what no one knows where to get one these days ?

 

You'll have to buy one used. Hit up the local junkyards craigslist and eBay. There are people with these things still sitting around.

 

I'm not familiar with the locking release, but for those looking for some additional security, here's what I do on mine:

Go to the junkyard and get an Econoline latch with inside release. Go to parts house and get inside release cable assembly. Then I mount the latch, route the cable thru the firewall, and zip 2 self tappers into the kick panel to secure the release. Bingo!

Might work for some of you guys that don't want to hassle with finding and fixing the old locking setup.

Sorry if that was off topic!

 

I ordered the early no-lock cable from LMC--will update on mow it works to replace my broken Canadian lockable one till I find one.
MEANWHILE can anyone tell me how to open my hood? 1977 F250 4x4.

 

Original from 2008. Then revived in 2012. Then again Oct of 2018. Those previous people definitely knew how to use the search feature.

Crossed my mind today about hood latches. What I'm thinking about is an electric release. Something like an electric door lock but heavier duty. It would need some type of manuel backup in case power was lost, dead battery type of thing.

Has anyone done this? I have ideas but in no way shape or form am I a fabricator.

 

The only thing I can think is to pop the grill out and try to remove the cover to trip the lever manually. I don't have my latch mounted yet, but from what I remember working on it to clean it up, it won't be easy. I think that was the point when it was designed.

 

I've contemplated adding in a secondary hood latch release somewhere hidden for scenarios such as this...

There is a way to get the hood to open, but it would mean removing the grille inserts. You should be able to insert a flathead screw driving behind the hood latch and manuver the unlocking arm towards the driver side of the vehicle... you'll hear the typical "pop" for the hood when it happens.

 

The $43 early 80's cable arrived from LMC. As mentioned above, the handle is a non-matching black plastic. The cello wrapper has a big MADE IN CHINA sticker.

Waiting a day or two to decide whether to even open it, but looks like it may work for a while. The cost of a non-locking latch is about the same...

 

 

Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple for our old trucks. If the front protector plate / cable cover plate is installed on the locking hood latch, then you'll have to:

1) Remove the front grille insert
2) Grab a pair of vice grips + short Phillips bit to remove the single Phillips screw from the cover plate
3) Remove the plate
4) Pop the hood with a screw driver (similar to the video above).

If you're an unfortunate soul like me... you'll also have to undo the 2 bolts for the hood latch and shimmy the hood latch passed your grille shell because it won't release from the hood...

 

 

I had purchased a new Canadian OEM cable from eBay a couple years ago. It was very hard to pull after installation and I always wondered why. Finally the handle came off--it broke where the cable is crimped on--very tacky design. A machinist friend was able to make a new piece that is held by small set screws. We'll see how long it lasts.
In the process, I learned a few things. The latch has a security cover over where the cable is attached, held by one sheet metal screw. With patience you can snake a bent hook behind it to pull the actual release lever which has a VERY light touch. Leave the cover off while you're fixing the cable--it's easy to trip the release with one finger after you practice. The note above describes the same hint on opening the hood.

 

I had purchased a new Canadian OEM cable from eBay a couple years ago. It was very hard to pull after installation and I always wondered why. Finally the handle came off--it broke where the cable is crimped on--very tacky design. A machinist friend was able to make a new piece that is held by small set screws. We'll see how long it lasts.
In the process, I learned a few things. The latch has a security cover over where the cable is attached, held by one sheet metal screw. With patience you can snake a bent hook behind it to pull the actual release lever which has a VERY light touch. Leave the cover off while you're fixing the cable--it's easy to trip the release with one finger after you practice.

 

Redneck Hood Latch 01

Redneck Hood Latch 02

Redneck Hood Latch 03

 

Advice needed to push grommet thru firewall. What would be the best lubricant to help push it thru. Had a guy come try push it thru him being stronger then me but he cant get it thru the ffirewall either. What tool can i use to push the grommet thru?