Simple Security

[etg]

Quick write-up of my hood latch lock. The idea is to require more than the stock hood plate being pulled up to open the hood, keeping prying eyes out. I saw this done on the forum, so I went about recreating it.

You will need:

A grinder with a cut wheel or a good dremel.
A remote cable, I got mine at autozone for 7 bucks.
A drill with a small metal bit.

1. First step is to remove the hood latch plate. 5 bolts should do it.

2. Next you drill a slot on the pull plate where it contacts the hook. The pull plate is on a pivot, and when it contacts the hook it pivots the hook out of the way of the hood. With this slot in there there is nothing pivoting the hook out of the way.



You can see the grind marks around the slot I made. The front of the truck is on the right, looking up from underneath.

3. Drill a hole in the hook through which you will feed your cable.



I kept my hole small and in the corner. There won't be too much stress so I don't think it will be a problem.

4. Route your cable being careful not to crimp or bend it too much, it makes it difficult to use. Also do not put too much tension on it, and make sure there is not too much slack.

Here you can see how I bent the wire to keep it attached to the hook. Didn't have a crimp handy so I just rigged it. I can finalize it later but it's stable so no biggie.



You can also see where the pull knob is routed under the bumper. Initially I had it come out of the bottom of the license plate, but I didn't like bending the plate to pull it all the way open so I moved it. Eventually I will get a couple of spring loaded hinges from a car with the fuel nozzle behind the plate, and do that to my license plate, drill a hole behind a bottom license plate hole, and route it that way, but for now this will do.



5. Remember not to bend your line too much.

Also remember that the point of this is to be a covert latch system, don't run your wire down in front of your radiator where anyone can follow it to the pull knob.

Don't drop your hood until you know it's working 100%, it's annoying to push the hook back if you close the hood.

For running the line I used stock holes in the core support, and attached a picture frame hanging triangle thingy. It has a tab you screw into, and a triangle that can swivel connected to it.

Routing into the cab is best, but I don't have lock on my doors yet so it was just a matter of streamlining t for now.

Hope it helps someone out. Go ahead and suggest changes, always good to keep the truck safer.