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Hood Safety Latch Release

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by TBoliv, May 16, 2021.

  1. May 16, 2021 at 8:43 PM
    #1
    TBoliv

    TBoliv [OP] New Member

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    Soooo, I went out to my new-to-me Tundra the other morning with the intention of swapping my faded headlights with a new set I ordered from 1A Auto. Reached under the dash, pulled the hood release and as expected it popped. Walked around to the front, reached under and pressed the safety release only to find that it wasn't working!

    20 minutes of searching the internet, looking through the grill, searching some more, back and forth left me frustrated. Lots of broken cables and whatnot, not many helpful sources for my particular problem.

    Finally, going back to the truck once more and looking again, I finally figured out how to release the safety latch from the outside. So I thought I'd post this with a few pictures incase someone else has a similar issue, maybe I can help alleviate their frustration.

    So, to the point. If your hood pops, but the safety latch won't disengage, fear not! The solution is quite easy. Just right of center, if you peek through your grill, you should see a vertical piece of metal. From this angle it's quite thin, so it might be missed the first time you look, but it's there. Reach in between the grill slats and hook that vertical piece with your preferred hook and pull instrument (I used a wire coat hanger I had cut thinking I was going fishing deeper under the hood). Pull it straight out towards you.

    Once I had my hood open I was able to see that the bar that actuates the safety release was not attached any longer, and didn't seem to want to stay attached once I reconnected it. So, I've zip tie later and my hood latch is again working as intended.

    Thank you for indulging me in this. I know it may be intuitive to some, but I was having a minor panic attack and hopefully can save someone else the same

    20210513_083751.jpg
    20210513_083846.jpg
    20210513_083913.jpg
     
  2. May 16, 2021 at 9:19 PM
    #2
    SouthPaw

    SouthPaw The headlight guy

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    Do you have the black handle that attaches to the bottom of that rod? When I replaced my grille, my grab handle broke. You can actually grab the bottom of that rod, that sits towards the bottom of the grill and push it towards the top of the hood to open it. Literally put your fingers on the ‘L’ part of the bottom of the rod and push it straight up towards the hood. Pulling it up, down, forward or backwards won’t work, has to be straight up. I used an o-ring pick to slide through the grill and pull that metal piece like you did before I figured out you can just push the rod up. You may be missing this part that attaches to the bottom of the rod. I just replaced mine this weekend.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    BubbaW likes this.
  3. May 16, 2021 at 10:36 PM
    #3
    TBoliv

    TBoliv [OP] New Member

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    Yup, as one of the pictures shows, the rod had come loose from the top where it manipulates the hook. Ended up zip tieing it in place for now.
     
  4. May 17, 2021 at 3:49 AM
    #4
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    This is what I did 3 years ago. Used a HD Zip Tie to hold her in place. Working nicely still!
     
  5. May 17, 2021 at 3:50 AM
    #5
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Hand Protectors
  6. May 17, 2021 at 8:20 AM
    #6
    TBoliv

    TBoliv [OP] New Member

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    That's pretty close to what I did!
     
  7. May 17, 2021 at 4:28 PM
    #7
    SouthPaw

    SouthPaw The headlight guy

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    tvpierce likes this.
  8. May 17, 2021 at 4:50 PM
    #8
    TBoliv

    TBoliv [OP] New Member

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    Ooohhhh....good call! One of those clips even vaguely resembles the one that is the problem for me. Many thanks!


    I just went out to look at something under the hood and when I pulled the lever under the dash, i felt the cable engage, but the hood didn't pop. Went out, pushed down to try and reset it again, and on the second try it did unlatch, but it didn't pop up. I had to go around and lift up, then disengage the safety (which is still holding for now, thankfully!) So, I went ahead and ordered a new hood latch to replace this one that's kinda ganky, kinda dirty, a little rusted. So I just ordered a new one and will be swapping it later this week.
     
    SouthPaw[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Jun 21, 2021 at 5:15 AM
    #9
    Billy I

    Billy I AKA Storm Shadow

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    Sort of on this topic but a little variation. So I picked up a used RW grille, factory painted white, and installed yesterday. For some reason I thought that I should remove the screw holding the Hood Safety latch to the hood (I did not need to) and it snapped off IN THE HOOD. So I used my bolt extractor kit and truly made a mess of the area without being able to remove the screw. QUESTION: Can I use a self-tapping screw to fasten the hood latch to the hood knowing that I will not need to take it off again? Thanks in advance and sorry so wordy.
     
  10. Jun 21, 2021 at 5:57 AM
    #10
    N84434

    N84434 In the Frozen Tundra

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    You can most certainly drill a smaller hole and then tap it and use an OD washer under the head of the new bolt to displace the load. Put tape around the bit at a point where you know it won't drill through the hood skin. Somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 inch. 3/8ths? No need to add a new vent to the hood...

    use a center punch to make sure you drill down the center of the existing broken bolt. Make sure to report back with an outcome.
     
  11. May 31, 2022 at 7:45 PM
    #11
    somebody

    somebody New Member

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    Just a quick Thank You for taking your time to post this info. I had a similar problem with the hood opening rod getting loose from the safety latch, and I've spent an hour struggling with this and pulling & pushing in wrong places. After finding your post it took me 10 seconds to open the hood after pulling on the right latch with a wire coat hanger.
     
  12. Jul 19, 2023 at 7:13 AM
    #12
    tan03sr5

    tan03sr5 New Member

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    New lights,minor changes
    Has anybody made a makeshift rod for the hood latch release,I have not been able to find a decently priced replacement one and my old one is long gone.
     
  13. Jul 19, 2023 at 6:21 PM
    #13
    bfunke

    bfunke Tundra Curmudgeon

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    The clips from Dorman are part #75450
     
    FirstGenVol likes this.
  14. Jul 20, 2023 at 2:00 AM
    #14
    w666

    w666 D. None of the above

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    The rod comes with the latch as an assembly.

    upload_2023-7-20_4-59-0.png
     
    FirstGenVol likes this.
  15. Jul 20, 2023 at 11:17 AM
    #15
    tan03sr5

    tan03sr5 New Member

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    Yeah but 40 bucks is a lot for just a metal rod,I’m sure i can make something work just wanted to know if anybody else has thanks for helping though
     
  16. Jul 20, 2023 at 12:21 PM
    #16
    BubbaW

    BubbaW Been Real

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    Haven't seen anyone posting about making one but a few have posted getting one from junk yard. If you're near one or Pik-A-Part place, anything from 03-06 Tundra will fit.
     
  17. Jan 31, 2024 at 12:08 PM
    #17
    mbro

    mbro New Member

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  18. Feb 1, 2024 at 7:18 AM
    #18
    kentuckyMarksman

    kentuckyMarksman New Member

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    The day I bought my truck the clip for opening the hood snapped... The zip tie trick works for me.
     

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