DIY Inside Hood Lock

[GNERGY]

I wanted a way to lock my hood without doing the 2 lockable hood pins thru the hood. Had them on another truck and didn't like them. I searched for the lockable cable to replace or go with the inside the cab hood release, and they don't make them anymore.
So i bought a deep 2x4 electrical box (single recept ) and welded in the corners and the knockouts. Bought a 4-11 (recept box ) flat box cover and cut it 3/8in. larger in all sides than the 2x4 box so I could bend the metal over and weld the corners so it would fit over the 2x4 box opening.
I bought a cabinet drawer lock to put in the top cover to lock it shut. I cut a notch in the back of the box so the cable could stick out. I had to file about an 1/8th. of an inch off of both sides of the pull handle so it will fit in the box. I mounted the factory hood release in the box and mounted the box to the kick panel where the hood release was screwed to. Total cost was less than $10.
Here are a couple of pics.
Tarey

 

[GNERGY]

Here is the box mounted to the kick panel. It works great.
Tarey

 

[GsxrMike]

Man thats cool! I'm assuming you can't lock your doors?

 

[GNERGY]

Ya I can lock my doors, but i don't want somebody getting under my hood and disabeling the alarm sirens or battery without working for it.
Tarey

 

[lectric80]

You do realize that with a simple screwdriver I can open the hood without ever having access to the hood release cable. I am all for extra security, but there are always very simple ways around something like that. Still looks good, just pointing out that there is a way to easily do it without getting inside the truck.

 

[GNERGY]

How, I am not aware of that.
Tarey

 

[lectric80]

If you look at the latch itself, you will see there is a small tab that sticks up where the cable connects. Just push that tab in the right direction and it will pop the initial lock. I have used this to open many hoods after the cable was either broken, or removed in the wrecking yard. GM's are some of the easiest to open without a cable. There are other manufacturers where you have to remove the grill and stuff, but GM made it pretty easy. And it is pretty much required, since there is a very real possibility of breaking the cable.

 

[GNERGY]

OK, cool, I'll check that out. There isn't really much room between my hood and core support to get a screwdriver in there. If there is I will block that area too..
Thanks for the heads up.
Tarey

 

[lectric80]

It only takes a very small amount, since I have a very skinny long screwdriver, but it works. If you look at where the cable attaches, you should be able to build a small piece of steel to block it. It may not be neccessary, but it is worth the security.

 

[GNERGY]

I'll look at that tomorrow and come up with something.
Thanks again.
Tarey

 

[BGKYK5]

Just don't break your cable after blocking access to the tab.

 

[mrdrinksalil]

I like it. I dont have doors so more security the better.

 

[jt512]

cool idea!!!