My release cable is either broken or unhooked.
Any ideas on how to open the hood without trashing the brand new grill?

 

Man that is a bummer...maybe that is why my grill is cracked in that spot....I just had a quick look at what is visible from underneath...looks like only the secondary latch...have you tried giving that a poke...or sticking a long skinny arm up there.... :

Good luck...

 

Those pretty (Brand new) black finned pieces won't let an arm in there.
I'm about ready to drill a hole through the top and open it that way.
Then just weld up the hole.
the hood is the one piece on the front end that wasn't replaced.

 

I just looked at my truck --

I am pretty sure that if you had another truck to "practice" on with the hood open, you could bend a piece of welding rod into a hook that would slip through the grill, through the hole for the saftey, behind the main latch, grab onto the release arm, and pull it open.

I know it sounds a little crazy, but it seems like it would be a damage free solution.

Good luck!!!

Alec

 

Anyone in Dunnellon/Ocala area I can look at?

 

Good luck. I tried for an hour and finally ended up cutting out a section of my cracked grille. :'( I wish you the best of luck. I do wish I had that original grille. It is so much better made than the knock offs out there now.

Carl

 

How much cable is left???

My 89 broke off at the firewall and I just cut the plastic casing on the cable and got a few strands with a pair of vicegrips.?

The cable runs along the drivers fender and around behind the headlight. If you could get through from the bottom you might be able to pull the whole cable assembly down to get some of that cable in the sheath.

J-eh

 

pretty sure it's unhooked at the latch.
Pulls back nice and smooth like it always did.
Just....nothing happens.
Was working fine for a couple of weeks and then stopped working.

 

If you wanted to look at another truck to make a tool, I don't think it would have to be diesel?

If you think it would help, I could take a picture and make some measurements for you . . .

Alec

 

That would be great.
THANKS!

 

It is about 5 1/4 inches to the far side of the lever that the cable attaches to from the edge of the hole for the safety.

 

Sorry the pics aren't better. Let me know if you need more.

Looks like you will need to slide under the cable housing, back up behind the latch, hook onto where the cable attaches, and pull to the driver's side.

 

All dressed up for picture day, Alec?

 

Thanks a bunch!!
Guess what I'll be doing tomorrow?

 

Well Dave, I'm still hoping I'll figure out how to quit my day job some day . . .

Wise-guy.