The hood latch on your Jeep is something you never think of until it fails to function properly. The hood latch is an unseen item that simply keeps your hood from flying up and obstructing your view. I recently had my latch malfunction, and while in the process of replacing the latch I thought about sharing my experience with the readers.
I went to local dealers and repair shops to get advice and recommendations from authorized Jeep repair professionals. Those professionals gave me their recommendations for the best Jeep hood latches. They also shared some valuable tips and advice on buying, removing, and installing these items.
Jeep Hood Latches Comparison Table
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Top 8 Hood Latch for Jeep Wrangler Reviews
1. RT-TCZ Stainless Steel Latch Hood for Jeep JK
High-quality electroplated stainless-steel is used in the design of the Jeep hood latch from RT-TCZ. The latch has a unique shape and design that is specifically designed to help hold down and secure the hoods of the JK 2 door and the 4-door Sports, Sahara, Freedom and Rubicon. The latch has a sporty style and is aesthetically appealing as well as practical.
Easy installation is guaranteed when using this latch set on the recommended vehicles. You will not need to do any drilling and will only need basic hand tools that are more than likely already in your toolbox at home.
The metal of the latch has been made scratch resistance and heat resistant so it maintains a nice appearance while performing its duties. It is very durable, and the manufacturer offers a 2 year warranty for complete satisfaction.
2. Rugged Ridge Textured Black Aluminum Hood Lock
This aluminum hood latch bolts in place so it is very simple to install. You do not need to drill any holes or make any alterations to your vehicle to secure the latch in position. It is a direct replacement for the OE manufactured latches on a variety of Jeep Wrangler models.
Aluminum is the perfect metal for this purpose because it does not rust or corrode. It is pliant and attractive, and it lasts for years even when exposed to the weather, heat, and cold.
It is designed to securely hold your hood in place even when you are traveling over rough terrain like rocks, up steep inclines, or driving in heavy winds. The latch is durable and reliable, and it has a 5-year warranty from the manufacturer.
This is likely to be the last hood latch you ever have to buy.
3. Bolt Jeep Wrangler JK Hood Locking Latch
Uniquely designed to be effective, beneficial, and create less clutter in your pocket. This device will completely eliminate hood flutter. The hood will not bounce at all no matter how rough the terrain is or how high the winds speed is.
You do not need to worry about adding another key to your arsenal of keys because this opens using the ignition key of your vehicle. You are not going to lose the key, leave the key at home, or need to add another key to your growing ring.
It is easy to install and fits perfectly with the existing holes and rivets already present. Once this is applied you can rest assured that your battery and the components under your hood will not be tampered with or stolen.
4. Topfire Aluminum Jeep JK locking Hood Latch
All aluminum materials make this one of the better hood latches for Jeep vehicles. Often Jeeps are driven on off-road excursions so they are exposed to higher amounts of sand, road debris, and moisture. The aluminum in these hood latches will not rust, will not corrode, and will be able to withstand any of the elements of nature that it is exposed to.
These latches are very effective and they eliminate all hood flutter. They secure the hood in place and you can feel free to drive over any terrain, up to any incline, and through any amount of wind. Your hood is not going anywhere.
Easy to install and does not require you to make any adaptations or drill any holes in your vehicle. They are ready to use and will fit the Rubicon, Sahara, Sport, Jeep Wrangler JK, and the Jeep Wrangler JKU built between 2007 and 2018. They are not compatible with the Jeep JL or the JLU manufactured between 2018 and 2020.
5. Routen Stainless Steel Hood Latch
These are an upgrade for your factory hood catches. They are sporty and more pleasing to look at. They add a touch of class and a slightly more aggressive appearance to your Jeep Wrangler JK 2 door and the 4-door Unlimited, the Sports, the Sahara, the Freedom, and the Rubicon. They are not suited for all of the Jeep JL models.
These are easy to install and you do not need to do any drilling. They fit precisely into the existing holes of the original hood catch and tighten down with a screwdriver.
You will get 2 locking hood catches with 2 rubber pads and 2 keys. Your engine components will be secure and you can worry less about who is under your hood.
6. RT-TCZ Wrangler JL Latch
Perfect fitment for the Jeep Wrangler JK and JL 2-door and Unlimited 4-Door design manufactured between 2007 and 2020. It is also a great fit for the Sports, Sahara, Freedom and Rubicon manufactured during that time period.
With this latch in place, your hood stays secure, and the things beneath your hood like your battery are not easy fare for thieves and vandals.
Unique in appearance these latches actually add to the beauty of your Jeep rather than diminishing or taking away from the look of the vehicle. They install easily and they are made from die-cast electroplate so they do not rust or corrode and they do not easily scratch or become worn looking.
