This should be a no-brainer, but has anyone found an easy way to remove the plastic pins that hold on the rubber connectors on the OEM hood latches?

I would only recommend going this route as a last resort.

I took a box cutter and sliced the hood latches rubber part completely off to bare the plastic pins (which aren't just all plastic theres a metal pin in there too) then as carefully as I could I clipped em with bolt cutters. It was a PITA but I got it done w/o scratching up my paint.

Let me know how it goes for you.

Thanks. I did consider simply cutting the rubber...the instructions say to unbolt the bottom of the latch from the fender, then use a couple of vise grips to grab each end of the pin and turn until it breaks...I was hoping someone had stumbled on a clever, quick and easy (non-PITA) way to get that pin off without removing the latch from the fender...I'm just too lazy in my advanced years...

I just grabbed the pin with pliers and ripped it apart.

I don't know - maybe it was only an 07 issue, but my hood doesn't budge with the factory latches!

I'm sure you saw how hard it was to even get to the bolts to the latches??

So i just did the last resort thing....I was in a rush to get all my new stuff on b4 I gotted shipped back to Iraq. R&R is not a good time to be installing stuff on my JK

The problem for me on that was gouging up the latches....yea call me a perfectionist, I call it OCD

I'm real happy for you. This doesn't answer the question.


It's more than 'an 07 issue'. Chrysler was providing replacement latches for 09s since it is an issue.

After struggling to unbolt them from the fender for a while, I gave up, grabbed my Dremel with a little cutting wheel and just buzzed them off, while thinking to myself "Duh, why didn't I think of this 1/2 hour ago? "

They work great by the way.

I just grabbed the end of the pin with vise grips and popped it apart.

I didn't scratch mine up at all, it pops right apart.

I appreciate all the ideas, thanks!

Here goes nothin...

vice grips worked for me. here is a write up i found.

http://news.webshots.com/album/563304735JKiAFD

Two pair of vise grips twisted in opposite directions is what I used (in Daystar instructions I recieved) came right apart.

I guess I was just a weird case, there was no way to grab ahold of those pins with vice grips. The tips of the pins were rounded and the edges were flush w/ the latch I just didn't think I could get em w/ the VGs....imo

but the way I went just really isn't much of a PITA...just took a couple seconds longer

did you get them on ok?

I did it, on both sides.Just enough to get a hold of .Just worked for me.

Thanks, yes I did. The two vice grip plan twisting in opposite directions worked like a charm. It was a lot easier than I thought. Those plastic pins broke with not too much effort.

I got one latch put together but had to leave in the middle of the project. I will do the driver's side tomorrow.

Again, thanks for the help and the link. I looked at those photos on the write-up, was wondering what they were doing with the power drill in one of the shots...?

a good pair of dykes worked for me...and no, I don't mean two fat lesbians.

Ditto on the dykes; just slide the edges under the tab and pry up. I can even re-use the fasteners afterwards.

I just twisted mine with them on the vehicle, it does not take much. No scrathes, although they would just blend in! Those puppies are a snug fit the first time, so yes, when you get them on you did it correct! I thought to myself at first, these must be too short, but they went on.

kidding, im glad it worked out that much better for you guys SHEEEESHHHHHHHHH

oh well I'm used to getting the short end of the stick

Used the Dremel....

thats funny... I was just reading about these; having recently past an 18-wheeler headon at HWY speeds... I thought my hood was coming through the windshield for sure. well now that it didn't I am happy to see they worked out for so many jeepers... im investing in a set.

I threw a set on today... Did one side by the book and the other without removing any part of the latches from the Jeep. Definitely easier to leave them on and switch them that way.