Hood pin preferences: Hair pin or torsion?

[barronj]

Which do you prefer & why?

I've had experience with the hair pin, none with the torsion style... I need to order something. I know the vendors sell some urethane variants, which I would have to paint, as they don't come in a neutral color that would work for my rig, and then I would worry about the paint cracking off as it flexed.

All feedback is appreciated.

Hair pin:

Torsion:

 

[gumbydood]

I have the torsion pins on my bronco. Seem to hold the hood down...

G'dood

 

[Broncobowsher]

Torsion.

But I don't use the little cables. Drill a hole at each end of the bumper on top. Pull the pin, drop it in the hole for storage. Keeps them from getting lost, not wearing them like jewelry, not lost on a bench or a seat.

The torsion sit nice and flat when clipped down.

 

[cs_88]

Ford Racing torsion pins.

 

[barronj]

Ford Racing torsion pins.

That's what's in the bottom pic, and what I'll be ordering. Thanks

 

[markperry]

I have the torsion.....Thursday on my way home from work the drivers side clip came off and just about ripped my hood off.....After I pulled too the side of the road I found a nail and bent it enough to hold it in place until I got to the hardware store.

The only thing I found too replace them was some tractor torsion pins, they look a little strange but I like them because they loop back over the pin too lock themselves;D

 

[barronj]

Why do you think it came off? I regularly see the torsion pin replacements at the bolt supply (which seems to be the source for half the bolts in my build)

 

[JWMcCrary]

I use the torsion. I had a couple of these in my stash of stuff for the tractor so I put one on each side of the front bumper for the purpose of the pins having a home when the hood was up.

 

[markperry]

Why do you think it came off? I regularly see the torsion pin replacements at the bolt supply (which seems to be the source for half the bolts in my build)

Mine are pretty old and couple that with 70 mph down the highway every day it just worked it's way out.......It just about blew the hood off!

 

[70_Steve]

Mine are pretty old and couple that with 70 mph down the highway every day it just worked it's way out.......It just about blew the hood off!

I've had the torsion clips for several years, and they're still just as tight as new. And, I've had reasons to have had the clips in and out/hood open and closed a bunch!!!! Seems like you'd be able to feel if the clips were wearing and not staying closed as tight as they should.

Interesting to read about the places guys have made to put the torsion clips when they remove them from the hood pins. I've always pulled the clips, opened the hood, then put them back in the hood pins...

 

[bigmuddy]

My reasoning for the going with the ones the vendors sell, is that all of the stainless hood pins I have run have eventually rusted. Not to mention they also never seem to fit tight and it bugged me watching the hood vibrate.

Ben

 

[JWMcCrary]

Interesting to read about the places guys have made to put the torsion clips when they remove them from the hood pins. I've always pulled the clips, opened the hood, then put them back in the hood pins...

That's work fine unless your an idiot like I am, trying to close the hood with them still in the pins.

 

[markperry]

I've had the torsion clips for several years, and they're still just as tight as new. And, I've had reasons to have had the clips in and out/hood open and closed a bunch!!!! Seems like you'd be able to feel if the clips were wearing and not staying closed as tight as they should.

I believe my issue was due to not having the original springs that came with the pins.......

 

[70_Steve]

That's work fine unless your an idiot like I am, trying to close the hood with them still in the pins.

Haha!!! I will plead guilty to having done that, too!!! I'm just lucky my hood is not the highest quality (flimsy). That and the hood shocks prevent me from slamming the hood and causing some real damage!!!