Hidden hood latches for carbon hoods?

[tekdeus]

I'm trying to think of a way to secure the front corners of my carbon fiber hood from underneath, instead of using hood pins. There is lots of room since I relocated the battery and the hood has a strong fiberglass frame that I can drill/bolt onto. I'm using the stock hood latch now, but I need a way to keep the corners from lifting at high speeds.

I thought of using a front chain derailleur from a bicycle, since it is spring activated, and would automatically pop open if the cable broke. But these things are not easy to make work in this application. I'm wondering if there is some other kind of cable operated latch or sliding pin that someone might suggest that could do what I want. The only other thing I can think of with a cable operated part is a lawnmower.

My goal is to be able to shut the hood, and then maybe reach in through the front bumper to turn a lever or 2 which engages the extra pins or latches that prevent the hood from lifting up on the freeway.

Cheers - Brad

 

[RazoE]

maybe if you can attach a few bolts to the bottom of the hood, and sort of have a pivoting lever, shaped like a baton that catches the bolt..?

here's a baller-ass MS paint drawing..

 

[IJ.]

As weird as it sounds "seat belts"

Mount the reel down low and when you pop the hood they'll feed out gently but if the car is on an angle pulling G's or you get sudden lift they lock.

A nice small quick release on the underside of the hood so you can disconnect them to work on the car would be good.

 

[toy fanatic78]

Maybe a modified tailgate handle relocater for a pickup truck(flips the handle inside the gate)have the handle back behind the bumper and just a couple tabs on the hood and corresponding ones on the core support w/a rod that slides through them.

 

[upgradedsupra]

Brad, why not put on your undercover.

Duane

 

[toy fanatic78]

When in doubt,use duct tape.:sarcasm::biglaugh:

 

[tekdeus]

Brad, why not put on your undercover.
Duane

My car never came with one. Would it make that much of a difference?

The seat belts sound pretty trick, but my hood corner slowly lifts as the increasing airspeed pulls it up. Not sure if it would work to keep it locked down all the time..

 

[upgradedsupra]

My car never came with one. Would it make that much of a difference?

The seat belts sound pretty trick, but my hood corner slowly lifts as the increasing airspeed pulls it up. Not sure if it would work to keep it locked down all the time..

Yes, it would make a difference. Put one on first then go from there.

 

[toy fanatic78]

This is kinda what I was thinking.

 

[Frankenstien]

Brad, why not put on your undercover.

Duane

This.

If you don't have one, why not make a nice aluminum one the bolts in nicely(I think it would suit the car better than the stock plastic unit). A friend of mine is making an aluminum one for his Jetta and they do make a big difference in airflow. In this case, prevent the air from being forced up into the engine bay and pushing your hood up at higher speeds. It also has the added benefits of keeping your engine bay cleaner and adding a "bling" effect

If it still lifts after that, then I would go with something like the aforementioned latch/bolt system in the MS paint drawing only operated from inside the car by means of running a cable. You could probably pick up one of an appropriate length from a lawnmower place or Lordco as I can see either place carrying it in various length or in bulk even. You might even be able to pick up an actual hood latch cable from an autowrecker to suit the purpose.

 

[rodel]

Bicycle derailleur, seat belt, lawn mower parts, duct tape, baton shaped thingy-magigs, pickup truck parts....::wtf:



How about just using aerocatch? http://www.aerocatch.com/. Paint it the same color as your hood.

If it's good enough for these cars, it's ought to be good enough for the MKIII

 

[GuNDeZZZ]

How about just using aerocatch? http://www.aerocatch.com/. Paint it the same color as your hood.

+1 This and the undercover= pimpin :naughty:

 

[T701jz]

I have some spring loaded Snap-on latch. I think I got them from Mcmaster or Grainger catalogs. It's a push and pull action latch.

P#
C3-805-P

 

[7Mboost]

How about just using aerocatch? http://www.aerocatch.com/. Paint it the same color as your hood.

I hate hood pins but I love these.

Duane, does Toyota still sell underbody covers?

 

[tekdeus]

I have some spring loaded Snap-on latch. I think I got them from Mcmaster or Grainger catalogs. It's a push and pull action latch.

P#
C3-805-P

Hey thanks for pointing me to that website, I think I found a viable solution! Yeehaw!
McMaster cable latch:

 

[upgradedsupra]

I hate hood pins but I love these.

Duane, does Toyota still sell underbody covers?

Yes they do. They are (IIRC) around $150.

 

[GuNDeZZZ]

Yes they do. They are (IIRC) around $150.

Sorry to go off topic, but would you happen to know if they still carry the targa seals, someone told me they dont...

 

[bryanintexas]

Yep, targa seals are no problem. PM me if you need more info.

 

[NashMan]

aero catch for the win they work flaw less and look sweet to boot

 

[Poodles]

Putting holes on the outside of a very rare hood and potentially damaging his paint = FTL

I agree with wanting something hidden