Since the old Bullnose hood used traditional "car type" hinges and the new Jeepster hood uses old school Jeep hood hinges I need to beef up the cowl to accept new hinge bolts and prevent stress on the thin sheet metal.


I used some 5/16" by 3 1/2" wide flatbar, measured up my holes then drilled and tapped them to accept the 5/16" hood bolts. I cut the flatbar 4 1/2" long so that the plates will have a good spread and prevent stress on the area of the cowl. I will drill some holes in the cowl sheet metal and plug weld the plates to the cowl while being held up tight by the hinge bolts.


Just when I thought I was done with the bodywork on the cowl it looks like I'll have a little more bodywork to do after the welding! Oh well at least it will be strong.