Best (Locking?) Hood Pins, To Prevent Hood From Flying Off ?

Ghost001 · Jan 3, 2004

Hello,

I've just about decided to use the Ford Racing Performance Parts hood pins, which are stainless steel, and seem to have the best chance of preventing my Steeda hood from flying off, if the stock latch fails. However, I wish they were locking, also, to prevent someone from stealing them.

I've thought about using little Master locks, instead of the clip pins that come with the kit. However, the small Master locks, that I found, did not look as sturdy as the clip pins. But maybe they will be enough...The larger Master locks looked like they would lap over beyond the edge of the steel disk, and maybe rub the hood paint.

I also looked at the locking ones at the following web site

http://www.prostreetonline.com/pso/pages/details.asp?productsku=MRG-1472

but I've heard that this type is for anti-theft only, and is not as effective at preventing the hood from flying away. Also, I'm guessing that they are not stainless steel, because the ad does not say anything about the material.

So are the FRPP ones the best, for keeping the hood on?

Does anyone make a sturdy lock that I can use instead of the clip pins?

Or, does anyone make stainless steel locking hood pins, that are as sturdy as the FRPP ones?

I also looked at Dzus fasterners, and Camloc fasteners, but these look much more difficult to install, and cannot be locked.

Atlanta_GTer · Jan 3, 2004

The one's that are in the link is what I THINK I want to go with. I can't be possitive, but I don't see how these wouldn't stop your hood from blowing off. They should work just like any other style hood pin in the fact that they lock the hood to a bolt which is connected to a stationary point on the front of the car. I just don't like the normal hood pins with cables.
Just not real sure yet what the best route to go with is.

Ghost001 · Jan 4, 2004

Atlanta_GTer said:
The one's that are in the link is what I THINK I want to go with. I can't be possitive, but I don't see how these wouldn't stop your hood from blowing off. They should work just like any other style hood pin in the fact that they lock the hood to a bolt which is connected to a stationary point on the front of the car. I just don't like the normal hood pins with cables.
Just not real sure yet what the best route to go with is.

I'm definitely not going to use the cables. Just the clip pins (those pins that have rings on them to hold them in place).

Here are a couple of threads that talk about those locking hood pins not being effective at keeping the hood on:

http://forums.stangnet.com//showthread.php?t=348300&highlight=hood+pins

http://www.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=346169&highlight=hood+pins

You can do a Search, using the both key words "hood" and "pins" in the title only, to find some more good info on this site and other sites.

I also found some hood pins with "captive" pins, at the following website:

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/as...q.0/cont.1/intPgNo.1/redirect./qx/product.htm

The problem with these, is that they don't lock. They merely prevent someone from easily stealing the hood pins. Someone could easily unlatch them, which would be just as bad as stealing them, if I didn't notice until after I was on the highway, and my hood took off like a kite.

john_324 · Jan 5, 2004

I think the FRPP ones are the best out there...they're also the same ones that were available stock on the 1969 GT and the Fairlane Cobra...

I've got a set I want to put on (cables and all...I love that retro look!), but am still debating about whether to install myself or have someone do it...

CottonBurnerz · Jan 5, 2004

At what point will you need the hood pin? I always thought that it just for looks..

john_324 · Jan 5, 2004

I think with aftermarket hoods it's considered a good idea (as they're lighter than the stock one, and the latch oftentimes doesn't hold it down as well as one would like). Not strictly necessary, but an added measure of safety if one is so inclined...

I like 'em for aesthetic reasons myself though...

Ghost001 · Jan 5, 2004

Steeda recommends getting them, if you get a Steeda aftermarket hood.

I think it's a good idea. I've done lots of searches on forums, and I've seen lots of cases where the aftermarket hoods fly up because of the latch failing. Sometimes, it's because the hood flexes and then slips off of the latch. Other times, it's because they don't fit quite as well as the stock hoods. Other times, it's because the fiberglass near the latch breaks, or the screws holding the metal part onto the fiberglass come off.

I even saw a couple of cases where the stock hood flew up.

It's a nice, cheap precaution, which can save you thousands of dollars, which is what it would cost to get your hood, windshield, and top of your car fixed.

