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Build Thread Aftermarket Hood Installation Issue (will Not Latch)

  • Thread starter Thread starter John C. Greiner
  • Start date Start date Sep 6, 2012
J

John C. Greiner

New Member
Sep 5, 2012
3
0
1
South Carolina
Sep 6, 2012
#1
  • Sep 6, 2012
  • #1
I have a 2003 Mustang GT Conv that I am putting on an aftermarket hood from Rock Auto and the body shop can not get the hood latch to work.

I was wondering if anyone came across the same problem and what the fix was.
 

Night Shifter

Well-Known Member
Dec 24, 2005
1,710
27
59
Daytona
Sep 7, 2012
#2
  • Sep 7, 2012
  • #2
Theres 2 bolts that hold the hood latch to the car...if they loosen them they can adjust the latch left and right...an adjustment is probably what it needs.. also sometimes the hole to the hood where it latches is a little thick on aftermarket hoods and will need to be sanded down for the latch to work properly

Both of those reasons kept my hood from latching when i got mine
 
J

John C. Greiner

New Member
Sep 5, 2012
3
0
1
South Carolina
Sep 7, 2012
#3
  • Sep 7, 2012
  • #3
The latch area in the stock hood is made out of thin metal and the aftermarket hood is just fiberglass with a thin piece of metal unbelted in it. It is already starting to break down the fiberglas where that latch comes in contact the hood and I am concerned that it might let go at high speeds.
.
 

Night Shifter

Well-Known Member
Dec 24, 2005
1,710
27
59
Daytona
Sep 8, 2012
#4
  • Sep 8, 2012
  • #4
Mine was thin as well but i had to do it..mines not breaking or anything though...if yours is breaking down then tou definitely need hood pins or else you will be replacing your windsheild and hood very soon...i hate hood pins so i got creative and installed mine upside down...you cant see them at all..this way i have a nice smoothe hood with no holes and a clean look

I can show you how i did it if youre interrested
 
J

John C. Greiner

New Member
Sep 5, 2012
3
0
1
South Carolina
Sep 8, 2012
#5
  • Sep 8, 2012
  • #5
Night Shifter said:
Mine was thin as well but i had to do it..mines not breaking or anything though...if yours is breaking down then tou definitely need hood pins or else you will be replacing your windsheild and hood very soon...i hate hood pins so i got creative and installed mine upside down...you cant see them at all..this way i have a nice smoothe hood with no holes and a clean look

I can show you how i did it if youre interrested
Click to expand...
Night Shifter said:
Mine was thin as well but i had to do it..mines not breaking or anything though...if yours is breaking down then tou definitely need hood pins or else you will be replacing your windsheild and hood very soon...i hate hood pins so i got creative and installed mine upside down...you cant see them at all..this way i have a nice smoothe hood with no holes and a clean look

I can show you how i did it if youre interrested
Click to expand...
Can you send me a picture of how you did it? It sounds like a good idea. I just went out and hacked apart a damaged hood in the junk yard and was thinking of using the stock latch brace and bolting it over the latch hole along on the new hood along with some stiffeners behind it for strength. I just need to make sure that I got the right height.
 

Night Shifter

Well-Known Member
Dec 24, 2005
1,710
27
59
Daytona
Sep 10, 2012
#6
  • Sep 10, 2012
  • #6
Yeah i should be able to get them to you later tonight or tomorrow
 
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