Best Expedition Vehicle Hood for Sledding?

[Haggis]

With talk of the coming of the first flakes of winter, the kids brought up the fact that we need a couple of new sleds for careening down hill sides. My buddy and I were telling the kids about how we use to mod up old car hoods with handholds to use as "party sleds" and fly down a hill with a dozen or so people hanging on for dear life. Our best ones were hoods from a '75 Pontiac Grand Prix and a '72 Olds Delta 88. Now we've had discussions on almost all aspects, pros and cons, of the various breeds of "Expo" rigs but have yet to determine which breed and model's hood would make the best sled. Factors to consider: potential speed, manuverabilty, ruggedness, weight to height of hill ratio, potential to inflict the most life threatening terror, and occupant survivability. Feel free to be totaly biased in your statements, and we might need to do a "Expo Hood Race Challenge" if the debate is not settled come winter. What else is there to do as the snow piles up?

So is it Jeep? Of course the new dents from sledding will match the dents on the rest of the Heep. Plus Jeeps spend alot of their time upside down anyway.

How about Toyota? Heck Yeah! Plus Four Wheel and Hood Sledding Magazine only shows Jeeps upside dwon and never a Toyota!

Nissan maybe? Dude! The X in Xterra is for EXTREME after all! Didn't you see the commercial?

Land Rover? Philistines! Haven't you heard of SKIS! Be a good chap and make us a cocktail, Reginald.

[Fishenough]

We trucked a 58 Cadillac Eldorado hood, she was decaying in back of our family farm, up to the ski hill the day before opening day. Following a coat of floor wax, with 4 old enough to know better young adults onboard, that thing flew.

Wasn't ideal though, too heavy and big surface area resulted in uncontrollable speed; the life threating terror was there. Great survivability, a solid piece of American steel to ensure it held up to sudden stops against a tree. Definite ability to ensure any viewers feared for our life.

Generated hours of laughs and the resulting 'dummies' directed at us twenty year olds going on twelve.

And later when responding to my mother on what happen to the hood of the caddy, pretty sure see said we had to be the dummist people in the world.

But there's always a bigger fish.

Thanks for the memories.

[02TahoeMD]

Oh my, this topic has given me a much, much needed laugh. Wow....need to catch my breath. Personally, I would get a nice old Chevy HD hood, nice and deep in the center ( when upside down ) and of course made strong enough to stand up to the guaranteed impacts with assorted solid objects.

[Speaker]

None of the above. I chose VW beetle, 1967. Ahh, I miss that car.:cool:

http://dana.ucc.nau.edu/~dz29/cars/VWs/67beetlesnow.jpg

[Haggis]

None of the above. I chose VW beetle, 1967. Ahh, I miss that car.:cool:

http://dana.ucc.nau.edu/~dz29/cars/VWs/67beetlesnow.jpg

Ummm...normally we remove the hood before using it as a sled, but hey whatever works for you. :hehe:

Cool pic!

[Michael Slade]

Range Rover Classic...definitely.

Here are the reasons:

1. It has three lipped sides. Won't dig into the snow.

2. It has two 'keels' if you will. Will keep the hood pointed straight and not spin.

3. The idea of somone taking their Range Rover hood and making it into a sled is deliciously stupid.

Awesome poll!!!!

[MuddyMudskipper]

Range Rover Classic...definitely.

Here are the reasons:

1. It has three lipped sides. Won't dig into the snow.

2. It has two 'keels' if you will. Will keep the hood pointed straight and not spin.

3. The idea of somone taking their Range Rover hood and making it into a sled is deliciously stupid.


I thought the very same thing.

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/arb/P1010134.jpg

[b jeepin]

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/grayling%203%2007/march23063.jpg
works as a sled for the truck, or
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/grayling%203%2007/2007_0325Image0090.jpg
just for you!

here a better one:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/grayling%203%2007/4_wheel_012.jpg

[silvergrand]

what....no duct tape ???!!

