Had to destroy the rods connecting the hood locks to bellcrank to get into the engine compartment (dead battery) because the new hood release cable I installed "popped" out of its bracket! Now I have to try to clean up my mess and wonder if anyone knows how to fabricate those rods that connect and release both hood locks??

 

Just take that stuff off and put on 2 hood pins like race cars use to secure the front of the hood.

They will hold and release every time. Sporty, too.

 

Maybe visit your local junkyard and obtain the parts you need to correct.

 

^ Best two options. Fabricating something would take more time and effort than it would be worth. In your situation, I'd probably go with the hood pins but either choice is good advice.

 

Two hood pins ...... versus all that linkage?

Hmmmm ..... I'll take the two hood pins for the win, Alex!

 

The only thing I'd be concerned about with hood pins is the ease of which others can get under your hood. I'd hate to end up missing my battery because some jackass needed one and didn't want to pay.

 

They would just bust your window and pull the hood release anyway.

Then you would be out your glass plus the battery.

 

Truth

They make locking hood-pins as well, which would be even harder to get into (compared to smashing the window and pulling the hood release).


Also, in general, you can just smash a screwdriver into the XJ door lock and it will turn without any real hassle. Makes it real easy to break into

 

I think most thieves smash out your windows to access much better goods than the crap that's under the hood. But I suppose that there may be some crazed hooligans out there who would do that to snag a 4 year old battery or some choice spark plug wires.

 

It's 3:30 in the morning .... you go out to your car and it won't crank because the battery is dead.

Do what my neighbor did ....... open the hood of my vehicle and take my battery.

Not all batteries are " 4 year old " !

 

He must like you if he didn't smash out your window.