So a little more progress.......
So, as you can see in the picture, the air intake takes up the space where the factory hood latch goes as well as the ability to install any hood latch in the middle. So after looking at different options, I decided to install stainless hood pins. But instead of the hood pins coming through the hood, I opted to install the pins on the hood and pin the hood through the grill opening.
I made some boxes out of 18 ga steel. I proceeded to drill 11/16" holes in the proper location and welded 1/2" cage nuts on the inside. This will give me some flexibility for adjustments. Once the mounts were welded on the hood I then screwed the pins on the hood. Made some minor pin adjustments, dropped the hood and viola. Still have my 3/32" gaps and pinned through the grill opening. Pleased with the outcome and work great! Need to clean up the welds and tig it. I should have just tacked it in place, but got carried away.