Hood Pin Question

[BamaTJ]

Got the new Durham hood in yesterday (thanks P for being the shipping hub) and one Autofab Hood Pin (didn't know they were not sold in pairs)

. It has a big poly sleeve that mounts to the hood and requires a ~1.25" hole to be drilled in the hood. What would you guys use to drill this hole in fiberglass? Do they make hole saws that small? Just looking for ideas/options as we plan to mock it up tonight. Mountin the pins to the grill support. BTW, the hood is insanely nice, finish is top notch no extra prep required.

 

[P]

Hole saw dood...

edit : with a pilot bit in it.

 

[InDaShop]

I drill the pilot hole, then chuck up the hole saw but rather than a pilot drillbit I use a piece of same size rod. I've always had trouble with the pilot drill bits wanting to walk the holesaw one direction or another. This way you get a CLEAN hole drilled. And on fiberglass try to back up the piece you are drilling with a piece of wood so you don't splinter out the fiberglass on the back side.

 

[P]

The hole will be covered either way by all the rubber that lays on the top of it with these style hood pins. You could use a drill bit or damn near anything... thats another nice feature of those pins, easy to install and look good. Just go cut your expensive damn hood already laughing

 

[BamaTJ]

Here is the catch on the hole saw Autofab says to first drill the 9/16" hole in the hood for the through bolt to go down through, then center the poly insert around the 9/16" hole and open it up to 1.25" from there. I was also thinking that going 1/16 to 1/8" larger with the hole for the insert might help keep some stress of the hood and keep it from cracking around the pins. The insert is actually held in with the 4 small bolts around the edge, so I don't see why drilling a slightly larger hole for the insert would hurt as it would be converd up and a loose fit would probably be better. Am I crazy or what?

 

[P]

Yes your crazy...

you coulda been done by now

( I didnt get your message until this morning cell dont work for crap at the house bro, you know dis.. want me to bring one in tommorow ? )

 

[InDaShop]

I feel like my hood is way under engineered. ??? 4 pins sticking through the hood with washers and cotters.

 

[BamaTJ]

Nah, I guess I will just run to Lowe's and buy a holesaw before heading over to Joe's. I only have this afternoon and today to get it right

 

[blacksheep10]

I feel like my hood is way under engineered. ??? 4 pins sticking through the hood with washers and cotters.

no, MINE is horribly under engineered. some bolts (hood pins cost money...these: free!) welded vertical with holes drilled across them and a nasty hack hole in teh hood. cotters I stole off an implement out back

 

[InDaShop]

for the longest time you had a set of vicegrips holding one side, now that is some "BLING" freaking vice grips are essssspensive

 

[blacksheep10]

true, in AR with miller I had a pair on each side, $11 apiece. We were going through the woods and wyatt is like, "WHOA WHOA WHOA" I think my wheel has come off, he dives out and retrieves the grips laughing

 

[BamaTJ]

We got it all mocked up, and the hood fit like a glove! It had all the indentions to accept the stock hardware and hinges. The hood pins went on in a snap, they look sick. We are going to have to use some TJ or YJ hinges on the rear of the hood that connects it to the new fender triangles. It flops around a bit in the rear.

 

[under_psi]

good call on those hood pins...they are the ****...i have some that have been collecting dust for about 8mos now....they are sitting on the hood though...

 

[MMountain]

I have also used these pins for a Campbell hood on a TJ. They look and work great so far.

 

[1TONZR2]

I am thinking about using some of these pins for my truck..the stock hood latch is a POS.....plus I am thinkin about skinning the front end and adding some tube....so that would work out well.
lets see some pics!

Brian

 

[MMountain]

Pics of Penn's TJ with pins installed.

This shows the inside on the fiberglass. The small washers are going to be changed out for a rubber-backed 16 ga. laser cut plate with the hole pattern to help distribute the load.

top side

 

[BamaTJ]

Nice pics, I was just about to ask! Did you have to do anything to suppor the back edge of the hood (where it meets the fender triangle)? I don't have an inner fender so it flops a lot at that location. We were thinking about just using the stock TJ hood latch do secure each side to the fender triangle.

 

[MMountain]

At the time of installation, it did not flop at all. It was a pretty thick hood and supported itself well. I will have to ask Penn if he has noticed any flopping since he has driven it at interstate speeds and wheeled it now.

 

[InDaShop]

How much those run? I may upgrade before I pull through my 'glass

 

[P]

15.00 ea through Poly..