kmong2

I'm restoring a 1991 Dodge Ram W-250 with a 5.9 CTD... well, the other day I had the front end jacked up so I could change the tires and while changing the tires on my manual tire changer, the truck slid off the jack(do to being in a dirt area) and the hood slammed shut. Well, the hood release cable hasn't been put on yet since the hood wasn't shutting do to the fact that it was hitting the LHS fender and needed adjusted. Well, the force of the truck sliding of the jack was enough to slam the hood shut. Now, how do I get the hood open with out cutting holes? The grille isn't on the truck, but the inner cooler and radiator are on it. THANKS!

bannerd

Good luck with that! I would just smash the grille and buy a new one.

kmong2

the grill is already off... I can't find a way to grab the release mechanism

BILTIT

Can you pull the intercooler out? If you can then you should be able to get to the hoodlatch.

kmong2

I'll try that when I get home from work. Not sure though, I think it bolts from inside the engine compartment.

BILTIT

You should be able to get the pass. side IC clamp off from under the wheel well, not sure about the driv. side though.

Jim Lane

This would have worked.prefectly.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=187435

Here is what the latch looks like, maybe you can reach a wire in through the opening for the safety latch and snag the latch arm.

An easy way to reach into inaccessible areas is to thread both ends a section of stainless cable through a piece of 1/4" air brake line creating a loop or snare, now you can bend the air brake line to fit into hard to reach areas, working the snare around the item you want to retrieve now you just have to pull back on the 2 cable ends from the back end of the brake line to tighten the snare.

You can also use steel fishing leader and 3/16" Nyflex line.

If you do not understand I could draw a picture.

I have used a modified version of this snare to retrieve a broken axle out of the axle tube saving many extra hours of work.

Don't tell anybody but this also works when dropped though a pried window to snag the door lock and pop it.



This is the underside of the core support..



I would also recommend you install an emergency release once you get opened, it is only a matter of time until the factory cable breaks.

Also see how I modified the latch so I can unbolt the entire latch mechanism from the under side of the truck, of course I do not have an intercooler though.



Let me know if this was of any help.

Jim