The Diesel Garage - A Performance Diesel Site


APM Aftermarket Hood Install on Ford 6.0L
by Unbroken

The APM G-Force power hood came to me packaged very well in a heavy cardboard box with expandable foam holding everything in place...it was definitely packed to travel with the roughest of truckers. My initial impression was to laugh...what else can you do when you're greeted by something so awesome...It was shipped already primered and almost ready for paint. The metal grilles for the ram-air vents were already installed.

I fit the hood and only had to make one minor adjustment to one rear corner. 5 minutes with a small file and it was as close to perfect as you can get. Making minor adjustments was extremely easy considering the hood is completely made from plastic. It doesn't gouge or break like fiberglass would. Installation was so simple even a kid could do it. All you need is a 10mm and 5/32" socket and ratchet. I removed the factory under hood light from the stock hood, removed the (2) 10mm bolts on each side holding the stock hood on...then removed the factory hood latch. The APM hood comes with studs molded into it and the corresponding nuts needed to bolt it on....install literally took 2 minutes. The factory hood latch bolted back on without any issues at all. After the initial test fit the APM hood was removed and sent out for paint. The body shop where it was painted was skeptical about the plastic material the hood is made from. However afterwards they told me it was the best aftermarket hood they had ever dealt with. They blocked the primer coat the hood came with, then primed it again, lightly blocked it again, then sprayed the paint. It's smooth as glass...on both sides. The body shop guys all asked where it came from, and several were interested in APM hoods for their own vehicles. During the final install I took my time to make sure nothing got scratched...and it still took all of 5 minutes to install.

The only thing extra I had to do is drill a few holes to re-install the factory hood light and wiring....making sure not to drill completely through the hood...

All in all, the fit and finish on this hood is better than any I've seen before, and I've been through a number of other company's hoods on various projects. Right now they offer a true ram-air box that attaches to the hood and mates with an aftermarket cold air kit...though it's only available for the 5.4L motor right now. This option will be available for the 6.0 diesel soon. APM was a really easy company to deal with. They took all my calls promptly and were friendly every time I called. They make 2 different types of Superduty hoods, as well as numerous hoods and other accessories for other makes and models. If you're looking for something different and quite aggressive....give them a shot...you won't be disappointed. www.ramairhood.com Tell them The Diesel Garage sent you.