How much effort to close your hood?

[mike]

During my inspection while picking up the Ranger, I checked out the engine compartment. When I went to close the hood, I put it all the way down, then pushed down firmly like I have done with many other vehicles. Since it has a gas helper strut, you can't just drop it from some level. Anyway, it wouldn't secure.

Service manager was out there and said you have to pick up to about a foot and slam it down hard. That worked, but seems pretty harsh especially with an aluminum hood. I said,"That's really the way it is supposed to be", "Yup, that's the way it is".

I'll look at it and see if I can adjust it myself, but curious as to what kind of effort you guys need to put in to closing your hood.

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[joeb427]

Mine has to be closed pretty hard. Harder than I would like.

 

[Floyd]

Shut it firmly from about 6 to 10".. no drama.

 

[mike]

Shut it firmly from about 6 to 10".. no drama.

I'll give it a look and see if there is something I can adjust. It's definitely more effort than firm.

 

[DBRanger]

Shut it firmly from about 6 to 10".. no drama.

What he said. All in all fairly gentle. It also gets better with time and repeated closings. And you get used to the feel of it.

 

[dmeyer302]

It also gets better with time and repeated closings. And you get used to the feel of it.

Well it's not a Colorado so I'm not planning on getting too familiar with it

 

[DrRoger]

I checked the oil today (I have no idea why) and did have to give it a second go to close. Just not used to it. Not a problem.

 

[Hounddog409]

I checked the oil today (I have no idea why) and did have to give it a second go to close. Just not used to it. Not a problem.

Good idea. Always check oil in new engines....every 1k for the first 5k.

Always do that. New engines tend to eat a little before everything gets seated.

 

[Fjsteven]

I think the hood is a little firm. But I don’t have to slam mine. I can set it down and push to get it to latch. A fairly firm push but nothing obnoxious.

 

[Stevie Gee]

Shut it firmly from about 6 to 10".. no drama.

Exactly...a good drop closes and latches it. I wouldn’t push on it either; the lightweight hoods today could actually dent by pushing them.

 

[mike]

Exactly...a good drop closes and latches it. I wouldn’t push n it either; the lightweight hoods today could actually dent by pushing them.

The hood doesn't just drop and latch, it has to be pushed (talking about my hood). But, now that I've done it a few times, I agree with @Floyd that it takes a firm push from about 6-10" but I also agree with @joeb427 that it's firmer than I'd like (given the aluminum construction), but I'll get used to it. I'm not sure how the interior pull will hold up as it seems to take a fair bit of effort on that plastic for the hood to snap open.

 

[rooster]

I feel like mine takes too much effort to close, but I’ve found just the right technique. If an adjustment procedure comes up I’d be interested.

 

[MINI Ranger]

I've opened and closed hoods all of my 45 year career in automotive business and I too am uncomfortable closing the Ranger hood.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hi Folks,

My hood is quite easily closed with a firm push, but I prefer the 6" slam method. opened and closed thousand of hoods in my career at Ford Light Truck...the Ranger does not cause me any alarm.

Besr,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Company, Retired

 

[Johnpenn]

Hi Folks,

My hood is quite easily closed with a firm push, but I prefer the 6" slam method. opened and closed thousand of hoods in my career at Ford Light Truck...the Ranger does not cause me any alarm.

Besr,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Company, Retired

I agree. Have opened and closed mine several times and don't see an issue. The main difference to me is that you are having to overcome the two lifting struts. I think that as the struts get some use they will get weaker and easier to close until they wear out and need replacement just like SUV rear door struts.

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