Jake’s review · 2015 JKU
KMFCDAE JL-style hood latches on my JK: better look, but I pulled the spring
I wanted the newer JL-style latches on my 2015 JKU. They look cleaner, they stopped the hood flutter, and they’re easier to open than the stock rubber ones. The spring mechanism was a pain, so I took it out—and they’ve worked great since.
Jake’s photos
Installed, plus the stock latch they replaced
Jake’s note
Why I swapped the stock latches
I liked the latch design on the newer Wranglers and wanted that on my JK. The stock latches are rubber—they wear out and let the hood flutter at highway speed. These fixed that, they’re easier to undo, and I see them every time I walk up to the Jeep.
In the garage
How the install went
No drilling—they bolted on, and that part was easy. The spring was not. It’s a tight space and I have big hands. Tape off the paint and don’t rush it.
Heads-up
The spring
The latch itself is the upgrade. The spring-loaded part felt janky and needed fiddling. I eventually took the spring out completely, and the latches have worked great without it. That’s just my set—yours might behave differently.
Which Jeep
Fitment
Fit my 2015 four-door JKU. The listing covers more years than that, but that’s the only Jeep I’ve put them on.
The good stuff
What I like
- Cleaner JL-style look
- No more hood flutter
- Easier to open than the stock rubber latches
- No drilling—they bolt on
- Working great since I pulled the spring
Before you buy
What bugged me
- The spring mechanism felt janky
- Tight space to work in, especially with big hands
- Tape off the paint before you start
Bottom line
Would I install them again?
Yes. I’d just skip the fight with the spring this time.
Questions I get
Quick questions
Do they look like JL hood latches?
That’s the look I was after, and they get close. They’re still an aftermarket part on a JK.
Do they fix hood flutter?
Yes. The stock rubber latches let the hood bounce at highway speed. These hold it down.
Do you have to drill to install them?
No. I didn’t drill anything on my 2015 JKU—they bolted on.
What was the hardest part?
The spring mechanism. Tight space, big hands. I ended up removing the spring and they’ve worked great since.