I am about to install these hood latches:




I put one of the pins in on the passenger side like it is circled in this picture:



I put some paint on the top of the pin and lowered the hood to get a marking of the paint on the hood to know where to drill.

My question is if I don't have the right length of the pin (either too short or too long) when I drill will it mean that I ruined my hood?

I had originally thought that wouldn't matter as long as it was pretty close, but the more I think about it the more I wonder if it needs to be almost perfect?

 

i never understood the whole purpose of hood pins, can someone please explain this **** to me...

 

if you don't know what the purpose is then you don't need to worry about it.

 

To prevent the hood from flying up while driving??????

 

My Tip,
1) Dont drink while drilling the hole's
2) Take your time and take lots of measurements before drilling,
3) Start off with a small hole to check location.

 

oooh thats right, because it happens so often, right...right....





i dont get it....

 

When you put a lightweight hood on the car (like TS full carbonfiber hood), you need to hold it closed in several places so when you drive at high speed - it won't fly open or break. Some people install them for look's although on a regular hood. Our stock hoods don't need them - that is why they have a skeleton under the sheet metal.

 

My only suggestion is - Measure twice, cut once.

 

On most hood/pin combo, the pins are adjustable to fit most hoods when closed. Like Godzilla said, be very careful and take your time in measurment and drilling. Drill little by little and you'll get there in no time.. good luck! Post pics when you are done..

Insanechick - hood pins are mainly used for lighter than stock aftermarket hoods like a carbon fiber one, the one that doesn't come with a locking latch that hooks onto the car. Just a safety measure just in case air doesn't get underneath the hood and fly up and smashed into your windshield. Happened to me before eventhough I had a locking latch on my hood. Most stock hoods, you don't really need it unless you want it just for looks..

 

Why do the Do-Luck cars not have hood pins?

Is it type, say, somebody like Seibon compared to Do-Luck. Is it the dry-carbon doesn't need it and the Seibon does?

 

I imagine it's just a preference thing. The CF hoods from Top Secret are dry carbon and they *usually* install pins. I'd imagine though that some of their hoods that are painted are fiberglass (and also have pins), but I don't think that matters... I'd say that in Top Secrets case maybe it's just for styling..

My seibon hood does't fit well on the right front corner by the head light (it's curved upwards), and the hood wiggles a lot on the freeway. I also am developing a spider crack on top of the hoods latch. I just am installing them for safety.

Let me make sure I've got the necessary tools:

Six Pack - check
Drill - Check
Doh - have to buy a saw
later

 

Measure twice and drill once. its really a peice of mind thing when going 140 and not having to worry about a latch on a carbon fiber hood giving and fuc*ing you up.

 

Very dirty hood now








Sorry very hard to see shots.



The underside of the hood is pretty mangled. You can't see it with the just open unless you turn your head upside down to look up underneath it. I bought a fiberglass repair kit so I am going to try and clean it up some.



This side didn't look nearly as bad

 

What did you cut that with, a chainsaw?????

 

Dremel, why, does it look bad?

 

twice i have been in cars where the hood flew up, just like a drivers Ed film.
hood pins were essential in my camaro because the hood would lift about 2 inches maxing the latch. please make sure whatever pins you get lock somehow...maybe it wil help deter car or parts theft

 

I'm using my stock hood latch and the hood pins. I should be alright.