7. JeCar Jeep Wrangler JL Hood Steel Latch Hood
Designed more for safety and style than it is for security from theft. This set of hood catch devices will assure you that no matter how fast you drive or how rough the road is that you drive you will have a hood that stays in the proper place and does not fly up and block your vision.
The latches are attractive and designed to replace the OE parts so they fit easily onto your vehicle without any alteration or adaptation necessary. They are specifically designed to fir the Jeep Wrangler JK and JL 2-door and Unlimited 4-door vehicles manufactured from 2007 until 2021. They fit other Jeep models as well so check the manufacturer specifications before ordering.
In less than thirty minutes you can have your old catches taken off and the new ones installed. They do not fasten with a key so there are no keys to keep up with.
8. GoHawkTEQ Black Stainless Steel Catch Kit
Perfect combination of good looks and great quality. These hood catches are not just serviceable items they are actually accessories that adorn the vehicle and make your Jeep look a little more aggressive and a lot flashier.
When you drive over rough terrain or up steep inclines you have to have the additional tough hood catches to stop your hood from bouncing and fluttering while you are traveling. You need the catches for security and peace of mind. They also help the hood to stay in position and stop some damages that can occur to under the hood components.
Things to Know Before Buying Jeep Hood Latches
Before you buy new Jeep wrangler hood latches you have to determine the purpose your new latch needs to serve. Is it just to secure the hood and stop fluttering when you are driving or does the new latch need to deter theft and vandalism?
You also have to make sure that you understand how the latch fits your vehicle, how it will look, and how to open and close the device. Make a list of what you want the latch to do and the size latch you need so you can compare the various specimens and make the right choice.
Fitment
You have to make sure the latch you buy is designed to be placed on the Jeep that you drive. The make and model of the Jeep can alter whether or not the latch fits against the original OE latch holes.
Materials
Make sure that you are buying a latch that is made of aluminum or metal that is not going to rust or corrode. It is important that the anchors and screws of the latch also be made of a material that is not going to corrode or rust.
Locks
Some latches are made to lock in place and be anti-theft devices while others are simply made to secure the hood when you are traveling over rough terrain. You decide whether you need a latch that can be used as an anti-theft device. In some instances, these devices will lower your insurance cost. Besides jeep hood latches check our jeep grab handle post.
How to Install Hood Latch in Jeep Wrangler
The installation of the Jeep hood latches is very easy. The first order of business is buying a hood latch that is designed to fit the make and model of Jeep that you drive. When you do this, you will get a latch that has holes and brackets that fit precisely where the OE latch was placed. That means you will not have to drill any holes or make any changes to your Jeep hood.
Get the proper screwdriver and remove the screws from the existing latch. Wipe off the area where the latch was secured and then place the new latch in position. Start all of the screws and tighten them partially down.
Once all of the screws are properly lined up you can then go around and tighten each screw down firmly. Do not over tighten the screw as you can strip it and stop it from being able to be removed easily.
How to Remove Jeep Hood Latches
To remove the existing Jeep hood locking latches all you are going to need is a Phillips head screwdriver and a few minutes of your time. You need to place the screwdriver end directly into the head of the screw and turn it towards the left to loosen it. Remember the old saying of “rightie tighty” and “lefty loosey” when working with any screws.
You may want to use an electric screwdriver or a drill driver with a Phillips head bit to do this with. Sometimes the screws can be difficult to get started backing out. Take your time and do not mar the head of the screw or you will have a lot of trouble backing it out. Make sure your screwtip is setting firmly in the center of the screw and apply slight but firm pressure the entire time you are backing it out.
People Also Ask About The Jeep Locking Hood Latch
How Does a Hood Latch Work?
The latch is in two sections and one section goes on the hood and the other section secures to the front panels of the vehicle. When the hood is closed a portion of the lower section will fold up and hook onto the upper section so when it is closed the two pieces of latch are locked together.
How to Adjust a Hood Latch?
You adjust the hood latch by loosening the screws and repositioning the latch a little up, or down or left or right. You should make the adjustments before you completely tighten the screws that secure the latch in place.
Will JL Hood Latches fit JK?
This depends on the latch style, the manufacturer design and the make and model of JK and JL that you have. Some years the JK and the JL had hoods that were compatible but some years the design was not compatible and the latches could not interchange.
Final Thoughts
One of the greatest inventions for people who live in large cities, or areas where there is a worry about theft of engine parts is the Bolt 7026128 Jeep Wrangler JK Hood Lock. Once you have one in place you can rest assured that your car parts are not being boosted. The beauty of the device is that it secures using the ignition key for your vehicle.
Hood latches are the unseen heroes that protect our engines and our vision. If you drive over rough terrain frequently you may want to consider the Topfire aluminum hood catch. It is strong, stops all hood flutter, and is weather-resistant so it will not rust or corrode.
