55.2-59 Hood latch

[washington blue]

I'm wondering on my 55 hood is there more to this latch? There does not seem to be any wear on it and it has 2 holes that could be bolt holes. It's been apart a long time.

[washington blue]

I have been told that this is a hardened piece of metal so it will not show wear and that is all there is to it.

[dsraven]

maybe a bolt on stainless wear plate could be used to keep it from getting scratched up?

[unclebrad]

Mine looks the same but I remember when I was a kid, my buddy's dad had one of these trucks and I am sure there was a spring attached there somehow. Since mine works fine, I haven't really looked into it.

I am right about the spring though. Here is a page from the Assembly manual.

[washington blue]

I have that same assembly manual. What I found is that spring is for the 5000 models as shown in your picture. Flip the page over 1 and there is no spring pictured for the 3000 models. this is what I was wondering about, seems most newer trucks have springs so I assumed I'd have one too.

[unclebrad]

Thanks for pointing that out.

Funny that I can still see that spring on my buddy's dsd's truck though.

Memory can be tricky.

[dsraven]

If your hood pops open well, leave it with no spring. If you gotta try to slide your fingers under to lift the hood after the latch is released, put a spring in there.
I'm Gonna put a spring on mine cuz I am not a fan of sliding my fat old fingers into the hood crack.