[Sugarmaker]

Larry,
Yes I thought of the door protector strip[ that would work good! Thanks for the idea I might do that.
Clay yes these need a hood forward stop designed that can be added to a hood and not detract from the appearance. The bungee would work. Some tractors have a small cable fastened to the tractor and hood, to limit the motion.
Update on the stack:
After the bee meeting I stopped at the muffler guy to give him some dimensions. He gave me some ideas and suggestions but still needed two weeks to build something. He did not have time to weld it up. He did saw the pieces and expand the one short piece to fit over the half coupling. I got a stainless clamp also. So I bought the parts, brought them home and began gobbing on some stainless weld. Its 2 inch stainless tuning. The bend portion is a cast piece and was a little pricy. But I like the smooth look much better than the ripples from a standard bending machine on just tubing. It was also a much tighter bend which I felt was desirable for a good clean look. I have as much in this as a new muffler! Hope it will work!

I laid out the parts so you could get a idea of the concept prior to welding. The big flat piece I had from a bulk tank. That may be the support off the top of the head? Then I welded it up with the MIG smoothed out the welds, polished a little and put in place for you guys to see.
I do have some concerns vertical portion is not far from the hood. Those new decals look like they could be in danger
I could put in a 45 degree, 1 inch elbow, and come off more towards the air cleaner?
I still have to fab a support plate coming off the head studs and back under the gas tank.
Also some stacks have a 45 degree cut on them what do you think!
The stack is about 18 inchs of vertical straight after the bend. Should put it right about ear height I could shorten it a little?
All ideas are welcome.
I'm pooped.
Regards,
Chris