Hood Latch "Clip" is Trashed - Help

The D-ring that holds the hood into the latch (attached to the hood) has separated from the hood on 08 Taco. The latch mechanism is fine and works properly, it is the clip (looks like a leaf spring u bolt) that actually goes inside that latch that has broke off from the hood. This occurred on my truck at around 75K miles. I drive a ton of off highway miles on rough roads at high speeds. The first time I fixed it using defcon, but there isn't much surface area and as expected the piece fell of shortly. I don't have access to a TIG welder so that is out of the question. Has anybody had this problem and fixed it? I don't think it is an isolated issue because my cousin's 09 just broke in the exact same spot at 65K miles. He uses his truck similarly to mine.

I'll try and post some pics tonight.

 

Crappy defcon job, I know. You can see the hairline fracture starting again. Once it completely breaks off that whole d ring will fall off of the hood.

 

I'm suprised more people haven't had this issue.

 

Just an update, I fixed this issue by installing some jeep style hood catches and getting rid of my clip altogether.

 

I noticed my hood bouncing around a bit the other day, my rubber stops under the hood needed to be adjusted, maybe this helps prevent this issues?

 

When you click the thumbnails, they don't expand... can you redo them? I'm curious to see your handiwork.

 

I think you are exactly right Comatosed.

I attached a pic of the install. Not the best looking mod but it works.

 

How about now.

 

Close up

 

Good to 200 MPH. Still not sure what you broke in the first place.

 

That's actually kind've cool on a trail rig. Nice job!

 

from the looks of the U Hook with the paint missing, it might be that it did not line up properly when it was closing and that could introduce some stress on the pieces. Was the hood removed/replaced or did the front of the truck ever get hit?

 

You know, my hood is getting very tough to open. I pull the lever, but it no longer pops the hood up. I have to get my fingers under the corner of the hood, work to the center and shake up and down for it to do the initial *pop*- then I can reach the upper handle to open the hood. I don't want to do this for too long because I'm concerned that it will eventually warp the hood slightly...

I have a satoshi grill, so I cannot use the lower handle like you can with the OEM grill front.

Can you move the latch a little one way or the other??? I was tapped in the rt front from the side and I wonder if that little tap was enough to cause this issue. It's been over a year so little I can do about it.

I'd like to be proactive so as to avoid the issue the OP is dealing with... I started by lubing the crap out of it today with some WD40 and plan to twist my rubber corner adjusters up a little to put more pressure on the hood spring in case it's a little "tired" after all these years as well.

 

WD40 is not a good lubricant ( It isn't really a lubricant at all ) for the hood latching mechanism. Get a good Lithium Grease and lay it to it after a good cleaning, which WD40 will do.

 

Check this out, should fix your problem.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/91402-how-diy-hood-alignment.html

 

No wrecks and the hood was never removed.

 

OP, was it bouncing around? It could have been out of alignment and bouncing, causing the premature wear if that was the case

 

What brand clips/locks did u get?

 

Op how was install?