Early Bronco hood options include factory-style steel replacement hoods, aftermarket fiberglass hoods for weight reduction, and high-clearance raised hoods for tall intake or carburetor setups. Tom's Offroad carries both OEM-style steel hoods for period-correct restorations and fiberglass alternatives for builders focused on reducing front-end weight.

The early Bronco hood is hinged at the rear and lifts from the front. Unlike most modern day vehicles, there is no release handle inside the cab. Instead, a hood release lever protrudes through the hood, allowing the user to pop open the hood. A safety release lever on the underside of the hood then needs to be pushed, allowing the hood to fully open. A Hood prop rods or aftermarket hydraulic hood props with built-in support are used to hold it open while working.

The exterior hood hold-down handle on the early Bronco secure the front of the hood to the grill/core support, preventing it from lifting at highway speeds or on rough terrain. They're a functional part of the hood latch system and a classic visual element of the early Bronco's exterior. Replacement hood latches are available through Tom's Offroad when the original becomes worn or corroded.

Yes, both steel and fiberglass early Bronco hoods can be painted to match the body using standard automotive refinishing products. Steel hoods should be properly primed with an epoxy primer before topcoat application to prevent rust. Fiberglass hoods require an adhesion promoter or fiberglass-compatible primer before painting. A quality paint job starts with thorough surface preparation.

A sagging or misaligned early Bronco hood is usually caused by worn or bent hood hinge brackets, loose hinge bolts, or a twisted hood panel from an old impact. Adjust the hood hinge bolts first to bring the panel into proper alignment with the fenders and cowl. If the hinges themselves are bent, replacement hinge sets are available from Tom's Offroad and correct the issue without hood replacement.