Also, I think hood pins can take some of the pressure off of the hood latch.

I think they look just good, and they are definitely functional, so I'm going to install them myself, after my Steeda 1995 Cobra R hood's paint finishes evaporating. It doesn't look too hard to do, because I have a Dremel tool, as well as a drill, to drill the required holes.

After searching the forums, I've decided to go with the FRPP hood pins, but I will probably use little padlocks, instead of the lynch pins that come with the FRPP kit. Or, if I can find some cooler-looking locks, I'll replace the padlocks with the cool locks.

SVTSTEEDA · Jan 5, 2004

I have the Ford pins (bought from Steeda) on my Steeda hood and they don't look right. The pins will rust if you don't have a garage to put your car in. I have to polish my pins every time it rains. They may be stainless put the rings on the pins are not. Don't be afraid of people stealing them (just take them off each time it's not that big a deal). I had the body shop put them on after my hood flew up and did 2,500 in damage. My hood flew up at 50mph. The worst part is I checked it before I got into the car and it was latched the funny part is after I had to climb out the passenger side to grab the hood it still latched even though it had come unhinged at the top. I could not find a better set so I will have to deal with what I have (it serves its purpose). Good luck to you.

Ghost001 · Jan 5, 2004

SVTSTEEDA said:
Good luck to you.

Thanks SVTSTEEDA!

Do you mean the rings that are attached to the lynch pins (the lynch pins being the pins that you remove to open the hood)? Is that what rusted? It wasn't the big flat disks that are screwed into the hood, was it?

Hopefully, the little padlocks, that I have, will not rust. If they do, then maybe I'll try to find a different brand of padlock.

It does sound kind of risky, removing the lynch pins every time you park the car. I'm sure I would forget to put them back on. In fact, I read one post where a guy did just that, and off flew his hood!

I did buy two extra hood pin kits, just so I could have extra lynch pins, which I put in that compartment between the driver's seat and passenger's seat. That way, if anyone stole my lynch pins, I'd have plenty to spare in the compartment. But now I'm planning to use padlocks, so I guess I don't need them anymore (but I'll probably keep them anyway).

john_324 · Jan 6, 2004

I'm pretty sure he means the rings on the lynch pins...looking at my set, they look chrome, not stainless. The kickplates however are stainless, so they should be okay.

Yeah, if you don't use the lanyards, it's kinda tough to come up with a theft-proof but good-looking way to keep some lowlife from stealing the pins.

Let me know how the install goes. I'm anxious to know whether I should do myself (I too have the tools) or if it's easier to have a body shop do it (which I've heard).

SVTSTEEDA · Jan 6, 2004

Sorry, yeah I meant the rings only (the metal piece that slides through is stainless but the actual ring attached to it will rust). The other pieces you can just wipe down to clean with no problem. The body shop called me when they were going to install the pins to let me look at the design (things didn't look right). Because of the Steeda hood we could not use all the pieces that came with the set. I will try to explain what I mean (I don't know the names for the parts). The pieces that would be put over the flat disk would not fit because of the design of the hood. Now we may be idiots but I don't think so. Look under your hood and look at the set you have and explain to me how you can put those pieces on since the hood is not completely flat at the area. I know I am probably confusing you but when we looked at it we realized that we could not install it the way is was meant to be. The final result is you have an area on your hood between the rings and post (anchors) that shows the hood (think disk, painted hood area, then post). I would take a picture but I don't have a digital camera. SIDE NOTE; that was a smart idea to buy extra pins. I haven't even thought about people stealing mine. If I had to take them off I could easily throw them in my pocket. You may be more confused now than ever (i'm sorry). If so continue with the questions and I'll try to answer more clearly. I will go look at the parts again to make sure I'm not an idiot.

john_324 · Jan 6, 2004

I noticed as well that there seem to be parts of the hood pin kit that you really can't use.

The underhood kickplates (the non-shiny ones with the lip) can't be used unless you have a perfectly flat hood surface underneath. Also, what on earth are the little washers for - the tiny ones that apparently would go around the screws that secure the plate to the hood? I have no idea...

