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.

[LostMy65]

It appears this thread has been overlooked.

I'm starting to try and think of ideas to make my truck more secure.

Thanks for posting this.

[special-K]

Could someone give those pictures a little help? Probably why it was overlooked. I can't really make anything out enough for them to help.

[96blazr]

Or you could simply install two things; A battery Disconnect and a Ignition cut-off switch hidden in the Cab. That's what I use.

Then again I have a locked garage I keep my truck in, so if someone breaks in and takes the time to get it running while the alarm is going off, then more power to them.
Of course if I'm home....then it's me with my pals Smith & Wesson.

I guess the hood latch would be good for those who keep their truck outside. Jeezz, I just about throw up anytime I think about leaving mine outside.

[kevmic28]

Originally Posted by 96blazr

Or you could simply install two things; A battery Disconnect and a Ignition cut-off switch hidden in the Cab. That's what I use.

Those are good ideas to keep your truck from being stolen but the cable system shown here is a good way to keep your battery, carb or any other expensive parts found under the hood from being stolen.

[96blazr]

Originally Posted by kevmic28

Those are good ideas to keep your truck from being stolen but the cable system shown here is a good way to keep your battery, carb or any other expensive parts found under the hood from being stolen.

Like I said, it's a good idea for guys who keep their trucks outside.

[71sierragrande]

Good idea. I actually took my battery in the house when I went out of town...duh. I cant believe they made the latch on these accessible to the general public! Double duh.

[evilways]

Originally Posted by kevmic28

Those are good ideas to keep your truck from being stolen but the cable system shown here is a good way to keep your battery, carb or any other expensive parts found under the hood from being stolen.

I could not agree more, as I found out last year fishing. I went out on the boat for the night and came back, no big deal right? Well being the paranoid person that I am I check under the hood every time I get back to make sure half my motor isn’t gone. So I popped her open and found pieces of pop tarts all over my engine, real nice! So anything to make these trucks a little more secure is all good in my book.

By the way the next day I mounted a limit switch on the inside of my fender, it’s resting on the hood hinge and is wired to a car alarm siren that I had laying around, so that when the hood is lifted any more than about three inches the alarm goes off. I should be able to hear that baby screaming a mile or so away next time.

[sea chief]

I had this saved
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...t=hood+release

[71sierragrande]

Originally Posted by sea chief

I had this saved
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...t=hood+release

Slick setup!

[Kokomoooo]

Originally Posted by special-K

Could someone give those pictures a little help? Probably why it was overlooked. I can't really make anything out enough for them to help.

click on them!!!

[Hubscrub]

Originally Posted by 71sierragrande

Good idea. I actually took my battery in the house when I went out of town...duh. I cant believe they made the latch on these accessible to the general public! Double duh.

people were alot more honest in the older days.......

[bigguy69]

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by 96blazr

Like I said, it's a good idea for guys who keep their trucks outside.

It's a good idea for anyone who drives their truck and doesn't get the opportunity to be with it the whole time it is parked. Nice write up.

[bigsnookmaster]

I have a battery shutoff switch, and my truck stays in a locked shop. I have a buddy who has a 69 burnt to a crisp sitting outside his shop. It burnt because of a short. There are other advantages to having a shutoff switch also, it makes it nice to work on anything electrical and not having to disconnect the battery every time.

[etg]

Battery shutoff is goin on next. Plannin on a whole buncha relays.