442 hood pin install on a Vista Cruiser wagon

[@allen.wells.69wells16]

If I had a 1/4 of your talent and patience, I'd be a dangerous man! You sir are a metal wizard! Thank you for your teachings!

[@ChaplainSkelton]

Tony, those hood pins look amazing! You had to pull out your bag of tricks on this one. I can't believe how much work went into this. When you had to remove the bumper my jaw dropped. I would have never dreamed it would have been this complicated. So glad you are the one doing this because it is way above my skill level! My car is in good hands! ❤️

[@teejay622]

Good hands indeed!

[@fitzeesfabrications]

The hood open and closed so nice a over looked the fitment. I run into all sorts of this stuff over the years. You be amazed at what I have seen.

[@jimwhalen6769]

Ben you are going to have one of a kind!

[@Cowboy_Ash]

Similar approach in woodworking; known as “hang and cut”. No measuring needed. It’s used a lot in boat building where it’s hard to reference from curves.

[@dayslife]

it will look so good that people will doubt and start saying that this is the original ram hood and all the oem fiberglass ones are fake 🤣

[@martinharris5017]

I love this creative problem solving. Someone will glance at the finished result and go "Nice hood pins" without a clue about the work that went into putting them there!

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Awesome job! This should be required viewing for anyone who has ever questioned why body repair/custom work on old cars is so tedious...one small project always turns into fixing 10 other problems.

[@zrxdoug]

Beautiful. Love the fact that you share the WHOLE story, warts and all..somewhere, you just saved some guy a boatload of grief by pointing out the need to check panel alignment first..and you showed another bunch of people the right way to struggle out of the swamp of poorly aligned parts..and all with no drama. I am your humble disciple, master..

[@potkas7]

A teacher once told me, "Only those who have the patience to learn to do the simple things perfectly, ever acquire the skill to the difficult things easily." I remember those worlds each time I watch one of Fitzee's videos of him fabricating a part from scratch.

[@fordcortina3730]

Tony, thank you for the great video. I don’t normally watch videos about items I am never going to fit to my cars, like hood/bonnet pins, but I did this one and I ended up with a solution to the refitting and alignment of the 4 doors to my Mk2 Ford Cortina. It is well worth watching all of your videos, regardless of subject, because you never know what gems of information will be revealed. As always, the tips were good!

[@cudaruss7825]

Absolutely stunning!! You have turned a $25 Hood into a work of art that would probably go for over $2,000. I can't thank you enough for the tips and tricks you've taught me as I work on my 1970 Cuda. Keep up the good work!!

[@collinreisdorf]

And it only took $8,000 of work! This is why project cars are a passion and not a business for me. Amazing work.

[@peterrivney552]

You could have a fiberglass hood for around $3,500. This hood here is worth. Around $8,000. In work and time... If you want custom work you pay the price....

[@danielbuckner2167]

@@peterrivney552 ...or learn to do it well yourself.👍

[@jimwhalen6769]

Tony! As soon as you started drilling, my first thought was “I hope that hood is aligned correctly! Well I guess you figured it out just in time! Awesome job and thanks for the information to align the parts!

[@AMLagonda]

Its what I was thinking the whole time :o

[@klmorris1576]

your patience amd ingenuity are incredible. You never cease to amaze me with the knowledge of body work

[@minnesotatomcat]

Love the video Fitz, I really admire how you show it when things don’t work out the first time and things have to be changed and adjusted and don’t just edit it so it looks like you do everything perfect first time. A lot of people don’t understand the time it actually takes to do things the right way, you gotta love it 👍

[@dennyheitzer9457]

This is the best video you've ever done, in my opinion. it show your skill as well as your incite when you find a problem and form a solution that will protect the functional integrity of the the piece. This is why so many people watch and learn from you. Thank you so much for doing these videos.

[@jorgefernandez-mv8hu]

That was really nice. Thanks for the lesson in fender alignment. It can only come from someone like yourself with the field experience and the ability to explain it. Those hood pins are phenomenal. The factory could not have made them any better. Good Luck to you.

