Is my hood latch wonky or am I doing something wrong?

[Professor_Chaos]

Honestly... this is starting to make sense to me now. Now for Wild speculation..... my favorite.

Mishap during your latch install. Either just within or juuuuuusssssttttt out of spec.

Better or worse, It got approved. Flash forward to the wedding, you close the hood and its just out of alignment enough to not quite get back where it was. Probably got finagled to look correct in the first place.

Dealership looks at it. Realizes its either a new hood or filling holes, paint, bodywork, etc.... oh my.. brand new jeep!... notices it still latches... seems secure... attempts "a jeep thing" defense. Hopes you forget about it.

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[Gvsukids]

These are mine, and they work without a hitch.

 

[AZJT]

The manufacturer uses low-grade stainless steel on those, and they rust.

Kevin

I had seen others post about the possibility of this, so I kept my OEM latches just in case. To date, though, I have not had any rusting, and believe me - I run my JT through the wash VERY regularly and have no rust issues. YMMV.

 

[ttn333]

Now I'm afraid to look at my latch. Lol. At least I'm comforted knowing it's just a jeep thing. /s.

 

[Blue Ridge]

These are mine, and they work without a hitch.

I think we had the same latch technician doing the install.

 

[Kevin_D]

I had seen others post about the possibility of this, so I kept my OEM latches just in case. To date, though, I have not had any rusting, and believe me - I run my JT through the wash VERY regularly and have no rust issues. YMMV.

When did you buy your latches?
The manufacturer told me they planned on upgrading the stainless they used, but not until the current stock was depleted. That was in December.

Kevin

 

[johnparjr]

I wouldn't have took that answer from the dealer as it is obviously wrong

 

[AZJT]

When did you buy your latches?
The manufacturer told me they planned on upgrading the stainless they used, but not until the current stock was depleted. That was in December.

Kevin

Feb. 2021 - you asked about that same issue then, too, in the "What did you do TO your Gladiator today" thread.

 

[Kevin_D]

Feb. 2021 - you asked about that same issue then, too, in the "What did you do TO your Gladiator today" thread.

Oh, probably.
So the one’s you got in February look to be holding up? They may have started using the better stainless by then.
Either way, it’s good that you’re happy with them.

Kevin

 

[Anderson]

I wonder if the 80th Anniversary latches are available for individual purchase? I’d love to have that Willyz on my latches.

 

[CMac]

I think we had the same latch technician doing the install.

Who's that: Stevie Wonder or Ray Charles? This part install is so bad.

 

[Mr._Bill]

I bought a set of these to put on mine.
Part # 82215710

 

[Anderson]

Woah! That’s exactly what I was looking for! You even gave the part number.

I bought a set of these to put on mine.
Part # 82215710

 

[AZJT]

Oh, probably.
So the one’s you got in February look to be holding up? They may have started using the better stainless by then.
Either way, it’s good that you’re happy with them.

Kevin

Yessir - they are holding up so far; no rust or other issues detected thus far. ?

 

[Blue Ridge]

Just thought I’d update. Replaced them with Rugged Ridge aftermarket latches.

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