Hood not latching

Has anyone experienced their gen 1 tacoma hood not latching? I'm hoping for an easy fix but not sure how to approach it.

 

Also lube the actuating cable.

$9 Pit Posse Universal Cable Luber Tool for Motorcycle ATV Dirt Bike Mx – – Good for Clutch and Throttle Cables – Automotive Tools

https://www.amazon.com/Pit-Posse-Un...=1626782795&sprefix=cable+lube,aps,153&sr=8-8

 

That's all it took? I just gave it a quick WD-40 spray and it seems to latch fine now. I figured a mechanic would've done that real quick if that's all it was. Thanks all for the suggestions.

 

Now that you know what the problem is and WD40 got it going, you can use an actual lubricant for better longevity.

But lubing that cable is a big deal. Well, it's a big deal if it breaks.

 

Thank you so much for the advice!

 

Yeah I had this same issue for a few years. WD-40 worked great for a few months but then it got so gummed up and wouldn't move again. I ended up taking the whole latch mechanism out and hitting it with some brake clean then lubricating the cable and mechanism with chain and cable lube. No issues yet.
https://blasterproducts.com/product/chain-and-cable-lubricant/

 

Wd40 is an “actual lubricant,” but I agree that a touch of grease or something with more staying power is appropriate

 

You want a silicone based lubricant or similar. Grease and most spray lubricants will attract dust and dirt and then gum up and make the problem worse again.

 

I know this is unrelated but I also have this hanging cloth under the hood. I know it doesn't look great but is there any reason not to just remove it?

 

That's what I thought. Thanks again!

 

I removed it. Would you recommend taking the yellow part off as well?

 

The yellow stuff is a sound deadening material and it helps kill hood vibrations.

I'd leave it alone. When it begins to fall off, then address the problem.

 

Yep. Just remove those plastic pins holding it in.

If you don't remove it, it will start coming undone very soon. Amplified by any moisture that gets on it.

When removed, it will be much easier to keep the engine bay tidy.

 

I had no idea! Thanks for the education.

 

while you're at it...lube those fuel door hinges

 

Did you guys know WD40 turns into a sticky substance over time? Bikers in the know never use it on their chains. I can attest to this having seen it happen. One alternative is to use oil spray that barbers use on their scissors.

 

Toyota says it's a fire blanket.
It has melt away supports that drop it when there's a fire.
Not all 1st gens got it though.
Just the noisy fire prone models.

 

Interesting.....

I wonder about its efficacy. Fuel and oil tend to be hard to smother.

 

Considering I've never heard of a Tacoma engine catching fire, and your truck would be toast at that point anyway, there's no logical reason to leave it on. It's just an eyesore and does virtually nothing to dampen noise.

For the other convo, WD40 is for cleaning, silicone-based spray lube is for future proofing. WD40 is the soap, silicone is the wax.