of water on top of the starter and the trans dipstick every time I had to open the hood sifter a rain.
iagree


Facts are stubborn things.
Re: Thoughts on bird bath hood on 80s truck [Re: basketcase] #3084363
10/08/22 04:20 PM
10/08/22 04:20 PM
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volaredon Offline OP
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Originally Posted by basketcase
I've done several, including my present truck. Liked everyone.

Yeah I forgot about dumping a ton of water on the distributor part of that. The current truck under consideration is just like that blue one shown except for the color, same grille and all. Mine is 2 tone maroon and white. It's gonna be getting painted, probably pretty close to original colors/ though I am really liking some of the maroons/black cherry colors on newer trucks. Just don't like newer trucks prices, ride quality, excess electronics, and plastic content/ besides rusting out faster than the older ones did. that's why I'm fixing up the 85. I have the cowl and wiper pivot s and the hood latch for a bird bath hood. I see another complete setup all grown over at a local yard I want to go get
as I think my son is wanting to do the same thing with his ramcharger.
And as far as dumping water down the firewall, (for now at least) this truck is staying a /6 so the distributor on mine, will be spared a bath.
I do have a '12 ram reg cab long bed and I ain't really crazy about it. I've had since this past new years eve, and it's kinda blah. No character//, and I've always liked the ride of the D/W series, better than anything that has replaced it.
My 12 came with a roll up tonneau and water puddles on it quite a bit as well I hate it because I need to remember to back in the driveway whenever it's gonna rain so the runoff runs off behind me rather than between the bed and the cab.

Last edited by volaredon; 10/08/22 04:24 PM.
Re: Thoughts on bird bath hood on 80s truck [Re: volaredon] #3084460
10/09/22 03:42 AM
10/09/22 03:42 AM
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I like how the birdbath hood had room for the engine decal but other then that they look to flat.

Re: Thoughts on bird bath hood on 80s truck [Re: 5thAve] #3084469
10/09/22 08:57 AM
10/09/22 08:57 AM
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ruderunner Offline
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I've had both, prefer the flat hood for the water and ice reasons.


Angry white pureblood male
Re: Thoughts on bird bath hood on 80s truck [Re: 5thAve] #3084529
10/09/22 12:28 PM
10/09/22 12:28 PM
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Central Florida
larrymopar360 Offline
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Originally Posted by 5thAve
I like how the birdbath hood had room for the engine decal but other then that they look to flat.
Yes, they are cool for the "Power Wagon" badging.


Facts are stubborn things.
Re: Thoughts on bird bath hood on 80s truck [Re: larrymopar360] #3084608
10/09/22 06:10 PM
10/09/22 06:10 PM
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Here is my 80 model with the 76 front end

EE5966FD-2A63-479D-A507-89763CC8A3F6.jpeg

if You Like Gremlinsteve. Gremlinsteve Likes You.
Re: Thoughts on bird bath hood on 80s truck [Re: gremlinsteve] #3084635
10/09/22 07:37 PM
10/09/22 07:37 PM
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volaredon Offline OP
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Originally Posted by gremlinsteve
Here is my 80 model with the 76 front end

Truck looks great, I remember what you posted when you got it, but it don't quite "count " with what I was asking, since besides the grill and hood an 80 looks just like a 76 on the outside anyway. The "new"body style started in 81, which is the body style that I'm askin about, and considering putting 8hood like that onto.
My son has 2 of each hood and cowl for that style hood sitting here, that aren't on trucks I was gonna "steal" one of his haha
Probably 30 years ago I wrecked my 79 I was driving at the time and it was my only vehicle I had and had to grab whatever I could to get it mobile again. The only thing I could find then was a 78 in the local yards, so it got a 78 hood grill, filler panel between hood and grill, and latch. Didn't look anything "special just looked like any other 78 d100 shortbed did back then
But was just wondering about if it would look in a mid 80s "squared off" body.

Re: Thoughts on bird bath hood on 80s truck [Re: volaredon] #3084644
10/09/22 08:09 PM
10/09/22 08:09 PM
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Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
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OK, just a thought for those that like the bird bath hood but don't like the water issue.

My 49 has a rain gutter under the hood that is designed to catch most of the water that gets under its hood, and dumps that water to both sides. Might not be hard to fabricate something on the 72-93 cabs to drain the water run off towards an area it won't cause a problem when you open the hood. The only think I can't remember is how far away from the cab the hood moves as its lifted open. might to too far away by the time the bird bath empties.

Posted are a couple pics of the rain getter under the hood. Its the straight piece that runs side to side.

100_0381.JPGP1010263.JPG
Last edited by poorboy; 10/09/22 08:17 PM.
Re: Thoughts on bird bath hood on 80s truck [Re: poorboy] #3084676
10/09/22 10:22 PM
10/09/22 10:22 PM
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QuickDodge Offline
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Another option for bird bath hood owners:

https://www.ramchargercentral.com/threads/bird-bath-hood-water-dumped-on-the-distributor.59720/



Personally, if I had both style hoods, I'd paint both hoods to match the truck. Then the hoods could be switched whenever a change is desired. A hood scoop could also be added to one of the hoods.

I saw a truck years ago that had two complete front clips. One of them was painted in a solid color like the rest of the truck. The other front clip had flames on it. The owner also had 2 sets of wheels. By changing the front clip and the wheels, the truck could go from stock appearance to a modified look.

Last edited by QuickDodge; 10/09/22 10:33 PM.
Re: Thoughts on bird bath hood on 80s truck [Re: QuickDodge] #3084786
10/10/22 11:06 AM
10/10/22 11:06 AM
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volaredon Offline OP
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Yeah I have both hoods/cowls here anyway. Was thinking about the same thing







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