I have shuddered watching the hood flutter when meeting semi trucks since owning my JK. Well today I met three semi's in a row. Old Number Three sent my right latch rubber sailing in the air. I limped home at a reduced speed with no issues.
I had previously watched video's by JK Gear and Gadgets as well as Crawl TV on the JL Hood Latch conversion for the JK. It looks to be a very simple install, as well as a huge improvement over the Rubber JK Latch.
After a search the best deal I found on JL Hood latch's was at Rubi-Trux. They had new take off Latch's for $69.95 with Free Shipping.
The wait is on. I suspect I should have the latch's sometime in the next week. Mean while I will drive my 3/4 Ton RAM, and leave the Jeep parked.
I have been planning on doing this improvement anyway, this just got me motivated.

Bob R

 

You'll like it. Very easy mod to do, and they are functional as well as nice looking.

 

I installed Drake latches long ago and they were great. Anything besides rubber that has give to it is going to be a big improvement. You might remove the single spring right under the hood as well. Those latches they put on the JKs were so stupid from the start.

 

I did the bolt hood lock off amazon for $50 and it accomplishes this exact goal of stopping the hood flutter and locking the hood so it can't fly up. It even allows to you self key to the ignition key., My vote would be for the bolt hood lock in this situation.

 

I installed a bolt hood lock and while hood flutter was reduced i still had a small amount. Replacing stock straps with Daystar straps totally ended hood flutter on mine.

 

OK I can definitely see how it could still have a small amount of flutter I guess. It does slightly move still but isn't going anywhere with it latched.

 

I replaced my latches for the same reason - hood flutter. I got a cheaper kind but it also locked. What a difference. No issues, look great and I am glad I did it.

 

I got an e-mail from Rubi-Trux notifying me that the latch's had shipped.
I am really looking forward to doing this upgrade on my JK.

Bob

 

We purchased daystar hood wranglers. No more flutter. Worth every penny.

 

Saturday 9 May 2020
When I got home from the Shotgun Work day at the Sportsman's Club I had a package from Rubi-Trux setting on my Jeep front fender in the drive way. Delivered by FedEx slightly late. ( Tracking said delivery by 8 PM Friday evening)
I opened the package to find a Rugged Ridge Aluminum XHD Hood Catches Box. My first thought was OH NO not after market parts. When I opened the box the JL Hood Latch's were in it, in as Brand New Condition as advertised.
I did a quick You Tube search on popping the Grill, just to make sure I did not break anything. Piece of cake to get off.
I unbolted the old hood latch set up, and did a test fit on the lower part of the Latch. The upper plastic ears did not line up, as expected. I drilled the two ear holes out to 3/8", checked for burs and sprayed some automotive primer in a paper bowl then used a Q-Tip to apply paint to the raw metal.
Not following the instructions I just bolted the top part of the latch in place. After letting the paint dry a few minutes I installed the lower part of the latch. I checked to see how tight the fit was without enlarging the upper hood bolt holes. The fit looked to be good, so I reinstalled the grill.
I will give it a test drive in the morning when I head out to Church.
I can already tell this was a very good modification. Huge Improvement over the Rubber Hold Down.

Bob R