Hood latch replacement recommendations?

[TJ Starting]

My hood latches have some serious problems. Going down the highway, a couple of times I thought I must have forgot to latch it. I have seen the turnbuckle style, I'm ok with those except for the fact that i dont have a lot of other visible aftermarket parts, so they might look a little bit out of place. I was wondering if there is any latches on the market that are factory style. Pics would be appreciated of your turnbuckle or factory style. Thanks

 

[TJ_2000]

OEM a replacement from Day Star will fix your issue.

But here’s what I have. Drake Offroad. A bit pricy but they are worth it and look damn good. The locking feature is nice as well.

 

[Wrangler69]

I got some from crown automotive couple months ago looks same as factory and cheap


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[oldjeepman]

Well I just ordered the Drake latches, non-locking ones. I just returned from an 3k mile trip from Nebr. to Farmington NM. To Montrose CO. to Moab UT. And Home. I went thru 3 hood latches, Have never lost one in 20yrs of driving TJs.The first 2 where daystar replacements a yr old, two lane highway and semis, and one replacement dorman which ripped thru the top itself. Bought 2 replacements in case to get home and kept the bailing wire handy..And I didn't want to spend the $$ on the drakes but I don't want to lose my hood or worse..

 

[Shano1707]

Hi,
Just thought I'd throw up some pics of my new internal hood release latch in my TJ that I put together over the last couple of days and with only minor mods to any panels and still looks all original on the outside..
AUD $.. Latch $40, Hood release cable and clips etc $40 and a some self fabricated brackets. Works a treat

 

[dbbd1]

Nice job Shano!

 

[WDE]

I have the Kentrol stainless (black powder coat) hood latches. I like them because they look fairly OEM but are metal instead of plastic. No issues with them over the past few years.

http://www.kentrolinc.com/products/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=235&idcategory=9

 

[Jerry Bransford]

X2 for going back to OEM with the Daystar replacement for the too stretchy rubber part.

 

[Fonz54]

I have the same

I have the Kentrol stainless (black powder coat) hood latches. I like them because them look fairly OEM but are metal instead of plastic. No issues with them over the past few years.

http://www.kentrolinc.com/products/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=235&idcategory=9
View attachment 153766

I have the Kentrol as well. My kid broke one of the OEM latches when “ helping” to latch the hood. They are well made.

 

[BeavisTJ]

Hi,
Just thought I'd throw up some pics of my new internal hood release latch in my TJ that I put together over the last couple of days and with only minor mods to any panels and still looks all original on the outside..
AUD $.. Latch $40, Hood release cable and clips etc $40 and a some self fabricated brackets. Works a treat
View attachment 153742View attachment 153743View attachment 153744

Nice finish on the little project.

 

[Shano1707]

Nice job Shano!

 

[Shano1707]

Nice finish on the little project.

 

[AutoCrat]

I have the Kentrol stainless (black powder coat) hood latches. I like them because they look fairly OEM but are metal instead of plastic. No issues with them over the past few years.

[URL][URL][URL]http://www.kentrolinc.com/products/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=235&idcategory=9[/URL][/URL][/URL]

View attachment 153766

Looking nice, does the surface areas on these latches and catches are exact proportional to the OEM or any smaller? How they are holding up after all these years? @Fonz54

 

[MikekiM]

Looking nice, does the surface areas on these latches and catches are exact proportional to the OEM or any smaller? How they are holding up after all these years? @Fonz54

That post is four years old and the OP hasn't been around since Feb.

FWIW, I use the Drakes.. Rock solid. Pricey. Really cool looking.

I made a set of knock-off Drake style for one of my JKs. Parts were from McMaster. A fraction of the cost of the Drake, same functionality.

If all else fails you can do the zip-tie mod on your stockers. That works equally awesome and costs pennies.

 

[AutoCrat]

That post is four years old and the OP hasn't been around since Feb.

FWIW, I use the Drakes.. Rock solid. Pricey. Really cool looking.

I made a set of knock-off Drake style for one of my JKs. Parts were from McMaster. A fraction of the cost of the Drake, same functionality.
View attachment 558888

If all else fails you can do the zip-tie mod on your stockers. That works equally awesome and costs pennies.

Looks great. It seems you used the stock brackets with McMaster parts. So cool.

 

[MikekiM]

Looks great. It seems you used the stock brackets with McMaster parts. So cool.

You are correct. I have the parts list if you (or anyone) are interested.

 

[Landon427]

You are correct. I have the parts list if you (or anyone) are interested.

I'd be interested...

 

[AutoCrat]

You are correct. I have the parts list if you (or anyone) are interested.

I am interested in the parts list. So the same parts would works on TJ too? I believe the one you built in the picture is for JK.

 

[MikekiM]

I'd be interested...

I am interested in the parts list. So the same parts would works on TJ too? I believe the one you built in the picture is for JK.

Can't see why not. As I recall, I cut down the length of the rod ends because they were too long for the JK, since the base is mounted higher up on the hood line. With the base mounted lower on the fender of our TJs, I suspect it would be the right length as is. Because I I cut them, I never installed a lock nut on the rod ends. Never needed them.

 

[AutoCrat]

Can't see why not. As I recall, I cut down the length of the rod ends because they were too long for the JK, since the base is mounted higher up on the hood line. With the base mounted lower on the fender of our TJs, I suspect it would be the right length as is. Because I I cut them, I never installed a lock nut on the rod ends. Never needed them.

View attachment 559462

Thank, cheers.