Hood Lock, 2003 Ford Explorer

I have a 2003 ford explorer I wanted to add one of those maxi guard hood locks with the medeco key (had one in my 96 explorer) but I was told that being my hood is made of fiberglass it would be useless because they would just be able to rip open the hood any suggestions.

Thanks

The hood probably could be opened if the mounting screws that hold the bracket were pulled out of the fiberglass in that area. If I was adding a hood lock to a fiberglass hood, I would take the hood off and add a steel plate to the backside of the fiberglass in the area where the hood lock bracket would be attached and then mount the hood lock bracket to this added steel plate. Make the steel plate as large as you can to spread out the force it would require to rip open the hood. Adding the steel plate may require that you cut out some of the underside of the hood but you can then fiberglass it back shut and refinish the underside of the hood so it looks finished but it would be considerably stronger for the hood lock bracket. You may also think about tapping the holes in the steel plate or welding on some nuts to the plate so machine thread screws can be used and then you would not have to rely on just self tapping or sheet metal screws.

When I put a hood lock on a customer's 69 Chevelle I made up my own hood bracket that was much stronger than what was in the kit and then welded it (but that was on a steel hood) so you may think about making your own hood bracket.

 Jim/Saint Louis