Review on 🚙 Rugged Ridge 11210.17 Jeep Wrangler JK Hood Catch Kit - Textured Black (07-18) by Robert Hardin

These are really excellent bonnet latches, far superior to standard Jeep latches. Hood rattle was noticeably reduced and the appearance became rougher. I wear them on my two Rubicons and love them. Jeep's standard plastic latches also turn gray over time, so the aluminum latches solve that problem as well. Installation is not difficult but can be tedious, taking around 30-45 minutes for the average handyman. I wasn't able to install the lower latch without removing the Wrangler front grille, but I've read from others that they don't have to. (Although I can't figure out how to do it) The grid is very easy to remove, so don't try to bypass it. The Rugged Ridge guide doesn't describe how to do this, so here's a summary. The grille is held in place with just six latches at the top and a couple of snap clips at the bottom. A small screwdriver will pop out the tops slightly - be careful. The lower part of the grill is simply held in place by clips and removed with little effort. Be sure to protect the grille in front of the two front tow hooks with towels to avoid scratching the grille. Start at one bottom and with a slight tug on the base of the grill it pops out. Then remove the two turn signals (optional) and you'll have much better access to the lower cowl latch bolts - although they're still tight. No need to disconnect the light connectors if you don't want to, just tilt the grate down and out of the way. You can continue to follow the instructions and then reinstall the grate in reverse order. It just snaps into place. Hope this helps someone. I would recommend them not only for their looks but also for their excellent functionality. I really wish they were made in the USA and not overseas. ****** Update ****** After having both bars for a while, I noticed something. The silver version has noticeable water stains that are ugly and cannot be removed. It's important to understand that the silver finish is a color (like a powder coating) and not raw aluminum. Personally, I wouldn't buy silver ones after a short time because of the look. Due to mileage, mechanical issues, etc., I traded in an old black Wrangler (with silver fasteners) and bought a new black one. This time, however, I went with black bars. Looks great and doesn't have detection issues like silver clasps.