What is a Truck Hood Pin?
Hood pins are used on heavy duty trucks to locate the hood when it is being closed. Hood pins will guide both sides of the hood into the correct closed positions and ensure that the body and hood are lined up so the latches can secure the hood. As the truck is used and the hood is opened and closed the hood pins can wear. As the hood pins wear closing the hood may become more difficult and lining up the latches can become frustrating. The hood pins sit relatively close to the engine and turbo and they will experience high under hood temperatures that will accelerate their breakdown.
Replacing hood pins is a simple job and they should be matched up using the OEM part number as a reference. The high temp option is recommended for most trucks to help slow the breakdown of the material due to heat. Hood pins should be replaced in pairs and when they are installed, they should be left loose to allow for the hood to be properly aligned before torquing them down.