Waterdawg hood install question

[CarFanatic]

what is the best way to mount the hood latch? There are no predrilled holes for the latch, I dont want to screw up mounting it wrong.

Also I have the lowered hood bracket, I assume the stock on just unbolts and then you bolt the new on up?

 

[SuperJETT]

I'd call Jeff if you can get hold of him.

My 24/7 didn't have holes drilled either, I assume because hulls are different and people use different hood seals/etc. I don't remember how I drilled them though, it's been 7 years almost now since I did it.

 

[oxnard111]

When bluegtate and I have drilled holes for our hood latches on WDK hoods. You have to just kinda guesstimate where it goes. Its tought b/c the hood side receptacle has those little knobs coming off the back. Get it as close as you can... if your off a little just open up the holes a little larger and tighten it down where it fits best. You don't want to compress the hood while determining the position of the holes b/c you want the latch to put some downward pressure on the hood while it is engaged.

 

[CarFanatic]

I assume also that I will need to get some bolts to go through the 2 layers right?

What about the lowered pole bracket install?

 

[SuperJETT]

One thing I do remember after reading oxnard's is to try to err on the tight side, because you'd rather open a hole and move the latch downward and have the bolts resting against fiberglass than move it upward and not have that extra support---it could loosen and slide possibly.

 

[butti]

you can mock up the latch on the bench as it will be mounted and measure the the distance between bolt and hole centerlines and the lay it out on the ski easily,you have to guess but eiither way stick to tight side as superjett suggested.if its too loose to you have to epoxy up the holes and start over again

if using the measuring method you have to ratchet strap the hood down onto the hoodseal just how you want it to sit when latched

there may be some drilling involved for the bracket too but it will be pretty obvious whats needed

good luck!

 

[CarFanatic]

so I can ratchet strap the hood down, then kinda trace the area around where the latch will sit. I thought about cutting a templet out to mimick the back of the latch then laying that where I traced out the latch to drill the holes.

 

[butti]

so I can ratchet strap the hood down, then kinda trace the area around where the latch will sit. I thought about cutting a templet out to mimick the back of the latch then laying that where I traced out the latch to drill the holes.

yes....the template idea is a good one too!

 

[Lakeman]

This might be to late, but O well.

Don't forget to trim your hood down before drilling any holes. I had to sand and sand to get the hood to fit where I wanted it to be. It sucked.

 

[CarFanatic]

what?! you mean it doesn't fit right? I haven't attempted this yet.

 

[MADMAT]

This might be to late, but O well.

Don't forget to trim your hood down before drilling any holes. I had to sand and sand to get the hood to fit where I wanted it to be. It sucked.

I have never heard of that.

 

[NelsonLt1]

I just did this last week and this worked for me:
1. Put the hood on the ski, make sure it is seated in the hood seal correctly.
2. Check that the hood is on straight & fits correctly.
3. Put a ratchet strap around the ski & hood and tighten down.
4. Take the hood side latch & hook it into the ski side of the latch with it locked.
5. take a pencil/marker and sketch around the two mounting holes of the latch on to the hood; as well as the pilot pin.
6. Drill out with a bit that fits inside of the old hoods mounting holes.
7. Check for fitment of latch.
8. If the latch is too tight you can slot the holes downward.

Hopefully that's clear enough.

 

[750SX]

or you could just use a ratchet strap system and forget about the hoodlatch.

 

[CarFanatic]

that helps alot thanks!

Do you have to pull the tank to take out the pole bracket?

 

[butti]

i would

 

[CarFanatic]

does it just unbolt? I haven't looked at how the bracket comes off.

 

[NelsonLt1]

no need to take the tank out, just unstrap it and disconnect the filler hose at the tank and slide it forward to get your hand in there. It is just bolted with 4 bolts, 12mm If I remember correctly.

 

[NelsonLt1]

Here are a few pics for reference.

 

[CarFanatic]

hmm, I cant move my tank much with my bpipe. have to see how far I can move it!

 

[superjetnj]

I put a ratchet strap across the hood(to the rails) crank down, take the hood keep, dip the backside into some paint, so the nubs are covered, cover hood in masking tape, keep latch in closed position with hood keep and press against tape on hood, drill paint marks on hood, install keep, make adjustments from there, that's how I did it.