I was kinda surprised to learn that jeep doesn't have a hood lock like you have on a regular kind - the one you release from inside the car, and then just press a latch. I guess it's one of jeep's idiosyncracies, but this one feels a bit over the top. Just having latches on the hood doesn't seem like a bright idea - anybody could pop the hood up and pillage whatever they want, or disconnect the battery and alarm and just steel it.
Do you guys install hood locks, and if so, which ones?
19 years as a State Trooper. Never worked a theft of any kind related to a Wrangler. CAT is probably biggest fear, and accessible under the vehicle IIRC. On the other hand, the times I've wanted immediate access to the engine, many many.... CG
Nobody's ever gotten under the hood of my YJ in the 16 years I've owned it. Cars don't have a hood lock either as you know just a latch protected by nothing but glass. Unless you live in an area where they'll steel your wheels right out from under you at a red light (this is meant as an obvious exaggeration) I wouldn't be to worried about it. If you would sleep better at night having one then go for it.
I think it depends on whether you live in a high auto theft area. Some people don't even need wheel locks. But, if you live in an area, like San Diego, or New York, where theft of vehicles is high, then I would spend as much money modifiying my Jeep as upgrading my vehicle security. It is better to be safe than sorry.
I bought a Tuffy hood lock for my JK as I had for my YJ years ago. Even though I live in a super safe area I like to travel to big cities and state parks for hiking/biking so I have planned accordingly. I'm also inclined to have a hidden kill switch for when I go topless in such areas. Never hurts to be prepared; just a few bucks.
if this ones directed at me I do think they would smash the window. Just last week my wife's co leader at a youth event forgot something in the school and left her purse on the seat. By the time she got back her window was smashed and her purse was gone. I wouldn't get a hood lock but if I did I would get an underhood lock, the ones that replace the hold down lathches look like they could be popped with a decent crowbar. If not the latch then pulling the bolts right through the sheet metal. It's peace of mind. Kind of like wheel locks. There is nothing secure about a wheel lock but if it lets you relax as you leave your jeep unattended I would absolutely get one. You shouldn't be stressed every time you walk away from your jeep.
Several months ago I did the usual research trying to find a hood lock and ended up with the factory keyed hood lock. No extra keys and provides good protection.
I installed Mopar. Worked great. Switched dealers and new dealer screwed it up. Very much a bummer. Of course, it's my problem because I installed it regardless of how many times another dealer used it successfully. Pay a little extra and have the dealer install it. Worth it.
I went with the Rampage Locking Hood Latches mainly because I have a Metalcrafters grille insert and didn't want to have to cut it to install the Mopar hood lock.
I have the Hop-Stopper from Off Road Onlyhttps://www.quadratec.com/products/13103_1020.htm
I originally got it to stop hood flutter however since it sits flush and you can't see it, it doubles as a lock....no one knows its there so they don't know why the hood doesn't open.
Got Tuffy Hood Lock very easy to install hardest part was getting grill off. Biggest thing junkie thieves steal are spare tires off of the JKs. Got two locks on mine.
I was thinking about the mopar lock. How hard is it to get the keys to match? Is it DIY or dealer?
My 2 YJ's didn't need anything close to this but we lived in a town were locking your house or pulling your keys out of the ignition was kind of unheard of. Now living in a big city I'm a little over protective of the jeep.
I don't live in a high crime area but I still wanted my hood to lock. I got the Mopar hood lock because I like how it's keyed to my ignition key. I like carrying less keys. Granted you need a heavy duty rivet gun ($20 at Harbor Freight), but the install is easy and takes like 5 minutes.
IMHO, they are a waste, simply because even if you have a hoodlock, you can simply undo the hood hinge bolts, and peel the hood backwards. Same principle as security nuts for a 50" lightbar...you can just undo the lightbar mounts and walk away with the whole thing. Just my .02
I installed the Mopar hood lock last week. Very easy to do and to key to your ignition key. Harbor Frieght has the rivet tool for $20. No way I would pay a dealer to do it - it's the easiest DIY I have seen. As to whether you need it or not...I think it depends where you live and how much peace of mind it gives you. Personally my JKU spends time overnight at train stations and those are not the The most secure environments. I like knowing that I'm not coming back to a missing battery. It's the other reason why I keep my hard top on. Is any security measure defeatable? Sure - but I figure putting some hurdles in place that take some time and effort to get into at least removes some of the allure of a quick and less obvious theft. Just my 2 cents. Everyone has a different opinion.
Got Mopar hood lock keyed to my ignition key as well as Mopar ignition keyed gas cap. No extra keys. All secured. Tuffy underseat sliding gun drawers. Basic safety. Nothing stops the professional thief.
If not having your hood secured stresses you out at night then to be honest a hood lock won't help you. You need to adjust your frame of mind. I used to worry about my car and stuff getting stolen and had car alarms and all that. At the end of the day if a thief wants something bad enough he will get it.
As I've gotten older I've realized that the best policy is to change your thinking. You have insurance on your Jeep. If something gets stolen deal with it then and let your insurance take care of you. Spend the rest of your time enjoying the Jeep and other things in your life and less time stressing over something that might not ever happen. I've left my Jeep topless and doorless more times than I can remember. With that said, don't leave things in plain sight to be swiped.
I've read all these threads before. There are definitely two ways of thinking here:
1. There are those that say you shouldn't bother with hood locks, wheel locks, door locks... hell, don't even bother with locking the doors because if they want it bad enough they are going to steal it and will cause more damage to your vehicle in the process with all these preventative measures in place.
2. There are those that want to deter theft by using these devices. If your Jeep is parked in a public place, a thief doesn't want to draw attention and may only have a few minutes. Theft deterrent will slow down the thief and he might just move on to the next less secure vehicle. Thieves can break into our homes by just busting a window, but most of us lock the doors anyway, right?
Locks will not stop a determined thief but I'm sure not going to make things easy for them. Just like I am not going to leave my doors unlocked when I leave my house.
If you want a hood lock, get it. Don't let anyone sway you from your decision. It's your Jeep, your moolah.
Now...I've owned many Jeeps...I mean real Jeeps...lol...and know many other Jeep owners and I can honestly say I've never even heard of someone having anything stolen from under the hood.
+1 on the Tuffy lock. Like all Tuffy stuff, it works great. I keep the/a key with a locking gas cap key (oh no, another thread!) on a ring inside the cab. I also put a piece of gorilla-duct-tape over the lockface to keep moisture out. It is just a deterrent, but i think its well worth it.
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