HOW TO: Extend your hood latch (without welding), An alternative for GT4 front end conversions Options

[Fate]

Converting your Celica to a GT4 clone? Worried that your GT4 hood doesn't close properly which could result in the destruction of your windshield, fenders, hood hinges, and the hood itself? Fear not, provided below is a "How To" for extending your hood latch (without welding, or guessing) so that you need not worry if the hood is properly shut.

Tools:
Ratchet
10mm Socket
Ratchet extension (not really)
Dremel + cutting attachment of your choosing
Punch
Hammer
Bench Vise
Properly sized bolt, 2 washers and a lock nut.

Parts:
RHD Celica GT4 hood latch
LHD Celica hood latch

Estimated Time of Completion:
15-30 minutes

Picture of RHD GT4 latch:
(Front)

(Back)


Now comparing it to the stock hood latch, it looks as if it will work perfect as is: The bolt holes match up and the safety hook itself looks the same. Unfortunately, this is not the case due to the hood latch cable itself mounting on the opposite side.


Time to start grinding; the area circled is what to focus on:







Now take your Punch and lightly tap it with a hammer to knock out the Bolt/Pin holding the latch in place.

Separated:
(Front)

(Back)


Grinding the LHD Celica hood latch:


Side by side difference: about 1" ( also proven in this thread started by nics: http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=71083 )



Now that the latch has been separated, you can now attach the GT4 latch directly to its US counterpart. Put the bolt through with a washer on each side, and then mount the lock nut as snug as possible before hindering the movement of the latch.

*I chose to drill out the hole to be a little bigger in order to fit a thicker bolt through it.

Finished Pictures:





Good luck to all and I hope this helps at least one person!

-Americo

This post has been edited by Fate: Oct 4, 2010 - 11:53 AM

[Spider77]

Nice crotch shot!
Really though, great idea!

[diegohiga]

woowwww awsome idea!!!!! im gonna start doing that right now!!!! thanks!

30 minutes after.....

alright just finished it!!! came out perfect thanks fate it was very easy! here are mi pics i used a drill instead though!

by the way... if you are going to use a drill be carefull!!! dont hold the latch with your hand while drilling, because the drill can get stuck on the latch and the latch is going to start spinning and can hurt your hand... hold it with something or put it next to a wall (like the pic) in case the latch start spinning the wall is going to hold the latch and it wont spin!





This post has been edited by diegohiga: Oct 3, 2010 - 5:52 PM

[Johnnyny]

vote for sticky!!!

[mkernz22]

STICKYY!

[KAOS]

Please sticky!! Dude you're a genius... I can't believe I never thought of this...

How stiff is the hook/latch this way however? does it still spring properly? :???:

[diegohiga]

Please sticky!! Dude you're a genius... I can't believe I never thought of this...

How stiff is the hook/latch this way however? does it still spring properly? :???:

yes just like OEM one! and i used the same spring... both springs are the same. it works 100% perfect



This post has been edited by diegohiga: Oct 5, 2010 - 8:29 PM

[Fate]

Please sticky!! Dude you're a genius... I can't believe I never thought of this...

How stiff is the hook/latch this way however? does it still spring properly? :???:

Feels exactly the same as stock! Just be sure not to over tighten and to use a lock nut (the kind with the nylon insert) just to insure it doesn't loosen over time.

[njccmd2002]

whats the difference in lenght for them?

[Fate]

Side by side difference: about 1" ( also proven in this thread started by nics: http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=71083 )