A panel by any other name….
Often our customer service team receives calls and emails asking for part numbers for hood extension panels and cowl panels – but those are in fact the same piece. Having both a Dieter’s line of products and a Panelite line of products there is sometimes confusion over the terminology we use on our different line of products.
As we grow as a company, we are streamlining our products and adding more information to help the customers, the dealerships and ourselves offer the best products and as much description as possible on our websites.
LOWER HOOD PANELS
A lower hood panel, is designed to accentuate and cover the lower portion of the hood – directly behind the wheel well.
There are few different styles that are offered – from the Elite on our Peterbilt offerings to OEM replacements, or covers for the OE version.
For the Elite style, in order for the cab panels and hood extension panels/cowl panels to fit properly the Elite lower hood panel must be used.
Because of their location, lower hood panels are unable to have any lights added and are plain – although for some makes and models there are emblems etched or laser cutout.
HOOD EXTENSION PANELS/COWL PANELS
On our Dieter’s line of products, we have historically referred to the hood extension panel as a cowl panel. On the Panelite line of products, this panel was known as just the hood extension panel. We call out both on our websites – as we have found that customers use both terms on the regular and in an effort to make things easy to find and identify, we use both terms.
These hood extension panels/cowl panels are designed to fill the gap between the lower hood panels and the steps on most conventional trucks that do not have chassis fairings.
Cowl panels/hood extension panels are available blank – with no lights – or are available with lights to match cab and sleeper panels.
MAKES AND MODELS
Not all makes and models lend themselves to having lower hood panels or hood extension panels/cowl panels. Especially models that have chassis fairings. Connect with our customer service team to determine part numbers for your application!