Hood Latches and Grille Blocks

[TurnpikeCruiser]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I couldn't detect any aero improvement via better fuel economy with an aero winter front. It almost has to be doing some aero good, but don't think that if you get 18, suddenly you will get 19 or more. The main thing it does is promote fast warm-up and also retains heat far better between commutes.

I'm not expecting it to really see an increase, just playing with ideas, as I've never done anything aerodynamic to a car before. So figured I'd start with something easy.

Originally Posted by bikin' Ed

On my Dakota, the hood latch has to be pulled down. I attached a piece of plastic tubing to the inside of the grille with nylon wire ties. Then attached a piece of semi rigid wire to the latch. I fed the wire thru the tube to the bottom of the grill. Make a small loop in the end of the wire and hang it between the bumper and grille. A pull on the loop does the trick.

That's a good idea. I'd have to bring mine to the side, as my latch moves horizontally, but I probably do something similar.

[PAFirefighter11]

Something else to consider if you do end up blocking both grilles would be hood pins:
http://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/hood-pins

Lots of different styles to choose from. This way you can disconnect your current setup and just use the hood pins to hold the hood down. No need to worry about the lever in the grille. Just a thought!

[Superfuelgero]

I just left an opening. You can always cover with tape, (or if metal) magnetic strips.

My opening is just a hand hold since its a 1 piece front end, but the concept is the same.

[TurnpikeCruiser]

Originally Posted by PAFirefighter11

Something else to consider if you do end up blocking both grilles would be hood pins:
http://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/hood-pins

Lots of different styles to choose from. This way you can disconnect your current setup and just use the hood pins to hold the hood down. No need to worry about the lever in the grille. Just a thought!

Woah, reviving an old thread!

Interesting thought on hood pins, although the truck probably won't be ecomodded anymore.

[Xist]

Xntrx, that is beautiful! Where did you get it?

How much drag would hood pins create?

[Superfuelgero]

Used off craigslist. The pins aren't pins, they're bungies since I'm still tweaking the fit. Drag would be negligible since they're narrow and just aft the leading edge.
The grill block is just sheet aluminum pop riveted on. The holes are; a hand hold slot and two dimple die holes in front of the radiator (added over the slot wasn't enough summer cooling).