Ideas for locking hood latch
 

Has anyone come up with a simple way to lock the hood, or are there parts that I can buy and install?

I have a 1973 Cheyenne k10

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

locking hood pins

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

I'm pretty sure GM started putting the locking hood latches in around 80-81. It shouldn't be too difficult or expensive to tear the latch/cable out of a junkyard truck, and install into yours. I can't recall if 1980 models had the locking hood, hopefully someone can confirm. This would be your best bet as 1980 is similar to your 73.

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

Right on! I'll look into that. Thank you.

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

I'd kinda like to do that as well. I wonder what it takes to make it work on an older truck.

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

Are those external or internal?

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

One of my cars (or my Suburban) came with a universal hood latch with a cable that went inside the vehicle. Somebody must still make one.

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

Right on, did more research and I've seen a few cable release ones.

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

My 1980 SWB does NOT...

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

Check places like SPEEDWAY.com to see what the hot rod guys use!

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

I have a late 1980 LWB parts truck sitting in the bush. The early 1980 had round headlights, and late 1980 had square headlights. If I get a chance, will check it out later today. The cable goes through the header panel, than sits on the drivers side fender well. It goes through a hole in the firewall, and attaches to a small release lever.

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

I am pretty sure the inside hood release latches came out as early as 1977. It was an option so not all trucks had them. If you want to install the factory set up you need the piece the hood latch mounts to that runs the width of the core support, the hood latch(pretty sure the piece that mounts to the hood too) and the cable.

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

I have a 78 Suburban with a inside hood latch.

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

I've had some with and without hood latch inside cab before '80. I had a truck that someone just removed the handle(I think it was a 73) and put alinkage rod and handle from an early caddy or something, and was behind the front licence plate. Not locking but kind of hidden. I think it had a tube grille that your fingers couldn't fit to pop it.

I'm pretty sure the 80 trucks all had round. Just the Silverado and higher trim levels got the squares.

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

will do. thanks!

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

Converted my 80 to an interior hood latch release. I sourced the parts from a 78.

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

Had an 80 Formula Firebird in college. Outside hood release only, no option for inside handle. The previous owner installed an aftermarket one, called a "chapman lock" back then. Here is one I found on a search.
http://www.zlokhoodlock.com/shop-z-l...FdgcgQodwXID_g
Looks exactly like the one on the Formula. Worked great. It also kills the starter which helps keep it from being stolen. It was great security in Elizabeth, NJ but may be more than you're looking for.

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

1774btcrew Is correct. The internal release was optional in 1977. To add this to an earlier truck, you will need a complete internal release set up including the latch hook that bolts to the hood, the strike plate and core support filler panel, as well as the center brace that goes behind the grill. Find a donor truck and get everything you can.

Re: Ideas for locking hood latch
 

That is correct, both my 77 and my 79 have factory inside hood release.