Since you've got a 2003 (so you know what that looks like) and the hood you're considering is from a 2000, what's the relevance of 2004 model year?

 

Yeah...No, They Already Totaled My First STR, Three Days After I Bought It. We're Not On Speaking Terms. And My Local Dealer Is (Get This) Clueless, They Think I Need To Get A New Hood Through Them, "It's Your Only Option". More Like They Think I'm Clueless.

 

Not Sure How That's Helpful.. But If The 2000 Hood Doesn't Fit, I Need Other Options. Some 2003 Hoods Won't Fit My 2003 Car Because Things Changed After VIN M45254. My VIN Is M76805, Which Leads Me To Believe I Need A Late 2003 To 2004 Hood. Hence The 2004.

 

Well, I still think it'll be 2005 or later that won't fit i.e. when they changed the cosmetics.

 

Ah- I thought you were strictly looking for pics of the 2000 MY hinges etc. to see if it would fit your 2003.

 

I'm not sure when the "2005" (USA) facelift was, might be N13089 (2004.5MY over here).
Or might be N14071 (when the 2.7D came in over here, 2004.75MY here).
Would be by our even later 2006MY at VIN N52048.
Mine's not a facelift i.e. not got the cosmetics and is before N13089 but after N0xxxx

 

The hood, hinges, latches/safety catch, weather stripping, insulation, windshield squirters, and bolts will be at my house tomorrow, all for $280 c.o.d! I'll let you guys know how it fits.

 

Well, The Hood And Other Parts Showed Up Yesterday. It's In Perfect Condition, Was Repainted Less Than A Year Ago. It Bolted Right Up To My Hinges On The Car. Checked The Part# And The Hinges Are The Same. Everything Lines Up, Latches, Safety Catch, Body Lines, Everything. But, There Is A Problem With Closing The Hood. On '03 Cars After M45254 They Have The Air Box Inlet On Top Of The Radiator Support. The Earlier Hoods, Have A Piece Of Sheet Metal Spot Welded In Place Of Where The Inlet Would Fit. I'll Post Pics Later To Show You What Had To Be Done To Make It Fit. Maybe This Will Become A Sticky/FAQ, As No One Could Say Exactly What Was Different. I'm Off To Work.. Will Be Back Later Today With Pics And Process.

 

You could always fabricate an alternate air intake....

 

Sorry for the delay, work took longer than expected. But, I've got my mind set on posting pics tomorrow. Thanks for looking.

 

Here's what needs to be done to fit a m45254 VIN or lower hood on a m45255 VIN or higher '03-'04 car.

On the cars up to VIN m45254 there is a piece of stamped sheet metal spot welded to the hood. (See Pic Below)


On the cars after VIN M45254 there is an air box inlet on top of the radiator support. (See Pic Below)


The stamped sheet metal on the m45254 or lower hood needs to be removed, as it interferes with the air box inlet. (See Pic Below) To remove this I used a pair of pliers to loosen the medal then I used a hammer and chisel to pop the spot welds. You could use a drill, but be careful. You don't want to drill through the hood.



The hinges, latches, and body lines all line up perfectly. (See Pics Below)



You will need to you reuse your hood liner or get one for the post m45254 VIN hood. The weather stripping is attached to the piece of metal you will need to remove on the older style hoods, and is attached to the hood liner on the newer style hoods.

 

Great info and great pictures!!

This is a good thing to know and only a minor mod is needed to make it fit.
.
.
.

 

A Minor Mod, Yes. A Real PITA, ABSOLUTELY! It Would've Been Easier To Just Drill The Spot Welds.