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/grayling%203%2007/march23063.jpg
works as a sled for the truck, or
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/grayling%203%2007/2007_0325Image0090.jpg
just for you!

here a better one:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/CheapThrillsOffRoad1/grayling%203%2007/4_wheel_012.jpg


That's one generous tow vehicle. Not only does he pull you out, he gives you his hood to act as a sled. I need to wheel with that guy.

[Michael Slade]

That's one generous tow vehicle. Not only does he pull you out, he gives you his hood to act as a sled. I need to wheel with that guy.

We should all *be* that guy.

[Haggis]

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/arb/P1010134.jpg

After examining the hood on the above vehicle, it's plain to see that this is an entirely poor design for a sled. Notice the scoop on the rear of the hood, this would serve to act as a "Snow Brake" and limit the potential top end speed. This would only be desirable for the elderly and mama's boys. Plus the twin "keels" would limit the effectiveness of the hood in the Tree Slalom event and prevent any terror inducing spinning as the sled careens down the hill. On the other hand we have seen what a fine sled a Ranger hood makes and should be one to really consider by all hood sledding enthusiasts.

[jcbrandon]

Late model Dodge Power Wagon:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3235/2886908636_72d773e088.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbrandon/2886908636/in/set-72157605255524102/)

The grill is attached to and rises with the hood for access to the engine bay. The top hood sledding teams retain this feature, thus providing one of the few factory hood sleds with an OEM brush guard.

[Michael Slade]

After examining the hood on the above vehicle, it's plain to see that this is an entirely poor design for a sled. Notice the scoop on the rear of the hood, this would serve to act as a "Snow Brake" and limit the potential top end speed. This would only be desirable for the elderly and mama's boys. Plus the twin "keels" would limit the effectiveness of the hood in the Tree Slalom event and prevent any terror inducing spinning as the sled careens down the hill. On the other hand we have seen what a fine sled a Ranger hood makes and should be one to really consider by all hood sledding enthusiasts.

The 'snow brake' is actually a valence that is not part of the hood. If you look at the driver's side of the hood you can see the break where the hood actually ends. It lifts up right in front of the air intake. Keels keep the sled straight so you can see what terrifying obstacle you're about to hit, also helps with speed.

I stand by my choice. :sombrero:

[MuddyMudskipper]

After examining the hood on the above vehicle, it's plain to see that this is an entirely poor design for a sled. Notice the scoop on the rear of the hood, this would serve to act as a "Snow Brake" and limit the potential top end speed. This would only be desirable for the elderly and mama's boys. Plus the twin "keels" would limit the effectiveness of the hood in the Tree Slalom event and prevent any terror inducing spinning as the sled careens down the hill. On the other hand we have seen what a fine sled a Ranger hood makes and should be one to really consider by all hood sledding enthusiasts.

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/hella/DSC00074.jpg

[IH8RDS]

Mark

I agree with Slade :bike_rider:

[Haggis]

I stand by my choice. :sombrero:

Touche, Sir. Point to team Rover. My eyes fooled me.

How about my Wrangler hood? With the rolled sides and smaller raised center surface section, the Wrangler hood could be the snowboard of the expo sledding team. Highly manuverable and light weight, though propably limited to 3 people at the most. Plus reverse the footman loop for an underside tie down.

[12husky]

Down here on the eastern shore of Maryland we don't have any hills so all of our sledding is done in fields being pulled by trucks. My personal favorite hood for the job is from my '93 fullsize bronco after I hit a tree dead-on (while it was still on the truck). It now has just enough bend-up in the front so that you don't dig into snowbanks!

[IH8RDS]

After having some time this weekend and loosing allot of sleep over it.... I think one of the best options would be a 1957 pickup truck hood. It isn’t technically an "ExPo" vehicle, but it has a good design. There is also two ribs on the top that would make nice skids for the ice. I have owned one of these gems, and let me tell you, I bet you could get 4 maybe 5 full grown adults on there.

