Quality Locking Hood Latch

[Iowa_Wrangler]

Why hasn't someone made a high quality locking hood latch? There are "choices" and some are better than others, but nothing stands out to be a true #1. I'd love to do the Mopar locking hood but I have the front facing camera so that's out.

Sponsored

 

[morlan52]

I ran the Bolt hood lock on my JK and loved it. It was the one that used the OEM key.

With my JL I have the same issue as you since I have the front camera and the Bolt one won't work so I'm curious as to what other comparable quality solutions are available.

 

[griffinm]

Why hasn't someone made a high quality locking hood latch? There are "choices" and some are better than others, but nothing stands out to be a true #1. I'd love to do the Mopar locking hood but I have the front facing camera so that's out.

Totally agree. Following as I have the front camera as well and would love a quality lock solution.

 

[Reinen]

I think it's still a situation where you have to choose between a quality hood lock (Bolt or Mopar) and no front trail camera, or a front trail camera with so-so side hood latch locks.

 

[jim00]

I have the Rampage Locking Hood latches. Very solid / heavy duty, but expensive. No issues with them over he last 4 months. As with all locks, a bit of graphite every once in a while keeps them from getting stuck by being out in the elements.

 

[RoadiJeff]

I have the Rampage Locking Hood latches. Very solid / heavy duty, but expensive. No issues with them over he last 4 months. As with all locks, a bit of graphite every once in a while keeps them from getting stuck by being out in the elements.

We had Rampage locks on our 2013 JK. After about a year, one of them quit working. Fortunately, it quit working in the unlock position. After many emails, etc., to the company asking if there was anything I could do to get the lock working again I never received a reply. I wasn't asking for a free replacement, just some ideas on how I might get it to work again.

I learned from that experience that Rampage couldn't care less about a customer once they have their money. Some people think Rampage locks look like they belong on a piece of Samsonite luggage rather than a Jeep anyway.

 

[Bob Burd]

Is there no way to move the front camera down a few inches to make both work?

 

[Iowa_Wrangler]

We had Rampage locks on our 2013 JK. After about a year, one of them quit working. Fortunately, it quit working in the unlock position. After many emails, etc., to the company asking if there was anything I could do to get the lock working again I never received a reply. I wasn't asking for a free replacement, just some ideas on how I might get it to work again.

I learned from that experience that Rampage couldn't care less about a customer once they have their money. Some people think Rampage locks look like they belong on a piece of Samsonite luggage rather than a Jeep anyway.

I've also heard bad things about Rampage. Quality and customer service are poor. They are on my "do not buy" list.

 

[Bocephus]

Huge fan of the idea being surfaced here - the lack of quality hood locks seems to be a major gap, at least if you’re running the front cam. I emailed one manufacturer recently to say - hey this is underserved and no doubt you guys could make a killer made in USA option. Maybe the market is too small to care…

 

[Dyolfknip74]

https://dv8offroad.com/products/locking-jeep-hood-hold-downs

 

[DHW]

I bought the cheap locking latches from Amazon mainly to serve as a visual deterrent. Once I took my Jeep to the dealer for service and forgot to unlock them even though I left the key in the cupholder. Instead of calling me, the service dept just broke both locks and never said a word.

 

[Bocephus]

https://dv8offroad.com/products/locking-jeep-hood-hold-downs

These look great but are notorious for jamming and failing, assuming the user stories are accurate.

 

[calemasters]

Why hasn't someone made a high quality locking hood latch? There are "choices" and some are better than others, but nothing stands out to be a true #1. I'd love to do the Mopar locking hood but I have the front facing camera so that's out.

I also have the OEM front trail cam. I wanted locking side hood latches that looked factory. I purchased a pair from Amazon and they lasted 4 weeks before the torsional spring on the latch bar broke. I purchased a similar design from Amazon, but a different brand with a barrel style lock cylinder, and the second set lasted about 6 weeks before one of the lock cylinders jammed. So I went from 4 weeks to failure to 6 weeks to failure, so I am moving in the right direction. I purchased a 3rd hood lock set from Amazon. The brand was Sukemichi JL Hood Latches. I do not know how long they will last, but it has been about 15 weeks so far. This is a world record for me!

 

[Iowa_Wrangler]

300k jl's sold per year. none have locks from the factory. In the 4 years of production, there are approximately 1 million JL's out there. So, if 10% of buyers want a quality solution, a 100,000 unit run wouldn't be enough to manufacture for a profit? It doesn't even seem to be a difficult thing to do. In another 4 years there will be another million so.......

Even if we cut that to 5% or 50,000 units. Price them at $75. The total is almost $4 million. Even if all costs are half, that's a 2 million profit.

Come on manufacturer's, do it!

One last thing. If your a manufacturer, let it be known, buyers will pay crazy amounts for something of high quality so, double the price to 150 and make it out of titanium with a super high quality covered lock. 8 million in sales.

Talk to me

 

[Iowa_Wrangler]

I also have the OEM front trail cam. I wanted locking side hood latches that looked factory. I purchased a pair from Amazon and they lasted 4 weeks before the torsional spring on the latch bar broke. I purchased a similar design from Amazon, but a different brand with a barrel style lock cylinder, and the second set lasted about 6 weeks before one of the lock cylinders jammed. So I went from 4 weeks to failure to 6 weeks to failure, so I am moving in the right direction. I purchased a 3rd hood lock set from Amazon. The brand was Sukemichi JL Hood Latches. I do not know how long they will last, but it has been about 15 weeks so far. This is a world record for me!

Looks like the ones I just purchased. Made out of some type of plastic vs metal and a round style locking mechanism. I think I paid $40 and a very low expectation but like I said in the opening, there isn't much to choose from. As soon as a high quality option abounds, you will see everything rushing to try it out. Word gets out fast.

Sponsored