Review of Lasfit's new Anti-Theft Hood Lock System (version 2.0)

[billfraley]

Probably using the clutch access through the firewall… for the cable release.

This is probably the exact reason they say it doesn't work with the manual. I suspect you could use this with a manual transmission, but you would need to create an alternate route for the air lines and release cable.

I also think they may have chosen to use an air-lock system so that there are no power requirements under the hood.

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[ShadowsPapa]

I also think they may have chosen to use an air-lock system so that there are no power requirements under the hood.

That's no reason - you need to run the AIR LINE out there, you could just as easily run 16 or 18 gauge wire out there to operate a door lock motor to move that back and forth.
If you can route an air line, you can route a wire - and there'd be no power out there unless you locked or unlocked it. Otherwise the wires would be dead.

There's more than one place to route wires through the firewalls - I had to route some heavy cable from the cab out to the left side of the engine bay for my snow plow and there's at least two possible paths to do so. (one a bit easier than the other)

This bundle has several wires - the lock maker could have run power for door lock motors out in less space than this snow plow harness takes (the lower hole could be used for the lock - I chose to use the higher, easier hole to reach from the engine bay)->

 

[billfraley]

That's no reason - you need to run the AIR LINE out there, you could just as easily run 16 or 18 gauge wire out there to operate a door lock motor to move that back and forth.
If you can route an air line, you can route a wire - and there'd be no power out there unless you locked or unlocked it. Otherwise the wires would be dead.

There's more than one place to route wires through the firewalls - I had to route some heavy cable from the cab out to the left side of the engine bay for my snow plow and there's at least two possible paths to do so. (one a bit easier than the other)

This bundle has several wires - the lock maker could have run power for door lock motors out in less space than this snow plow harness takes (the lower hole could be used for the lock - I chose to use the higher, easier hole to reach from the engine bay)->

I don't think it has to do with running the line through the firewall, more about durability, especially when wheeling or subjecting a Jeep to Jeep things. lol. It is just my speculation as to why they chose this route.

That lower hole is a real pain to get to from inside the cabin. I was going to use it for my amp wiring but didn't want to deal with the effort of reaching it and pulling it through. I am too old and lazy I guess.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I don't think it has to do with running the line through the firewall, more about durability, especially when wheeling or subjecting a Jeep to Jeep things. lol. It is just my speculation as to why they chose this route.

There's a lot going through the firewall, pretty much no flex there. Durability - pure speculation.
If a wire is going to jiggle, so will an air line- have you ever seen the air lines for air shocks and air suspension crack? They can/do, no different than a well secured wire.
Jeep runs wires, after-market switches run wires, tail cams run wires, people run wires through grommets in that firewall all the time. It's one of the most secure parts of a Jeep. Secure the wire close to the hole and it's going to last longer than either of us live. Think of the 40 year old Jeeps out there with JC Whitney lights sitting on bars on the roof or bumper, wired in before half the forum members here were born. Those Jeeps vibrate, shake, take some real abuse.
Naw, I'm waiting for a lock system that's electric, @#$% the air system. That's overly complex, IMO, and more prone to issues - like if the pump stops working...........
Look at the Eagles and Jeeps made with vacuum operated FAD and transfer case - people bitch about those all the time. Can't see air operated hood locks being any different.
Door locks, tail gate locks - electric. And before the JT, extremely reliable. I've got 40 year old power locks on my 82 Eagle - work perfectly. But the vacuum operated 4x4 shifting system - I had to over-haul.

It's one reason I looked at this with interest, but decided not for me - the air system.
Make it electric, I'll look closer.

 

[dcmdon]

Someone else said this is another thread on a different topic - THIS is the type of review or discussion on an item that is really helpful.
This is the sort I'd go with if I wanted a locking hood. You can't see it and it leaves your stock Jeep looking hood latches alone.

I would have one question for the company, though - why not use lock motors like in doors? Or a solenoid? (double acting)
Door locks are usually operated by small reversing DC motors. Quiet, quick. Would seem easier than a pump and hose.

Is the hose hidden and/or shielded?

I thought the same thing. My guess is corrosion.

My other question is that if you've put a cable in as a back up opener, why not just use a cable as a locker also and eliminate the power setup. Then you end up with what most cars have, an interior manual hood release. Simple and reliable.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Then you end up with what most cars have, an interior manual hood release. Simple and reliable.

With one caveat - please don't make the cable handle like those of the Spirit, Concord or Eagle.
3/4 of them are broken today. Cable = fine. Handle != fine.
I think the cable idea is a decent idea, and for those Jeepers who want a "lock" when parked out somewhere, but not the inconvenience of having to open the door to unlock the hood every time, make it so you can pull the handle and lock it out. That way when messing around in the sticks or working on it at home, it won't lock. Release the handle, it locks.

