Bolt hood lock

[Jim_n_Tx]

Installed Bolt hood lock - not as simple as I thought it would be. The Bolt center grill section does not match that of my Rubicon (see attached picture). I decided not to use it and instead cut a hole in my grill-this turned out to be easy- the grill material is soft and can be cut with a knife. Picture of the cutout attached. Also, the steel pop rivets that came with the lock require a gorilla to install.

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[Jim_n_Tx]

Installed Bolt hood lock - not as simple as I thought it would be. The Bolt center grill section does not match that of my Rubicon (see attached picture). I decided not to use it and instead cut a hole in my grill-this turned out to be easy- the grill material is soft and can be cut with a knife. Picture of the cutout attached. Also, the steel pop rivets that came with the lock require a gorilla to install.

 

[RSK]

I did pretty much the same. But bought the Mopar grille camera center insert and modified it much like you did. I might go back and modify my OEM insert and get more mesh at the top, but for now looks good enough. Special thanks to Rob at Quadratec working with me on the components to make it happen.

All and all, the Bolt lock works with the gladiator and some minor modifications to the grille insert. Nice to know my hood, battery and engine components are secure.

JL/JT Bolt Lock
https://www.quadratec.com/p/bolt/hood-lock-jeep-wrangler-jl-7032303

If you get the grille insert replacement like I did, pick center insert and camera. But might want to save $32 and use your OEM insert.
https://www.quadratec.com/p/mopar/grille-inserts-gladiator-jt

Heat gun to smooth out the plastic cuts

 

[Angler3]

I used the attached template and snipped the rubber grill with a pair of good wire cutters
It was fairly simple for me. I’m just not a fan of where they placed the tab on the rubber cover. It’s tricky to remove. Also I have a sport s without the camera option.

 

[Radio Guy]

I installed a Bolt hood lock on my new Mojave today and it was super simple. I didn't have a large enough pop rivet tool so I used 1/4-20 stainless steel screws and KEP nuts with built in lock washers instead of the pop rivets. The top two screws have stainless washers over the cutouts in the top of the lock and the lower screws didn't need any washer as the screws go through two round holes.

I popped the top plastic keepers for the front grille and only had to bend the grille back a few inches to get the lock installed. Then I carefully cut out the opening with a fine hack saw blade and polished the ends of the cut plastic pieces. I also did a little different cutout that I think looks better than the templet. Looks great and works perfect and I suspect the solid 1/4" stainless hardware is stronger than the pop rivets.

 

[Radio Guy]

After my initial experience installing the Bolt hood lock I'll make some comments. I think Bolt should package this lock separately for the Gladiator owner that doesn't need the big plastic grille piece that fits other Jeep versions. It not only costs $$ to then get tossed out, it also makes the packaging much larger incurring more shipping charges. Sure Bolt would have to invest in new packaging but if the end cost without the big plastic grille piece comes in $15 or $20 cheaper, the increased sales should offset the packaging changes.

I also question the use of pop rivets in a bastard size that few mortals have the tools for. How many people here have installed this lock and had the proper tool already? I bet most people have to go out and spend more $$ on the tool adding to the total cost. In my truck the 1/4-20 hardware worked perfect and probably required less disassembly of the front grille because I didn't need room for the pop rivet tool to fit down into the grille area. I don't see any additional theft issues using screws because you have to open the hood and disconnect part of the grille to get to the screws anyway. Maybe other versions of the Jeep require pop rivets but not on the Gladiator.

On the cutout in the grille, I found installing the lock then laying the grille up against the lock allows you to make a custom cutout that can look better than using the templet. I could have, should have left two upward facing bits that come close to the rubber lock cover similar to the top bits going downward towards the rubber cover. I think that would have given it a more stock look.

 

[Uparms]

I installed it, it works. Yes they should either re-package or supply the JT owner with a grill insert. I l sent a note to their customer service about this also. No rivets, used bolts.

 

[joeym7]

Glad I stumbled across this thread....

Really, a $60K car comes with no hood lock? Who would have thought!?

I've made a lot of comments since I registered about the JT as I learned more and more about them, and just about everyone of the coments were very positive, but this shortfall falls into the "Cheezy" department.

I can get really essential stuff (LOL) like a heated steering wheel but not a hood lock on my new Mojave. Go figure!

 

[joeym7]

On a more technical note, for those with the front trail camera, does that make the instillation of the lock more complicated at all?

 

[joeym7]

Has anyone tried this option? Easier to install, but perhapes easier to defeat...That said, all one can hope is that the locks keep the "casual" theft moving on. The determind theft will defeat most security systems given (enough) time. So if a determined theft is going to break stuff to get in, perhapes better he just breaks these locks rather than crowbaring into the grill. Just one way to look at it of course.

Amazon.com: Sukemichi JL Hood Latches, Original Factory Locking Hood Latch Kit for 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler JL & Jeep Gladiator JT, 1 Pair, Black : Automotive

 

[joeym7]

On a more technical note, for those with the front trail camera, does that make the instillation of the lock more complicated at all?

Has anyone installed the Bolt hood lock on a Gladiator with a forward facing camera? How did it go?

 

[Montana_Wildcat]

Has anyone tried this option? Easier to install, but perhapes easier to defeat...That said, all one can hope is that the locks keep the "casual" theft moving on. The determind theft will defeat most security systems given (enough) time. So if a determined theft is going to break stuff to get in, perhapes better he just breaks these locks rather than crowbaring into the grill. Just one way to look at it of course.

Amazon.com: Sukemichi JL Hood Latches, Original Factory Locking Hood Latch Kit for 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler JL & Jeep Gladiator JT, 1 Pair, Black : Automotive

Tried these. They are not made well. One of the latches pulled off of the bolt and started flapping against the fender while on the interstate.

 

[MOJAVEC22]

Has anyone installed the Bolt hood lock on a Gladiator with a forward facing camera? How did it go?

I’m wondering the same

 

[Rockabillyroy]

looks like an option for folks with camera.

https://www.lasfit.com/products/las...k-for-18-22-jeep-wrangler-jl-and-gladiator-jt

 

[RSK]

Has anyone installed the Bolt hood lock on a Gladiator with a forward facing camera? How did it go?

Yes, I have a Bolt hood lock and after market zAutomotive front camera. I put the camera a notch below the lock and no issues.

Here are some pictures.

Note: Will need a zAutomotive Tazer-mini to make the camera functional with the aftermarket camera.

Anyway, everything works great!

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