help I cant open my grill

[mountaineer5.0]

I have a 97 mountaineer and I really wanted a billit grill so I purchased a explorer shell and a billit insert it all looks great but the problem is the on hood latch is behind the grill. What can I do, I went to the junk yard thinking that maybe the expo was different the only ones they had were the same, so how do you open your grill??

 

[SHISVX]

get a screw driver and insert it between the billets and pop it open that way

Kelli

 

[mountaineer5.0]

that is what Ive been doing, is that the only way that just seems bo bo.

 

[XplorerKid]

bo bo or not, thats the way most people d oit, unless you want to cut a chunk outta your billet grill

PEACE

 

[99SportX]

That is the only way without modification. 98+ have the latch just under the hood, so when you pop it, you just reach under and lift it.

 

[mountaineer5.0]

what if I just remove the safty mechanism and just use the latch

 

[old mechanic]

Originally posted by mountaineer5.0
what if I just remove the safty mechanism and just use the latch

NO! I would NOT do that! I learned the hard way on that years ago! Would you believe that a hood flying open at 65MPH can TOTAL your car or truck? Well it can!
Mine flew open bent the hood in half, kinked the fenders and smashed the roof and pillars making it a TOTAL! It happened in like a flash of the eye! I was on a bridge when it happened about 3:00 AM and not much traffic! Try driving blind folded! Thats what it seemed like!

 

[Black Magic]

I think the Mechanic has the correct idea. Don't do that!

 

[mountaineer5.0]

thanx guys your a big help, even though I almost removed but after I thought about it is pretty dangerous

 

[Brandon4AU]

I rigged a coat hanger around the latch and pushed the other end into the wheel well. You cant see it at all....and when I open the hood I just reach under there and grab the other end of the coat hanger. It has worked flawlessly for over two years.

 

[Ryde _Or_Die]

Originally posted by Brandon4AU
I rigged a coat hanger around the latch and pushed the other end into the wheel well. You cant see it at all....and when I open the hood I just reach under there and grab the other end of the coat hanger. It has worked flawlessly for over two years.

Can you explain with more detail? Any pics? What side and where exactly did you run the coat hanger?


Also, guys that use a screwdriver...does it start to bend the grill at all after a while?

 

[Brandon4AU]

I can try. I straightened the hanger and bit the hooked end down and placed it around the hood latch. The part that is moved to releace the hood. I then took the other end of the hanger and maneuvered it down through the plastic behind the headlight and out of the wheel well. The end of the hanger is barely even seen when you look down in the wheel well but I know exactly where it is I dont have any pics but I hope that helps some.

 

[expo5.0]

i also did a write-up of a way to make your own above the grille release mechanism like on the 99s. If you search you may be able to find it.

 

[Hartman]

Here's the latch that I made in about an hour with some metal I had laying around my workshop. I tried to make it look somewhat factory.

 

[Makahveli]

I think I'll try that on mine, I wanna put a mesh screen behind mines