Jacked Up Hood Hook Brackets ??????

[wildman326]

One of my sets of hood hook bracket sets (the part the goes on the front hood) is pretty jacked up. I've mangled them and bent them back to how they should be a few times so they are looking pretty bad. Almost to the point that I'm thinking about replacing them.

I've seen someone selling "re-enforced" brackets for $65 on here. I'm a cheap SOB so that seems excessive for something that I believe I could make out of thick gauge aluminum.

What I want to know is has anyone that occationally flails their ski on such a grand scale that it blows the hood off doing anything different? If the re-enforced brackets would solve the problem they would be worth the one time expense . . . but does this set-up need a weakest point? I mean if the hooks are the weakest link then they blow out first . . . which is much cheaper than having hooks that are so strong that they rip a hole in your hood. :bigeyes:

I've got a big wave strap so usually the hood doesn't actually come completely off of the ski.

I've seen people use 2 and even 3 latches to help minimize flexing of the hood . . . does that work?

 

[beachedflunkey]

I had a buddy of mine weld some 1/8" ss in my hood clips - $7 for 2"x24"x.128" . I think it was the mig welder that made them turn out ugly but they are definitely functional.

I don't know about them tearing up the hood but if you are that aggressive it might be time to reinforce the hood too.

 

[y660rider]

Probably wasnt a mig for SS, maybe a tig.

 

[Big Kahuna]

XMetal sells reinforced OEM Hood Hooks.

 

[Matt_E]

I have not used them yet, but they look like top notch quality. Good looks, and strong.

 

[unclehulka13]

ive got a set. they're way beefier than oem. these things arent breaking. and they're polished.

 

[njfl]

I have a couple sets of those reinforced and polished XMetal hooks still available. One set has some black marks from too much heat during welding. They still have the polished finish (except where the black marks are, see picture). You can have them for $45.00, shipped if you're interested. PM me. Joe.

 

[WAB]

I was suprised at the low price for OEM replacements.
They (dealers) charge almost as much for the 2 little backing plates that go on the inside as they charge for the hood hooks.