Review on 🔒 Hydraker 1 Pair Black Hood Latch Hoods Catch Lock | Fit Jeep Wrangler JK & JKU (2007-2018) by Tony Doan

Appearance and quality are second to none when compared to factory rubber closures. My factory latches literally flew out when a reverse-bound dump truck caused a highway-speed gust of wind. Without the safety latch closing the hood, I could die! I decided to upgrade to something that wouldn't rot in the Florida heat and humidity. Other people have rated them as fitting my Jeep Wrangler X (2009) model. On the plus side they look and work fantastic and I'm pretty sure they won't fall apart like the originals. They're also snug enough to keep the hood from wobbling and rattling in headwinds at highway speeds. The hardest part was installing and removing the bottom bracket. The top mount literally unscrewed a bunch of nuts... boom... done. The bottom bracket was a combination of a ratchet with a bushing and several lengths of universal joints to mount the bushing onto a nut in the wing pocket. There is literally no straight line to connect unless you disassemble most of the grill assembly. I weaved socket extensions around several pieces and tight gaps, finally installing the socket on the lugs and replacing the bottom brackets. If you can figure one out (I did the driver's side first) then you have an idea for a plan to do the other side. I've noticed "helpful videos" showing the various brackets being removed and installed AFTER the person filming the video partially removed the grill. I didn't have to do that, but I also had to really experiment with a combination of socket extensions until I could not only get at the nuts in the wheel well, but could actually articulate the ratchet to loosen/tighten the nuts. Knowing how to keep your fingers on the joint between the bushing and the nut will help keep the bushing on the nut while trying to move it. Due to the many crazy angles of socket extensions, the socket has a tendency to separate from the nut. You are also limited to a few clicks of the ratchet at a time. Large cracks are not possible because everything is very dense. Be patient and go slowly and purposefully. The payout is great! The suspenders look great and work. If you're impatient or short on time, you're in for a tough day. They fit perfectly into the factory holes and are a direct drop-in replacement for the 2009 Wrangler's pathetic rubber braces. Good luck!