 

[BourbonRunner]

My other question is that if you've put a cable in as a back up opener, why not just use a cable as a locker also and eliminate the power setup. Then you end up with what most cars have, an interior manual hood release. Simple and reliable.

On the surface I agree with you and @ShadowsPapa. There's already a release latch under there, why not just hook the cable to it and be done?

That being said, I think the reason for not using a linear actuator on this device is to avoid it getting stuck in either out or in position from a lack of power/corrosion. An air actuated system doesn't have to maintain constant pressure to engage, just needs a momentary burst.

If it were to get stuck in the closed position, a cable actuated backup can release it but won't be able to counteract the constant pressure of an extended linear actuator, and could possibly damage the same by pushing the arm back in against its will.

Same time, the simplicity of a cable like on every other car in the world would make the most sense... but that doesn't eliminate the ease by which a Jeep hood can be lifted by a ne'er do well. A piece of metal blocking it entirely makes it a hell of lot more likely for the would be thief to encounter enough resistance to say to hell with it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

On the surface I agree with you and @ShadowsPapa. There's already a release latch under there, why not just hook the cable to it and be done?

That being said, I think the reason for not using a linear actuator on this device is to avoid it getting stuck in either out or in position from a lack of power/corrosion. An air actuated system doesn't have to maintain constant pressure to engage, just needs a momentary burst.

If it were to get stuck in the closed position, a cable actuated backup can release it but won't be able to counteract the constant pressure of an extended linear actuator, and could possibly damage the same by pushing the arm back in against its will.

Same time, the simplicity of a cable like on every other car in the world would make the most sense... but that doesn't eliminate the ease by which a Jeep hood can be lifted by a ne'er do well. A piece of metal blocking it entirely makes it a hell of lot more likely for the would be thief to encounter enough resistance to say to hell with it.

You are saying if it was electric or cable it couldn't use the same latch bar?

Electric lock motors do the same thing air is doing here - a burst of power, either up or down, in or out. Otherwise there's no power to it. It's not a solenoid, it's more of a screw driven by a motor. Been used by some fancy vehicles for years. In fact I believe those used on my little car were what AMC bought from GM (similar to Cadillac motors)

We are talking the same sort of "latch" they use but instead of air, use electric or a cable. Yes, it's been done and works fine. Some cable systems have springs to return things. No different than air since air is like a spring.

>>An air actuated system doesn't have to maintain constant pressure to engage, just needs a momentary burst.<<
Same for electric.
Electric lock motors do the same - a burst of power, either up or down, in or out. Otherwise there's no power to it. It's not a solenoid, it's more of a screw driven by a motor. Been used by some fancy vehicles for years. In fact I believe those used on my little car were what AMC bought from GM (similar to Cadillac motors)

>> Same time, the simplicity of a cable like on every other car in the world would make the most sense... but that doesn't eliminate the ease by which a Jeep hood can be lifted by a ne'er do well. A piece of metal blocking it entirely makes it a hell of lot more likely for the would be thief to encounter enough resistance to say to hell with it. <<
Ya lost me because a cable pulling back a steel latch bar would be no different than what they are doing.
Take the cable releases on any car - how is that weak compared to these? Been used on other Jeeps with success.

I'm talking using a bar but instead of air, use electric. People are over-complicating it suggesting it wouldn't be the same or as strong? Why not if you simply replace the air with electric?
And why wouldn't it be the same and exactly as secure if you use a cable instead of air? Why not?
If air can do it, electric can do it.
And face it - corrosion? Not a player. Your headlights, fog lights, cooling fans, transfer case, transmission, lockers, sway bar, FAD and more are electric - no one griping that they should use air for those.


So again, why air?
Why not electric to power the exact same mechanism?
Or why not the exactly same latch mechanism using a cable?

I have yet to see a valid argument as to why air is superior over electric when every other thing on these trucks is electric. Including the air compressors people mount under the hoods.

 

[BourbonRunner]

I can see your points on this.

From the video and pics, this plate on top of the cowl has an integrated bar that slides across the factory latch (the "hook") to prevent it from releasing.

Way I see it, linear actuators wouldn't work. And yes, they've been used for years for latching but there's no easy way to easily mechanically release this in its location in the event of a failure, power, corrosion or otherwise without compromising the security the device provides.

IE: Say it gets stuck closed (latched)-- how do you release it without doing damage to the actuator/gearing? Maybe find something like a garage door track release that pulls the teeth off the drive?

And then, even if you can release it, how then do you pull the bar back when it is inside the cowl?

This system has two redundancies-- a button in the cabin and the mechanical link to pull the bar back.

I do agree with you- the simplest path is most likely the best and this is complicated.... but I'd suppose that if it was easily solved, and cheap enough Jeep would have figured out how to integrate this by now or at worst offer it and locking latches as an option. Clearly the lack of competition in the market means this isn't that easy to solve reliably.

Follow my train of thought?

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