[@terrystover7365]

I've been watching you for some time now and never get tired of it and always see something new to store away in memory. You are the very best fabricator I've ever seen.

[@fonhollohan2908]

Years ago when Bondo first came out everyone thought it was the cure for every thing and they abused it like everything else. I've seen some horrendous jobs done with Bondo. I once saw an old Italian guy fix a B pillar with a two by two and reshape it, and used Bondo to fill gaps. My jaw was just about sitting on the floor as I watched this unfold before my eyes. I was in my early twenties. I'll never forgotten it through out my whole life how could I. LOL

[@fitzeesfabrications]

I seen some wild stuff. Hell shame to say it but I did some myself. Lol

[@ronwalsh]

I was thinking that those style pins would not work with that car, but they look amazing. With the scoops the car really changes its attitude.

[@gatekeeper65]

It doesn't matter how many of your excellent videos I watch, (all of them by the way), I still learn something from almost every one of them. Thanks for sharing so much valuable information with us. Take care and have a great day.

[@johnskingcabbie2482]

I swear, every time I watch one of your videos, I learn something! Thanks Fitz!

[@anvilhammer4144]

How to avoid a Royal Nightmare in the calm Fitzee manner. Best tips and tricks.

[@cuzcraven6847]

Nice job. And it’s nice to see someone who just doesn’t degrade the last guy not knowing the whole story. I have come across stuff like this my whole life and just try to do what I can to fix it.

[@dennishernden2264]

She's your family style 442 rig, roll 4 deep, 4 drink holders and 2 inches of bondo from hot rod shopping carts. Masterful recovery there Fitzee.

[@keithd8143]

Tony, you put out some amazing videos that are both entertaining and educational. you have a knack for taking seemingly hard jobs and breaking them down and using the kiss theory (keep it simple smart guy) LOL. When you realized that the hood was out of alignment and you found all the bondo in the door all i could think was at that point i would have been stumped, but you explained everything superbly and showed how to go about making it right. Amazing work!!

[@edmondpower5722]

Some times when you think you're flying you're only fluttering!! It's a fair sick feeling when you find out that you have to redo someone else's work in order to make your own repairs correct, but well done in the end, those hood pins look fabulous.

[@thistlelee]

Great job, and video Tony. I must admit that I fell into the trap leaving my '68 Chevelle hood latch in place, while lining up the hood and fenders. Now I know why it was a hard job: didn't realize that latching it forced it off to one side.......learned that tip too late. Oh Well.

[@BrucePierson]

That was really annoying, encountering that "someone's been here before" issue (as vehcor would say) with the door and fender being messed up so badly. A lot of extra work to get everything right after you started the hood pin installation. It was good that you showed the issue and how you went about fixing your initial placement of the hood pin. A lot of people would not have shown that, as it just goes to show that you can easily miss something like that when you assume that previous repairs were done correctly when they weren't. Always interesting seeing how you go about doing things, step by step. Looking forward to your next video, whatever you might be working on. All the best from Queensland Australia.

[@Jim_M_75]

It's often the way when you work on old stuff, if the last person in done a decent job of masking the damage you can end up chasing your own tail.

[@rickyouthouse9583]

The hood and lock pin pockets look amazing i have wanted to do that for years i had had many fiberglass aftermarket hoods over the past 50 years some were good and some not so good but again your rendition is amazing i would love to have one on my 71 442 convertible thank you for your awesome talent

[@moorefab8192]

I always think of shotgun shells when I reference gauges. Smaller the number, the bigger the shell or thicker the metal. Great stuff, thanks for all the videos.

[@darrentaff8374]

Outstanding . Your knowledge is worth more than big business will ever get near . Much appreciated

[@jimmyh7718]

Just another awesome video. You always show us how to over come hurdles and solve them in a simple way. Keep them coming. Stay healthy and safe.

[@Jim_M_75]

You still impress me with your finesse grinding Tony, I have over 25 years in the trade but your grinding / finishing is different level. Thanks for the content as always, lovely job.

