What would you buy?

Being that I work on my own stuff…big hood of some type. probably w9 or 3x9 pete preferably a b model cat wouldn’t rule out an e model or n14 but prefer mechanical for simplicity and fuel mileage in my business is kind of a joke. Yes I care but being able to flip the hood and get to work is more important because the mileage will suck no matter what it looks like. And I like the way a hood truck looks. No e log is also a major plus.

 

I wouldn't own a hood.

They can't handle the beating of the roads.

I know where a few are with broken hoods.

 

Not disagreeing but can’t really think of much that does hold up. We have had everything from short hood Ford to extended hood Pete and can’t say I’ve noticed much difference
I will say maintenance of the front shocks is highly important to keeping any size hood together.

 

The short hoods have better support and are lighter. They don't flop around as much.

The long hoods pretty much support themselves and are heavier. The bushings wear out. The fiberglass breaks. And now they're sitting on the radiator. And there isn't much space between hood and radiator so the hood doesn't have to drop much to eat up the radiator.

 

For a quater million dollars the had better figured out how to make them work. A lot of money plus high insurance for a shop queen.

 

My hood has held up for 2 million miles, oneset of hinges ( i got them free) and maybe 2 sets of springs.

 

I’d buy a Coronado Glider. 12.7-13-355. It would have to be priced right. Cheap enough to replace the whole engine if needed.

 

I know of a few. None of them made it to 1M.

 

The Coronado with a Detroit is also very light for a truck with a large sleeper.

 

Id probably go with a Mack if I were buying new, especially if it were to have an automated transmission