Author Topic: Mopar Hood Safety Latches  (Read 3676 times)

Offline TheBilletHouse

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Mopar Hood Safety Latches
« on: June 04, 2014 - 10:17:28 AM »
Hello again Mopar Geniuses!

Something that should have been relatively easy has become quite complicated.  and I need you guys again.

I have had requests for a billet hood safety latch for some time.  I did a little research and it looks like all the mopars from around 1970-1971 up to ?? have the same safety catch with the exception of the welded on handle.  So I decided to make a base version and then design the handles separately.  That is where the confusion really came in.  There are a million different handles!!

I would like to start with the Cuda's and the Challengers and then work my way into the other Mopars.  Can you guys help me identify which ones go with Cuda's and Challengers and what year?
Here are some pics of what I designed. 
Ted Brock




Offline TheBilletHouse

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Re: Mopar Hood Safety Latches
« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2014 - 10:28:24 AM »
It looks like the first Type 1 as I am calling it fits the 70 Challenger only
and the type 2 fits 71-74 Challengers
Is that right?
Ted Brock

Offline Sonnythebull

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Re: Mopar Hood Safety Latches
« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2014 - 10:30:19 AM »
 nice and I want one

Offline burdar

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Re: Mopar Hood Safety Latches
« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2014 - 10:37:39 AM »
That's a nice looking piece!

Type 2 was used from 71-74 I believe.  72-74 definitely has that style.  71 also...I think.

My 68 Dart uses the type 1 style.  The handle looks a little shorter though.


« Last Edit: June 04, 2014 - 10:39:24 AM by burdar »

Offline TheBilletHouse

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Re: Mopar Hood Safety Latches
« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2014 - 10:41:14 AM »
Here are what I believe are the two types used for the Cuda's.

Type 3 maybe 70 and 71?
Type 4 72-74?  (what gave it away?)
Ted Brock

Offline HP_Cuda

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Re: Mopar Hood Safety Latches
« Reply #5 on: June 04, 2014 - 12:10:58 PM »

Yep the fabled meathook.
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Offline dutch

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Re: Mopar Hood Safety Latches
« Reply #6 on: June 04, 2014 - 12:31:08 PM »
Yep the fabled meathook.

yup.... make a rubber one and I`ll be a customer  :bigsmile:
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Offline TheBilletHouse

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Re: Mopar Hood Safety Latches
« Reply #7 on: June 04, 2014 - 01:07:38 PM »
yup.... make a rubber one and I`ll be a customer  :bigsmile:
Is that because it scratches the paint when the hood closes?
I am also working on a strike plate for the latch brace and a rubber bumper for the spring.
Ted Brock

Offline burdar

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Re: Mopar Hood Safety Latches
« Reply #8 on: June 04, 2014 - 01:41:48 PM »
That's so when your head hits it, it won't hurt as bad.

The bumper for the spring is a good idea.  Just make sure it's compact and doesn't look bulky.  I just put a short section of vacuum hose on the end of the spring.  It is almost invisible and is functional.

Offline Aracer

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Re: Mopar Hood Safety Latches
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2014 - 03:22:53 AM »
I panted that latch silver, and wrap a towel on it when the hood goes up!

Offline MTS-Challenger

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Re: Mopar Hood Safety Latches
« Reply #10 on: July 02, 2014 - 03:48:35 AM »
Maybe adding a Teflon strip to the front of the hook to keep from metal to metal contact (latch plate paint scratching) when closing the hood.   :thinkerg:


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Offline burdar

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Re: Mopar Hood Safety Latches
« Reply #11 on: July 02, 2014 - 08:39:03 AM »
Quote
Maybe adding a Teflon strip to the front of the hook to keep from metal to metal contact (latch plate paint scratching) when closing the hood.   :thinkerg:

A strip of some sort is a good idea.  However, it would look better if it was attached to the latch plate instead of the hook.  Even a piece of vacuum hose slit down the middle and installed over the lip of the plate would work. :2cents:

Offline johns cuda shop

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Re: Mopar Hood Safety Latches
« Reply #12 on: July 02, 2014 - 12:40:37 PM »
Looking Good Ted , I will be in on the 71-74 Cuda type. To prevent scratching the inside of the hood, I used a Plastic compression spring for my hood spring http://www.advanexusa.com/plastic_springs.html
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Offline johns cuda shop

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Re: Mopar Hood Safety Latches
« Reply #13 on: July 18, 2014 - 03:00:55 PM »
Ted .I just heard the sad news that your shop burned to the ground over the weekend. Hope everyone is ok . No one will ever be able to make the quality products you made.https://www.facebook.com/TheBilletHouse
« Last Edit: July 18, 2014 - 03:03:08 PM by johns cuda shop »
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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Mopar Hood Safety Latches
« Reply #14 on: July 18, 2014 - 05:44:43 PM »
It looks like the first Type 1 as I am calling it fits the 70 Challenger only
and the type 2 fits 71-74 Challengers
Is that right?
Type 1 is definatly 70 only , 71 I am not sure on
 the lower one is 72-74 for sure

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t