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Open the hood without access to the truck ?

3K views 14 replies 9 participants last post by  Walt 
#1 ·
Long story short, the battery seems to have died on me yesterday and the key lock was rendered unusable in a theft attempt shortly after I got it. The remote does not work and I am now locked out of the truck.

As I see it I have two options: (i) get a “locksmith” and enter the car by the door or; (ii) find a way to open the hood without entering the truck and change the battery which would allow me to use the car via the remote.

Anybody knows if the hood can be opened without entering the truck ?
 
#2 ·
I had a similar situation in a GMC Jimmy a long time ago. I used about 5 socket extensions and was able to unbolt the hood latch mounting bracket by laying under the front and running the socket in front of the radiator. Not sure if the WK's is accessible or not but might look into that.

If that doesnt work try the hammer vs window routine ;)
 
#4 ·
Remove drivers side tire, hook a lead wire to the big starter wire (connects directly to the battery), connect to a ground (anywhere on the vehicle), connect these leads to a good battery and the jeep has power!

Problem solved.
 
#5 ·
^^ Better than my idea! That should work fine

Take a coat hanger and wedge it in b/t the window and door frame and see if you can pull the hood release (prolly only work if your window was cracked, and you prolly would have done that if it was) So I am pretty much no help...
 
#6 · (Edited)
I also like Escapes idea, although from what i recall from my starter replacement i could only access the nut/wire on the starter after pulling off the drivers side wheel, skid plate, front driveshaft, starter heat shield, and then unbolting the starter and rotating it....

I just ran out and looked at mine. Just under the hood through the grill, looks like you could pull off these 2 nuts and the whole bracket would come loose allowing you to open the hood right? Or maybe you can hook that wire through the grill and pull it to release?

 
#15 ·
rvtifer: I just ran out and looked at mine under the hood and through the grill.

Another idea: Using the grill access (see picture above), use a 13mm socket, a short extension (say 4"), a universal joint, and another longer extension (say 12") to remove the 2 @ 13mm hex-head capscrews that hold the hood u-bracket in place.
You'll have to provide support for the first short extension up to the u-joint. Think one is in front of the bracket and one behind it. Probably a little tricky, but worth a try.

If that proves unsuccessful, maybe even from underneath with 2 long extensions? :)
 
#9 ·
#11 ·
RVTIFER what route did you go? I want to know who's idea won ;)
 
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#12 ·
I tried the easiest way first and took off the two bolts as per 555ctsv's picture. With those off I just had to pull off the bars that hold the bumper structure and voila the lock mechanism is detached from the chassis and there in enough room to release the mechanism by hand.
 
#13 ·
And that gentlemen is how it's done ;) Glad it worked for ya!
 
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