Voodonala for Jeep JK Black Stainless Steel Hood Catch Latches Kit for 2007-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK JKU
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When it came to installation, I used the factory isolator pads.
No, only for the 2007-2008 school year. 18 JK JKU
Plastic pieces go between the hood and the latches, as seen in the photos. These have been in my possession for approximately six months. They've made me very happy. There will be no more fluttering of the hood.
Selected User Reviews For Voodonala for Jeep JK Black Stainless Steel Hood Catch Latches Kit for 2007-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK JKU
Almost everything you need was included with the latches. Because the nuts didn't come with washers, I used the original Jeep parts. There were no instructions, but I knew that based on the reviews. I didn't need them, but if you're not a puzzle solver, you might find it annoying and frustrating. The factory rubber hood pad is held in place by a small plastic tab on the fender piece. I'm at a loss for words. I pressed them on after removing them from their original latches. To make sure they didn't vanish, I used a small square of 3M tape. Photos will be available soon. br>br>As for the finish, if the latches are only just clear of the latch bar, the black paint will scratch off the hood latch piece's tips. You won't notice it, but if it starts to rust, you'll know. Also, because they're metal, lay them down gently on your painted fenders. br>br>In terms of performance, even at 90 mph, there is no hood flutter. Jeeps don't normally go 90 mph, and mine won't either, but it was a test, as anyone familiar with the Jeep community knows.
Make use of some hardware. To begin, let me state unequivocally that I am not a mechanic. I don't mind dismantling and reassembling some things, but when it comes to automobiles, I'm a stickler. So, if I can do it, I'm confident that you will be able to as well. br>br>Like many others, I became frustrated with the hood's "fluttering," especially on windy days. It took a long time for me to get these up and running. The weather made it difficult at first, and when I tried to remove the grill, some of the clips were brittle and snapped due to their age. Yes, I saw some YouTubers with swivel connections on their sockets, but I learned a long time ago that this is a great way to bust your knuckles. Purchase the book as a favor to yourself. So far, everything has gone smoothly because I took my time. br>br>The first thing you notice about these is their size right out of the box. The second point to consider is the strength of the material. I've got to say, they're impressive, and they look great after they've been installed. They're also easier to remove than the original, as I discovered when I forgot to replace the gasket on the first one I installed. )br>br>However, I docked a star because, despite the fact that it is a replacement kit, I did end up reusing some of the old hardware. Almost every installation guide recommended using the factory nuts, and it's easy to see why when you look at them side by side. Worse, the kit is missing a rubberized nylon piece that goes on top of the bottom latch base. Some videos didn't mention it, but there's definitely a spot for it on the new ones, and it needs to cover up the old spot that would otherwise be visible. It's inconvenient not only because it should have come with the kit, but also because the color has faded. The good news is that it's mostly hidden, so most people wouldn't notice. What if the original wasn't there? I kept thinking. I suppose you'll have to make the best of the situation and make do. br>br>I put it through its paces. Because it wasn't particularly windy today, I reserve the right to return and revise this. I did my best to simulate it by driving on the highway at a high speed of. I'm hoping it'll be quick enough (it's a Sunday, after all, and traffic was light). There was no flutter in sight! I'm sure it'll get windy here this week, so we'll have to wait and see. br>br>By the way, I can't get over how cool these are. I even took a photo of one and shared it on Instagram.
As a replacement for your current hood latches, this product comes highly recommended.
I had to pay twice as much money. The components must be disassembled before installation. It would not have been a problem if they had been put together correctly to begin with; the screws were torqued so tightly that disassembling them was impossible. I had to cut the screw in order to remove it. I couldn't get the screw out even after that. I had no choice but to make the components myself in the end. After all was said and done, I had spent as much time and money on the project as I had on the original components. br>I don't think it's a good idea to buy.
This is something I should've done earlier. In about 30 minutes, I was able to install these by myself. Follow along with the YouTube video (you'll need to pause it halfway through because it's playing at triple speed). On the fender side, it was a little tight, but not impossible. And I've had them on for about 90 days now, and I've tested them in winds up to 80 miles per hour in Oklahoma, and they're still going strong. There is no movement at all.
Let's see how it holds up over time. br>br>The product review video on Amazon did a great job of explaining how to install it. I wish the package included instructions as well. br>br>It was HARD to remove the bottom OEM fastener! To loosen the inside screw, you'll need to remove the front grill and have incredibly small hands or a long socket wrench. The rest is a piece of cake. Assuming your hands don't become a problem, the entire installation should take about 45 minutes.
Other reviews stated that you must use old hardware with this kit. This one came with everything you'd need to put it together. It was simple to set up. The screws inside the fender wells were the most difficult to remove, but they were not too difficult once the grill was removed. I used gel Loctite to keep the screws from coming loose after I adjusted the pull down. At any speed, the hood is rock solid.
The latch is too tight to open or close, making it difficult to do so. These look nice, and they appear to be well-made. They were also simple to put together. They are, however, nearly impossible to open or close once they have been installed and adjusted as much as possible. br>I would not advise anyone to try these. In terms of fit, finish, and functionality - 10 stars, but it's a clumsy design.