[@matthewgridley3509]

i been following ya a while now mate, Im from new Zealand. thanks for the show, iv actually taken a lot of what you have said and shown, has given me the courage to try this with no prior experiences welding etc. so i have put this into attempts of making things from sheet metal, i made a new interior of my little fridge, fixed heaps on my 98 vr4 Legnum Twin Turbo 2.5 L / Mitsubishi. I got rear ended BAD, I replaced the whole left rear quarter to the rear wheel and chassis rail to the back seat , boot floor and obviously the boot hatch to. I then converted it to manual wielded the center diff and pulled the front shafts and pugged the holes, its now RWD not AWD, . I have had this car more then 10 years and other then a 68 dodge charge this is my most favorite car, Thank you dude.

[@deanm4138]

Another awesome video Tony, those hood scoops and hood pins are very cool and going to be an amazing focal point of that car. Thanks for the awesome content always look forward to watching your videos

[@michaelvandenhoy1021]

Great work of explaining everything that you did. Another great teaching video using simple tools. You are an amazing teacher.

[@rickbarger7921]

Custom making that hood it's probably about a $3000 job I would imagine I wish I was 1/10 as smart as you are on body work and I've been doing it for 40 years

[@johnbarker5009]

I love how much you can accomplish with a little thought and relatively basic tools.

[@labontottingham3051]

Tony this was another excellent learning vieo for me, thank you sir. and showing the work on realigning every thing from the old work was fascinating.

[@richardholland7070]

Thanks Tony, what a great tip to remove the latches to line up the gaps. Much appreciated. Love the videos , I hope your cat is staying warm.

[@Manandmachine772]

Tony, That was quite a show of your metal working skills. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@oldcarnut3953]

I look forward to every video you put out Tony. I've picked up so many tips an tricks since watching your channel. Keep up the great content brother. 👍👍👍

[@mjm7187]

Best ever tips and details Tony! Always an enjoyable visit.

[@peterjarvis1990]

Monumental job, always happens working on old gear, these are the things that keep us sharp, lol. Full recovery though, beautiful job Fitz. It's all about detail

[@buildingusa9604]

Fitzzy you definitely are the metal Whisperrrrrr God bless you 🙏 my friend

[@craighansen7594]

I really have to complement you on those all steel scoops, they look great!

[@jasonhumphry5836]

I've been wanting to get this done on a fiber glass W-30 ram air hood I have for my 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham I need to get a hood seal kit for the air cleaner as well awesome video peace and much respect to you Jason 👍 painting my front wheel wells red as well

[@johnwesner3935]

Hey Tony, you help me every episode with my 64 F100. The only body supports not completely rusted away where the rear cab mounts. Over the winter I've rebuilt the box cross member supports and am now getting the body lines to match up front to back. I can't get the hood to drop at the firewall. It wants to sit high and it's bugging the crap out of me. After watching you I think I have to lowery rad support which will allow the hinges to travel just a bit farther and put the apron, just below the grill, into better alignment with the bumper. Great tip with the latches when aligning doors and hood. Thank God I only have two doors!:) Sometime I'll tell you how I used exhaust pipe to rebuild my tailgate!:) Thanks!!

[@algonzalez8798]

Lots of work with excellent results. Love the way you solved that alignment problem!

[@golffit3066]

What seems like a simple little job ends up in an epic adventure. All part of the fun

[@b.s.adventures9421]

Great job. It’s fun to watch you work your magic. A true journeyman.

[@builditinyourgarage7826]

Great tip on using the smaller grinding wheels to cut whatever hole size you need!

[@dayslife]

i'm so amazed, fitzee's can fit 5 cars in a double car garage and still have room to work on them .. 👍😎👍

[@crazyoilfieldmechanic3195]

Best advice I've ever got on aligning panels and doors. I think the body shop guys I've always known didn't explain the best way to do it so I would get frustrated and bring the car to them.

[@craighansen7594]

I've gone round and round with those 442 hood latches! Even with everything in the front clip lined up really nice, those mounts are frequently off.

