Trail Break: Better solutions for factory hood straps?

[ac_]

My Wife and i went wheelin' down at Sycamore Creek, and played around at Butcher Jones. It is starting to become a habit because it is so close, and a fun day trip. Plus I think that is about as much as she can take, but we had a trail break on Saturday.

I know this is horrible to happen on a trail lol, but can anybody suggest a better solution than the stock hood straps?

 

[TWiG01]

Of all the breaks to have, that’s certainly one of the better ones. There are numerous options out there for hood latches. It really comes down to how much you want to spend on a hood latch.

 

[ac_]

Of all the breaks to have, that’s certainly one of the better ones. There are numerous options out there for hood latches. It really comes down to how much you want to spend on a hood latch.

Well, I would like one that doesn't do that! haha

 

[Rick Flair]

Stick with a good stock one. They work.

 

[JMT]

I liked the Kentrol. Never used them, but almost bought a set

https://www.quadratec.com/products/13104_10X_PG.htm

 

[Grey_Machine7.3]

You could always just run zipties.

 

[ac_]

I liked the Kentrol. Never used them, but almost bought a set

https://www.quadratec.com/products/13104_10X_PG.htm

Those look better than the ones I have been looking at so far.

 

[Mike_H]

Don't do the Daystar replacement straps. I bought a set and they are so tight, they bent, and eventually broke, the plastic latch. Bought a used factory set from eBay or Davey's Jeep or something and haven't looked back.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I replaced mine with Daystar's 3-4 years ago and really like them. They're tighter but I like how they stop hood flutter on the highway.

 

[scottgraham]

I bought some (not cheap) crap (billet) ones from ebay that I had to hone out (to make them tight) and I also had to glue foam to them to not scratch the hood...They look really nice, but if you're not up to modding a hood latch...don't waste your time.

 

[L J]

Daystar for less than $25. I've had them on for more than six months since the hood was highlined. If your OEM brackets are in good condition there is no way the Daystar poly will break them under normal usage.

https://www.daystarweb.com/product/hood-latch-jeep-wrangler-tj-1997-2006

 

[Fitzpatrick]

I bought these work great no more good fluttering

 

[Flivver250]

Did you tow it home or flatbed it? I had to replace mine and just went with some OEM type cheap ones.

 

[oldjeepman]

I have the ones from Drake. I don't really like the look of them, but they work fine. And this is after losing both Daystar replacements within 2hrs of each other. Not a fun sight on a hi way..

 

[ac_]

Did you tow it home or flatbed it? I had to replace mine and just went with some OEM type cheap ones.

I was able to limp it home under it's own power. Thanks, you seem to be the only one concerned about me and my Jeeps well being! We are doing well! thanks for asking.

 

[xxdabroxx]

Did you tow it home or flatbed it? I had to replace mine and just went with some OEM type cheap ones.

Had to tow it backwards so the hood didn't fly off. LOL

 

[Mike_H]

Daystar for less than $25. I've had them on for more than six months since the hood was highlined. If your OEM brackets are in good condition there is no way the Daystar poly will break them under normal usage.

https://www.daystarweb.com/product/hood-latch-jeep-wrangler-tj-1997-2006

You guys in SoCal need to stop grouping everyone in with you and speaking in absolutes. Dunno if you noticed when you installed the straps that they need to be installed above a certain temperature? Yeah, well when its cold, those things shrink. My latches were in good shape. After about two years, one of my tabs broke off. The daystar part of the linkage gets so tight that it folded one of the little legs.

@ac_ is in Arizona so they might work out for him, but just because two guys in SoCal don't have problems doesn't mean its a perfect product.

 

[pagrey]

If you haven't decided on a latch $10 will give you some time to think about it.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=142251256133

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I rented a Gladiator for a work trip last week and it's hood latches functioned based on leverage rather than the stretchiness of rubber, so I would expect them to last and be temperature independent. I wish I'd taken a photo, but it would be pretty slick if somebody created a similar design to fit a TJ.

 

[pagrey]

They make several similar hard latchs for the TJ that don't have the rubber bands just like @Fitzpatrick posted.