Small custom hood latch options

[Richio1]

Here is the set up I am planning to use. They were used on 944s. I got it on eBay for $30 and am using the Lokar hood Cable. I have about $100 into the set up. The Screaming Perf. set is nice but I didn't want to spend $500 and I don't like the big hook.

At SEMA this year I saw a couple first gens that were using BMW dual pin set ups. I thought of that too ans liked the fact that there were 2 connection point, one at each corner, but thought it would be more difficult to align.

On the Porsche set up I like the size of the hook and the release.



If I am not mistaken it is the same set up the Steilow used on Meyham.



This is the VW set up. Both the Porsche and VW latches use the same base receiver.



This the the underside

[C6Z06]

Here's an excerpt from the Lou's Change build thread that has more info on these kind of hood latches.

Hope this helps make your research easier.

....With all that cooling packaging in the vacinity of the core support we decided that a hood latch assembly similar to the one Stielow used in Charlie's JackAss was in order.
The arrangement they used is cable accuated which also offers a little more secure access to the engine compartment.
It also just looks cool.

Here is the hood latch in JackAss. Like the rest of the engine bay, it's a very clean solution:





When we started our research on where to buy parts to do something similar, we first figured out the latch/lock pieces were similar to those used in some mid 80s-early 90s era Volkswagens.

For instance, here is a Lower hood latch for a 1990 Volkswagen Jetta:




Here is the Upper hood latch for the same car:




For these pieces, it appears there are genuine Volkswagen parts and then there are cheap imitations. Even on the genuine VW parts, we were a little hesitant relative to the safety catch design which looks pretty light weight.

Next we found a very nice, turn key solution already customized to drop right into first gens. The kit is made by Screamin' Performance. Here are some pics from their web site:





Not only did Screamin' Performance engineer a total drop in solution, it looks like they also beefed up the safety catch and some other aspects of the latches.

Since we are planning to custom build the covers in and around the core support anyway, we decided to just buy the beefiest latch components we could find of similar construction.

That led us to the hood latches that were used on the Volkswagen Thing back in the 70's. I know, most of you are probably too young to rememeber that vehicle....

These are the pieces we ended up with because they are very similar but considerably stronger. For instance, note how the safety catch is a U shaped, wide claw design vs. a single metal thickness design. The easier to access opening lever/tab is also a nice upgrade.





In case you decide to go this route one day, the part numbers are as follows:
Upper latch: VW 175 823 507
Lower latch: VW 411 823 509
They are still available through sites who sell parts to restore the old VW Things.

For a cable, we ordered this Lokar part number XTR1200U

[joeelutz]

C6Z06, Thanks for the info, pics and part #'s. That is a good looking setup!

[dontlifttoshift]

The Walking Thread.....

At SEMA this year I saw a couple first gens that were using BMW dual pin set ups. I thought of that too ans liked the fact that there were 2 connection point, one at each corner, but thought it would be more difficult to align.

Does anyone have anymore information regarding a dual pin type hood latch? I have a pair of aerocatches but they just do not mount any where that makes sense visually or structurally on my early mustang. Right now I am looking at the Mercedes E320 latch from about 2000.

Here is the latch that would mount to the core support pn 210-880-09-60


Here is the striker part. pn 210-880-10-60



The stuff is relatively cheap and pretty small. It's german engineered so <sarcasm font> it should be bullet proof <sarcasm font> but access to these would be pretty good if I had a cable failure and it wouldn't be hard to build in redundancy if I wanted. Cable would route outside of the engine compartment so it should still work if I'm on fire.

One of each would go in each corner, in front of the core support, right where the factory adjustable hood bumpers mount. Sounds awesome, right?

[Coursey]

The Walking Thread.....



Does anyone have anymore information regarding a dual pin type hood latch? I have a pair of aerocatches but they just do not mount any where that makes sense visually or structurally on my early mustang. Right now I am looking at the Mercedes E320 latch from about 2000.

Here is the latch that would mount to the core support pn 210-880-09-60


Here is the striker part. pn 210-880-10-60



The stuff is relatively cheap and pretty small. It's german engineered so <sarcasm font> it should be bullet proof <sarcasm font> but access to these would be pretty good if I had a cable failure and it wouldn't be hard to build in redundancy if I wanted. Cable would route outside of the engine compartment so it should still work if I'm on fire.

One of each would go in each corner, in front of the core support, right where the factory adjustable hood bumpers mount. Sounds awesome, right?

Old tread i know!. How did these work out for you? I am doing a tilting would bed on a c10 build. Wondering if these have enough spring pressure to pop the floor up enough to get fingers under it? Or, does it need extra springs to assist?