I think for expo purposes, If we call it a bonnet we just might be able to pull it off.


http://www.chevysri.com/images/57_Chevy_Hood.jpg

[cjmitchell5]

My vote is for a Series Rover hood err, I mean bonnet. The only caveats are it's pretty small so it'd have to ridden solo or two at most and it's best to have one w/o the spare tire provisions. Other than that, it's relatively light weight, concave, and can be removed/replaced without tools.

http://www.landrovercentre.com/image/Series_II.jpg

[Michael Slade]

Another good hood would be from a mid-70's Ford truck. I believe Rover copied the idea from Ford when they designed the Range Rover hood. 3-lips and a keel down the center. A nice design for sure.

That pick-up truck hood reminded me of the Ford hood...it might actually be the most superior of all. I'll have to see if I have a shot of my Dad's '53 Chevy 1-ton dump-truck hood. IIRC it would be pretty sweet too.

I think an article in OJ is in order...after all winter is coming up.

[IH8RDS]

I always thought Mark should have his little corner in the OJ. They could call it "Mark's Deep Thoughts"

[b jeepin]

i totally agree, i know that some of us have pretty trucks, but if your stranded in the boonies you have to do something! we were very lucky that day for the snow i don't think it would have pulled all that great on dirt. this was on a guys trip in northern michigan. it was a great time and a great group of people. also the recover got my jeep back to the field next to the road so i could bring a trailer, the snow was melted in the open areas only still blanketing the ground in the wooded areas!


ps: we did use plenty of duct tape that weekend!:sport_box

[Robthebrit]

a mog hood is good because its made to comes off the truck when working on it. The old ones are nice and curvy too..

[Haggis]

I always thought Mark should have his little corner in the OJ. They could call it "Mark's Deeply Troubled Thoughts"

There I fixed that for you!

[Michael Slade]

Maybe not an 'expedition vehicle', but I've noticed that the PT Cruiser has a pretty dang nice hood for sledding.

Yes, I really have been thinking about this that much. :victory:

[jim65wagon]

"Mark's Deeply Troubled Thoughts"

This would certainly bring the Overland Journal to a whole new level!

As far as the hood goes, my neighbor two doors down has an unlicensed suburban in his backyard. He'd probably never notice a missing hood. Of course, we'd have to get snow first...

[Haggis]

"Mark's Deeply Troubled Thoughts"

This would certainly bring the Overland Journal to a whole new level!

I'm going to take that as a compliment and think happy thoughts, you crusty Welshman.


As far as the hood goes, my neighbor two doors down has an unlicensed suburban in his backyard. He'd probably never notice a missing hood. Of course, we'd have to get snow first...

You could mount some casters on it and roll down that steep driveway of yours. Pile some hay bales in front of the garage doors to keep from maiming yourself first though.

I was wandering through my neighbors junk yard today and he's got a early forties Mack truck rotting away, but it's got one sweet hood on it. I'm going to see if I can get that one, it's got some awesome potential to be a contender!

[jeepmedic46]

I'd go with a jeep hood:arabia:

[SinCityFJC]

I'd go for a Jeep CJ hood - would have to ride it sideways & only do turns:cool:

This one's been upside down before
http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/43813/2692101500050172860S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2692101500050172860aWilrW)

[Van_Homan]

And the winner is.....

1942 Tatra Aeroluge

From the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, TN

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/BrianDunlap/junk%20that%20cant%20be%20deleted/LaneCarMuseum075.jpg


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/BrianDunlap/junk%20that%20cant%20be%20deleted/LaneCarMuseum085.jpg


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/BrianDunlap/junk%20that%20cant%20be%20deleted/LaneCarMuseum090.jpg


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/BrianDunlap/junk%20that%20cant%20be%20deleted/LaneCarMuseum063.jpg


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/BrianDunlap/junk%20that%20cant%20be%20deleted/LaneCarMuseum069.jpg

[Bullseye240]

I just think it funny that the guy who mentioned the Series Rover hood a few pages back thinks he's going to get it back on after sledding down a hill full of trees!!!:xxrotflma

[Funrover]

It's too late to vote...HOWEVER I am gonna go with a 1950 Mercury.