[@mongomay1]

Thanks Fitzee for sharing the Vista project and your laboratory.

[@herbiederby3394]

Fitzee Hell of job aligning that front-end almost had a very big set back .....hood is looking awesome.....🙂👍🙏

[@karlscribner7436]

Thanks again for another lesson. Fender and panel alignment info was terrific.

[@danielbuckner2167]

Solid advice Fitzee. Always start at the 1/4 panel and the only thing i would ad is if doing a restoration or just a restomod replace the door hinge pin bushings before mounting those doors.

[@kenswitzer4133]

Tony, you have never steered me wrong. I have used your tips a lot over the last 2 years. I do appreciate you and your videos.

[@laynelommen9460]

Nice work. I'm glad I stuck around.

[@greenriver520]

Beautiful work. Watching your series from Australia. Thank you for sharing.

[@terrencebuller7676]

Nice job Fitzee, really enjoy your program, keep up the great work. Thanks for sharing. Take care my friend 👍

[@mikedimaio1237]

Another excellent video with great tips. I was contemplating doing this exact modification on my 70 Chrysler 300 to make it look like a Hurst hood, definitely doing it now and you can bet I will make sure the hood is aligned right first, LOL.

[@edrosa5079]

This is one cool addition Fitzee Luv It You are a True Master of Your Craft

[@darico8437]

Awesome job again Tony. I can't stop watching your videos. Keep up the great work.

[@chuckkellogg2404]

I’d add some drain holes on the bottom of the recesses. Another awesome fabrication!!! 👍

[@royestala6944]

Excellent work and great advice! Thank you again Tony!!

[@unclesheavy769]

very nicely done, craftsman. you do very nice work. I've watched a lot of videos already. and it remains instructive to watch. I've done quite a bit of welding on my Camaro myself, and on the Celica's in the past, and I see you use the same techniques as me, with standard tools. Keep it up! greetings Ches from the Netherlands.

[@per434]

That explanation to start with the back door first and then continue forward was very good, to get the right fit for the other parts.So was the change you had to make on the locks for the hood. I think you work exactly and well. It was a great video.

[@martysheets6882]

The Master of Metal, you play it like sweet Violin music. I'm a big fan.

[@droppedpasta]

My buddies and I have joked about filler-over-duck-tape repairs, but holy cow. Guy must’ve owned stock in Bondo Corp.

[@jeremyhanna3852]

I stripped a 50 buick had a dent in the front fender above the wheel had 1.5" of bondo in it looked fine till I stripped it

[@1stBlade]

Great tips like always Sir, even that small ones (with cooling during grinding for example).

[@davebrittain9216]

One of those snowball jobs. One thing led to another but in the end it looks great.

[@maddpeanut6313]

Another job brilliantly completed. My compliments.

[@Steve-lh6oi]

Excellent ... wrt the guidance, the workmanship done on the car, and on the production value of the video. Top-notch all around !

[@larrymills3648]

Metal art with patience n skill, well done!

[@matspiteri2552]

Another great video. Thank you. I always look out for Peanut at the end of your videos and was sad not see him/her.h

[@fitzeesfabrications]

She around. Just cold here and Winters she stays inside the house most of the time

[@briansutton7764]

You are accomplished at your craft when you realize that there are no problems, only solutions. If we only knew then what we know now.

[@edwinjstephens4958]

Hello there cowboy here awsome job glad you cought that fender hood and so on alignments it could of been worse imagine if you got the pins completely finished then discovered it oh my anyway remember always be safe heathy and happy God Bless😒

[@ericsiegfried9331]

Great work as usual! Just amazed you haven't put that compressor outside in a shed so you don't have to listen to it all day!

[@fitzeesfabrications]

That change is coming soon

[@phillipyannone3195]

Nicely done Fitzee . Extra work but that goes with the territory’. Good save.

[@Johntasticful]

Wow! What great talent. You Sir, are amazing!