SVTSTEEDA · Jan 6, 2004

john_324 said:
I noticed as well that there seem to be parts of the hood pin kit that you really can't use.

The underhood kickplates (the non-shiny ones with the lip) can't be used unless you have a perfectly flat hood surface underneath. Also, what on earth are the little washers for - the tiny ones that apparently would go around the screws that secure the plate to the hood? I have no idea...

lol. Exactly. You summed up what I was trying to say in a few sentences and I rambled on forever above. The guy that installed my set has worked on cars for a long time (bodyshop and in racing) and he said that he had never seen a set like the Ford ones. Like a said before they do the job for me but I don't like the way the look with the exposed hood material in between the plates (it will just continue to chip at the hood). I'm still laughing at your comments. Thanks for the help. I just had them put the extra pieces in a box and they are sitting in my closet (washers included).

poolee · Jan 6, 2004

Get Hood Pins!!

CottonBurnerz said:
At what point will you need the hood pin? I always thought that it just for looks..

The Steeda Cobra R hood is not a very solid hood. It doesn't have any rigidity, so the wind can make it wobble a lot. I had one and the latch dropped at 65 mph coming over the top of a bridge. The hood ripped off of the car, tearing the quarter panel hinge attachment. Then it smashed my windshield and wipers, then flipped over the car, ripped my vert top and messed up the vinyl on my light bar (thank god for the light bar, it might've been my head otherwise). Luckily the hood slid to the side of the road, so no one hit it or got hit by it. I can post pix of the damage when I get home.

I got a Cervini's Ram Air after that and an aftermarket hood latch. It's freakin solid.

Long story short, hood pins are good, no matter what you get.

DC-GT · Jan 6, 2004

poolee said:
The Steeda Cobra R hood is not a very solid hood. It doesn't have any rigidity, so the wind can make it wobble a lot. I had one and the latch dropped at 65 mph coming over the top of a bridge. The hood ripped off of the car, tearing the quarter panel hinge attachment. Then it smashed my windshield and wipers, then flipped over the car, ripped my vert top and messed up the vinyl on my light bar (thank god for the light bar, it might've been my head otherwise). Luckily the hood slid to the side of the road, so no one hit it or got hit by it. I can post pix of the damage when I get home.

I got a Cervini's Ram Air after that and an aftermarket hood latch. It's freakin solid.

Long story short, hood pins are good, no matter what you get.

I would be interested in hearing what latch you have now...

Bo

poolee · Jan 6, 2004

poolee · Jan 6, 2004

DC-GT said:
I would be interested in hearing what latch you have now...

Bo

I'll try to find the box and let you know tomorrow

john_324 · Jan 7, 2004

SVTSTEEDA said:
lol. Exactly. You summed up what I was trying to say in a few sentences and I rambled on forever above. The guy that installed my set has worked on cars for a long time (bodyshop and in racing) and he said that he had never seen a set like the Ford ones. Like a said before they do the job for me but I don't like the way the look with the exposed hood material in between the plates (it will just continue to chip at the hood). I'm still laughing at your comments. Thanks for the help. I just had them put the extra pieces in a box and they are sitting in my closet (washers included).

The way I figure it, the kit was designed for late 1960s Fords...back then, hoods were totally flat on the underside. Still doesn't explain those $*%# little washers though.

If I ever get up close and personal with a '69 GT, I'm going to see how what Ford did, since they came from the factory with this hood pin kit.

But as for my Mustang, like you, I'll just put 'em aside...

MPSnyper · Jan 11, 2004

**** dude glad your ok. i guy i worked with his hood scoop ripped off.. it was a 2000 the first year for the fat scoop.. It ripped off hit his windshield and then hit another car
****ty thing he was only going 80-85..

the hood pins with cables will scratch you hood and fender..
I like those Mr.Gasket ones.. locks are good !! but they arnt stainless..
wont stop somone trying to get under your hood but will slow them down

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2453009887

nickthegenius · Mar 2, 2004

I hate to bring a thread back from the dead, but which pieces aren't used in the FRPP kit? I'm supposed to drop my car off Friday morning to have them installed and I want to warn him that there will be parts left over.

Best (Locking?) Hood Pins, To Prevent Hood From Flying Off ?

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