Hood Latch for '03 Sits further back so what can I do to get the '02 latch to work.

May be a dumb question but i've looked and cant find anything about this I may not be searching the right place, but I dont know.... just need advice.


Thanks.

lol you have to swap the rad support bar that holds the latch, 4 bolts I went through the same problem for half an hour

where can I get one cause I had to buy all these parts new and do I need new bolts or what all will I need.

megatron wrote:lol you have to swap the rad support bar that holds the latch, 4 bolts I went through the same problem for half an hour

I used longer bolts and some spacers on the hood latch to get my 97 catch to work.

Kardain wrote:

megatron wrote:lol you have to swap the rad support bar that holds the latch, 4 bolts I went through the same problem for half an hour

I used longer bolts and some spacers on the hood latch to get my 97 catch to work.

the '03 latchs sits approx 3 to 4 inchs further back then the '02 latch. I was thinking for drilling holes and mounting the new latch that way but I am trying to see what a good way to do it is cause I am just doing this for now cause the hood I bought my cousins husband @!#$ up when trying to install hood pins and it was a brand new 2 day old hood.

did you change the rad. support on the 97 or what all did you have to do ( in detail)

just do what I said its a 5 minute job and its done right

megatron wrote:just do what I said its a 5 minute job and its done right

Do you have a list of what all I will need cause I dont know how it works.

I havent been that good with this car I am still trying to get the fenders, bumber (fiberglass p.o.s.), headlights and hood to line up right.

then the outer '03 taillights arent going into place very well. the new mirrors had to much foam on the outside so I had to get the down to where it would bolt up tight and I need to be able to drive my car by Wed so I am just trying to get this all done a.s.a.p.

i cant rememberthe bolt size Im thinking 10mm or 13mm maybe 15mm I forget but here is what you need to swap and where the bolts are

Tim Wheeler wrote:

Kardain wrote:

megatron wrote:lol you have to swap the rad support bar that holds the latch, 4 bolts I went through the same problem for half an hour

I used longer bolts and some spacers on the hood latch to get my 97 catch to work.

the '03 latchs sits approx 3 to 4 inchs further back then the '02 latch. I was thinking for drilling holes and mounting the new latch that way but I am trying to see what a good way to do it is cause I am just doing this for now cause the hood I bought my cousins husband @!#$ up when trying to install hood pins and it was a brand new 2 day old hood.

did you change the rad. support on the 97 or what all did you have to do ( in detail)

Here's what I did in detail... hope you can keep up, its really complicated :

1) Purchased 03 hood and hood latch (the part that bolts to the hood)

2) Installed hood latch

3) Installed hood

4) Hood wouldn't close all the way (bottomed out before tripping the lock), so added spacers (steel) and longer bolts (grade 8) where the latch bolts to the hood. No drilling, no moving the rad support, no getting a new catch. It's far easier and just as safe as swapping the part in the pic... plus a trip to the hardware store is easier than a trip to the junkyard, IMO

Also, when I helped with an 03 to 02 swap, it was the same thing... 02 hood, 02 latch, 03 catch.

From 95-05, the catch (part on the rad support) remained the same spot. The only difference was the length and position of the latch (part on the hood)

Whatever the proper terminology for those 2 parts are I don't know...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Thursday, March 06, 2008 11:03 PM

The hood striker (part bolted to the hood) is taller on the 03-05 models. I have the 03-05 hood striker and used spacers just like Kardain described. You can also open the holes in the latch assembly (part that bolts to radiator support) so that it can be slid upwards a bit. It takes a bit of work to get things adjusted right.

I got it for the most part but it works now so thanks alot guys I can drive my car now I bungeed it down to make it to the Chevy dealer to get the parts.


damn body panels arent lined up cause they are @!#$ retarded...