[@dayslife]

what a great content and information Tony, hopefully you won't make us wait to long for the next one ...👍

[@brianmaynard7320]

Fantastic video, Fitzee!! Great tips and great visuals on EXACTLY what you are doing and why. I've got some ideas about my 80 Bronco that have germinated with your help and videos.. Thanks again, Fitzee!!

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Was für eine hervorragende Arbeit . Sehr schwierig und zeitaufwendig Ich hoffe wenn das Auto fertig ist mit der Lackierung und allem gibt es noch einmal ein vorher nachher Bild Viele Grüsse alles Gute Frank Galetzka

[@HogshooterHotrods]

I hate it when things go like that, you can never assume that the guy before did any part of the job right! But as usual Fitzee just keeps digging on and takes it in stride, at least thats what I saw. Constant tech tips all the way through the video, great job!!

[@luisbatista1103]

Great video - you my friend are a master at your craft 👍👍👍

[@chrismartin5145]

Wicked job bud! I guess this was originally a light green Vista Cruiser as per color under dark green ,my grandfather had one in same color and if i remember the glass panels in the roof section where also a green tint .I remember it had the 3rd row seat which i think faced rearward when you were seated.Keep it up !

[@rayrayadkins6178]

I'm glad you showing detail how you do things and explain and I enjoy watching you weld stuff up I kind of wish I lived up around close to you and maybe you could show me hands on how to do stuff that's how I learned how to do stuff like you do now I enjoy and I hope you have a good one and I will I'm waiting to see the outcome of that car

[@leonardgilbreath9004]

Tony how you make these is awesome you also answered a problem I've got with the drivers side door with the gap I did it reverse of what you said door then finder and your the first one to say how to gap and set up the way to fit that explains way my gap is off looking forward to the next video thumbs up 👍.

[@NickFortier]

My 78 malibu fenders from canadian tire had some ugly gaps, didnt fit the shape of the door at all! Thankfully, I'm a Fitzee subscriber, and didnt think twice about ascribing the fender to the door when shimmied, cut and butt! Voila! Thanks again:)

[@NickFortier]

Also just got done installing new rear frame rails, and then, why not, box in the c channel on the frame.

[@briancall3733]

Love the hood pins. I think I might make some for my S10 when I build it

[@tobygathergood4990]

I have a set of hydraulic knockout punches that would work well for that, with the exception of that inner structure being in the way. Steel gauge works in the same way that wire gauge does. I hear that about "small easy projects> You say to yourself, "Ah yes, this will only take 30 minutes"...three days later you're still fighting with it. Quite often because of previous damage you didn't know about. I had the very same issues with hood alignment on my '92 F250. Didn't matter what I did, something was always "out" somewhere! What I found id the the rubber cab mounts on the driver's side were perished and had sunk. An entirely new set of polyurethane cab mounts helped big time. I rebuilt a '69 Mustang fastback years ago that had been in right front side collision. Whoever had "repaired" it had just filled the dents with filler, then painted it. There was one patch that was about 8" x 5" x 2" thick with filler. When I broke the chunk open, the filler still smelled fresh on the inside. The dent itself was no big deal to take out and finish with no filler at all. Some people drive me nuts!

[@mikecline9204]

Nice work a lot nicer than the pin style 👍

[@mikeduquesne3630]

Fitz awesome work as usual loved the alignment tips👍

[@PM-lk9ph]

Always a good show. My panel alignment has left a bit to be desired in the past...

[@jarlegregersen7496]

Its so cool ! Thanks for showing us the prosess.

[@robertbisson9161]

You are the best on youtube, Proudly Canadian knoleddge !

[@vincenzopaterno2292]

Fitzei you are legend love your shows unbelievable buddy

[@waynethomas899]

Hi Fitzee wayne from rural Victoria Australia just would like to thank you for your tips on early GM body panel aligning ( vista cruiser) I have a 63 buick electra with the front clip off and found the information very helpful I've watched all your videos with great interest keep up the good work thanks again regards wayne

[@robbigemon1868]

Wow great job as usual. Always look forward to ur videos thanks

[@oacumulador]

Another amazing job with simple tools