While driving down the interstate today at about 70. The hood release released. Thank God for the safety latch. I bout messed my pants also.

 

That was close. That does it Im going to drill my safety latch and put a lock in it before I put mine on the road this spring.

 

Yep I drilled my safety latch and just used one of those cheapo aluminum carabiners that you can get at any parts store, they're usually up on the counter. Just make sure its large enough so it wont pull through the hole.

 

This happened to me in 1966 while driving north on the 101 freeway south of Hollywood Blvd in beautiful Hollyweird (not very visible with the hood resting against the windshield).

This was not my '65, but the '63 F100 "wrong bed" that Stockton Quincy Ford in Westwood used as a parts delivery truck.

I had to whiz over to Cort Fox Ford in Hollyweird and pick up a part for the owners Thunderbird that his wife was driving.

The hood safety catch used on these trucks is as worthless as teats on a mule.

 

Guys, Take about 20-30 minutes and assure your hood stays down. Get a can of spray lube, don't sweat the brand use YOUR favorite.

Raise the hood and spray all the joint areas on the hinges really good. Now raise and lower the hood 15 times, spray it again and repete another 15. Your hood should move pretty freely now.

Next look at the at the area that the safty latch goes into is it flat and straight, if not try to get it straight with a hammer and big screwdriver if needed. Lower the hood slowly see how the latch hook hits the hole. Next spray the pivit area and flip it 15 times, repete. You want it to come down and click into place. You want to hear it click.

Next move to the latch itself spray it up good push the hood down and hear it lock up. You might use the big screwdriver to save some steps, spray it good, trip & unlock the latch 15 times, repete.

Once you have it aligned and lubed repete the lube and test 5-6 times or whatever your comfort level for movement about once a year afterwards.

To me it is comforting to drive down the road and not have to be concerned about the hood staying down. It has been several years and a couple trucks back since I have had a popup. I don't want to say you can prevent it from happening but you surely can reduce the chance.



John

 

You're 100% right John... spending some time with the latch is a good thing!

 

Agreed - but drilling your safety latch for a lock or even just a pin gives you even more peace of mind.

 

Installing lock is certainly a safety feature but I found it a pain in the backside reaching thru the grille to install the lock, not to mention removing the lock when ever I wanted to check under the hood. Having said that, seem to recall recently member posting a picture of the hood on his truck after it flew up, definitely a distinct bend, do believe he did find a replacement. I found the small, weather resistant lock worked great.

 

I had it all lubed up good and working well. Last thing I wanted was the hood coming up, that is for sure. But it happened and the safety latch did its job. Think I will do what I saw someone else do on here. Run a tie own strap from fender to fender to hold the hood down. That should do the trick

 

This has happened twice both times my daughter was in the truck.
First time my daughter was about five years old. I just picked her up from school as we took off from the stop sign the hood raised up, luckily I wasn't going fast. The hood had opened up all the way and my daughters eyes were just as wide. No safety catch at that time.
After that incident I picked up a safety catch and made sure the spring is always good and strong.
A couple of weeks ago my daughter and I went to get my truck at the upholstery shop, while on the ride home I noticed the hood pop up a bit. my daughter was focused on the stereo so she didn't see it. The safety catch did it's job.
Always make sure hood is properly closed, (I didn't on either time) and make sure you have a good safety catch.

 

Your truck's too nice - the bailing twine tends to wear the paint off.

 

Hey Redneck if you ever come to Billings and want to see my truck I would be glad to show you. Let me know

 

Don't disagree guys, but when I lower my hood slowly and hear two distinct clicks, I have peace of mind. And most of the time I do close it slowly just to hear those clicks. Slaming it can cause you to miss that comforting sound.



John

 

I've got an old yellow '64 that's technically been in the family since new. It only has 64,000 miles on it. The hood latch has been tinkered with literally for hours on end. It works insanely easy. When your cruising down the dirt road though, the littlest bump makes it pop open. It has been this way for years.

 

Joe when you say 2 distinct clicks. Are you talking about the 1 click the safety latch makes and then one click made by the hood latch itself? I went out today and removed the latch and lubed it more and worked it and worked it and worked it. I only get 1 click. That is when the jaws close completely. What I see when this is happening is that there is a spring loaded catch that flips up and holds the pull lever. This in turn when the pull lever is pulled drops down to release the jaws thus letting the hood to pop up from the hinge spring pressure. Am I missing something??????