now this is funny

[XJAR]

last week i made a custom speed grill ( i dont have any pic yet). i just removed my grill and corver that back with gutter gaurd wire mesh. it looks reall good i also fill the openings in my bumper too. everyone that see is tells me how great it looks. i have the 91 style grill so the wire mesh shows really well. now this is the funny part last night i went to check my oil and well guess what i can't open my hood, now this didnt downe on me the night i was make in the grill the hood was up all night and the last thing i did was close it, but now im f&$ked i havent had time to play with it but im goin to today. i think that i might be able to cut a hole in the mesh were it wont be seen just enought to get my finger in there

oh and dose anyone know how to make a new topic because it would be realy cool to have a interior and exterior custom topic so people can share ideas and problem like this

 

[ChuckyD]

I always wondered how people who had billet grills and such, opened their hood... LOL

 

[CADDYBILL]

An old trick is too use some strong wire to catch the hood release.

 

[BislamJoe]

An idea I had (haven't tried it yet) was to pull the hood latch from a mid 80's f-truck. The hood pops up a little when you operate the catch in the cab, then you hold the hood up a little and press down the latch from above. That could work maybe...

 

[ok89]

Ehem. On my 1998 I pull the release and the hood pops up some and then i goto the front hold the hood up and pull the lever up. The lever however is ABOVE the grille and headlamp surround.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Originally posted by ok89
Ehem. On my 1998 I pull the release and the hood pops up some and then i goto the front hold the hood up and pull the lever up. The lever however is ABOVE the grille and headlamp surround.

Ok89, Ford relocated the latch to above the grill in '98 MY Explorers.

XJAR, I guess the only thing you can do is to cut a small hole so you can reach the latch or you can relocate the latch above the grill. I think someone has done this mod before but I don't remember who. Good luck finding the solution and keep us posted!!

 

[93Ranger]

i did the grille to my 93 ford ranger, but my hood latch is above the grille/headlight surround like ok99's

www.angelfire.com/dc/ozone/truck/MAVICA.HTM

there are pic's of my grille in there.

 

[Stephen S]

Originally posted by '96explorereddiebauer


Ok89, Ford relocated the latch to above the grill in '98 MY Explorers.

XJAR, I guess the only thing you can do is to cut a small hole so you can reach the latch...

I did that! I have a 95 with a home-made grill insert and all I did was cut a little hole in the mesh where the hood latch is. First, just cut enough for the lever to poke through, then move the lever like you are going to open the hood, cutting away any mesh that gets in the way. This way, you only cut away what you have to. You don't really notice the hole cause it's kinda high up under the grill. Here's how mine looks, though I'm not sure if you can see the hole in this picture...

Dead Link Removed

 

[red96camaro]

ut oh

Do I have a problem or what I am thinking now.
FOr Xmas I should be receiving a grill for my 97. Will I be able to open the hood?

 

[Stephen S]

If your hood release comes through the grill, then you might not be able to get at it with your fingers with your new grill, depending on the style of the grill. If its above the grill surround, instead of poking through the front of the grill, then you're good. I think Ford changed the release design in 98, so yours should still come through the grill like my 95 does. You might need to get creative to get your hood open. Go outside and check it out to be sure.

 

[espnfreak]

same problem, my 96 with a speedgrille. i use a screwdriver, but soon might try to switch to a 98+ hood latch

 

[ok89]

My earlier remark was aimed at BislamJoe because he said he wanted to take one from a 80s pickup. I just wanted to let him know that he could also take one from an explorer

 

[red96camaro]

sonofab*tch, I guess I'll be checking it out shortly when I get the grill for Xmas. I don't wanna put any holes in the thing. Probably switch the latch if it is posible.

 

[diablo5969]

I was thinking of making a mesh grill too, but I have a 94, so the hood latch is in the grill. How would you upgrade to a different hood latch?

 

[BT4auBURN]

Here's what I did

Well I was so excited about getting my billet grill that I thought of different ways to rig it way before I even got the grill. I took a black clothes hanger and secured it around the actual hood latch and ran the other end behind my left head light and down in to my wheel well. So I pull the inside latch then reach around my wheel and grab the hanger to release the other latch. Seemed the easiest for my 96.

 

[diablo5969]

That's not a bad idea. And it seems a lot easier than trying to switch hood latches.

 

[XJAR]

IT ISNT HARD TO MAKE A NEW LATCH THROUGH THE HOOD, I DID IT ALL U NEED IS SOME KIND OF 90 * PEACE OF STEEL AND 2 SELF TAPPER SCREEWS , OPEN THE HOOD WERE THE LATCH HANDLE GOES DOWN CLAMP THE 90* STEEL TO IT DRILL YOUR HOLES UNCLAMP IT AND U ARE DONE SHOUT HOOD AND TEST , IT MAYBE A LITTLE WEIRD AT FIRST BUT U WILL GET USED TO IT IF U WANT TO SEE PIC OF WHAT I DID JUST E-MAIL ME JARKINR@AOL.COM ,,, IT LOOK ABOUT BETTER THEN IT SOUNDS I JUST DONT HAVE TIME TO GET INTO ALOT OF DETAIL RIGHT NOW

 

[Alec]

red96camaro,
Don't worry, most aftermarket speed grilles come with a latch extender. The only ones that don't are the ones from Ebay. It seems XJAR fabbed his own, but I can't read his cause HE FRIGGIN TYPED IN ALL CAPS!

Basically most of the extenders are a steel rod that drills into the hood latch on one end and extends below to the bumper opening so you can open your hood from the bottom.

 

[XJAR]

hey sorry if i typed in all caps, were i work my caps lock is always on and sometimes i dont notic that im typin in all caps,,, y is it a problem y cant u read it