So I took my 2000 xj out last night for its maiden voyage. I have completely rebuilt this thing head to toe. I wanted to see how my new stroker performed and just get out and put some miles on it. The first 5 miles were great. It drove well, it was a bit squirley but the alignment wasnt all that great. I got it out on a main road and got up to 40 mph or so, and the hood flew up. You have to be kidding me. I pulled it over, pulled it back down and re-latched it. Luckily i was close to the house, so I just went home. The hood is now closed and I can get it to realease but its been tweaked enough that it will not open because it is hitting the plastic cowl by the windshield. I am thinking I can get the hood bolts out of the hinges through the little amount I can get it open. Is there any chance of straightening this thing out at all so it will function somewhat normally? Its not creased or anything, I think it just flattened out some of the arch across it from the sudden slamming against the firewall. What do you think? Am I screwed?

just have a buddy hold the plastic down and lift the hood that worked on mine. or just open it and break the plastic and get new from the junkyard

Or take off the plastic and open it. Hoods problably SOL.

Mine did that also-- Once you get it open, use a BFH to hit it in the middle on the underside. You can put enough arch back in it to make it work. Mine is fine now.

That was my plan of attack. Try to salvage the cowl. I think I can glue it. Then pound the hood into submission. The paint and finish are coming off anyway. Was going to bedline it. Thanks for the info. Stupid jeep.