Kymasabe

First of all, if this belongs in MODIFIED XJ, please move it.

Next, I've seen a few posts recently of hood that won't open, or hood latches that are stuck and was wondering, why aren't more XJ owners removing the latches and installing hood pins instead. I had a Dakota that had a hood release cable break and hood pins worked great on that old truck. With the XJ's dual latches, I'd think the hood pin idea would be even more appealing. Has anyone successfully installed hood pins? Difficulty? Pics ?

Cummins93

Cobramarty did it. No clue what his thoughts on them are.

dave1123

Question. How would you get the hood open without the springs to be able to get you fingers under it to lift it? Bolt on a hood ornament grab handle? Or maybe leave the springs installed.

Kymasabe

On previous vehicles, I left the center/secondary latch with the spring in place. Not sure how it'd work on an XJ.

Steve5280

I recently installed Hood Pins from Autofab. Not too difficult but I had to cut out some of the hood underneath. No latches, no cables, nothing. Just the pins holding the hood down nice and tight.


Autofab w/leash

I still need to clean this up a bit.

Used existing hood latch hardware hole. I had to drill a new hole on the drivers side.

jhc7399

I did it as well instead of paying for all new parts after my hood cable broke from the latch under the hood being seized.

I Bought cheap ones and regret it, they are rusting already. I will probably replace them with something better next summer.

I left the lever in the center and bolted in the old springs around the pin and it works great.

Maybe an hour or two install, you have to remove the grill, headlight buckets and trim, not a big deal really.

craigjacob1

They are fine for racing, but 95% of the time they are just installed for looks.
I would rather restore a set of factory latches. Personal preference I guess.

Shane Howeth

https://store.bleepinjeep.com/produc...quick-release/

Bleeping Jeep has some really nice ones i just ordered and i'm getting ready to install.
if you want to see them in action he has them on his Comancheap Project