Replacing the Hood Release Handle - GEN II

[LifeIsGood]

I replaced my hood release handle with a billet aluminum version. Here is the DIY...

Replacing the Hood Release Handle - GEN II

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/kenandkristine/Viper/Viper%20Club%20DIY/Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement/GEN%20II%20Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement%2 0-%20OE%20and%20Billet%20Hood%20Release%20Handles.pn g

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/kenandkristine/Viper/Viper%20Club%20DIY/Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement/GEN%20II%20Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement%2 0-%20Original%20Equipment.png

OE hood release close-up.

I put a shallow cardboard box through the lower fascia opening to catch the bolts or nuts or any other pieces that might fall during removal.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/kenandkristine/Viper/Viper%20Club%20DIY/Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement/GEN%20II%20Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement%2 0-%205-16%20Inch%20Wrench.png

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/kenandkristine/Viper/Viper%20Club%20DIY/Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement/GEN%20II%20Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement%2 0-%20Mounting%20Bracket%20Attachment%20Points.png

Remove the 2 bolts on the front and the hex nut on the rear with a 5/16" wrench.
Pull the hood release handle casing off the mounting bracket.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/kenandkristine/Viper/Viper%20Club%20DIY/Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement/GEN%20II%20Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement%2 0-%20Mounting%20Bracket%20Removed.png

The viper will look like this.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/kenandkristine/Viper/Viper%20Club%20DIY/Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement/GEN%20II%20Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement%2 0-%20Mounting%20Bracket.png

The mounting bracket.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/kenandkristine/Viper/Viper%20Club%20DIY/Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement/GEN%20II%20Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement%2 0-%20Remove%20Retainer%20Clip.png

Remove the retainer clip with a flat head screwdriver.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/kenandkristine/Viper/Viper%20Club%20DIY/Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement/GEN%20II%20Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement%2 0-%20Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Casing.png

I marked the top side of each cable connector with red to make sure I didn't get them twisted on installation.
Remove the release handle from the handle casing.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/kenandkristine/Viper/Viper%20Club%20DIY/Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement/GEN%20II%20Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement%2 0-%20New%20Hood%20Release%20Handle.png

Install the new hood release handle.
Snap the new handle onto the handle casing, align the 2 cable connectors and snap the retainer clip on top to hold them in place.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/kenandkristine/Viper/Viper%20Club%20DIY/Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement/GEN%20II%20Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement%2 0-%20Mounting%20Bracket%20Installation%201%20of%203. png

Align the mounting bracket and push it through the handle casing.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/kenandkristine/Viper/Viper%20Club%20DIY/Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement/GEN%20II%20Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement%2 0-%20Mounting%20Bracket%20Installation%202%20of%203. png

Attach the hex nut.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/kenandkristine/Viper/Viper%20Club%20DIY/Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement/GEN%20II%20Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement%2 0-%20Mounting%20Bracket%20Installation%203%20of%203. png

Position the bracket in place and start each bolt. Tighten the bolts (5/16").

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/kenandkristine/Viper/Viper%20Club%20DIY/Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement/GEN%20II%20Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Replacement%2 0-%20New%20Hood%20Release%20Handle%20Installed.png

Installed.

[GBS]

Great write up as always! The billet release looks good!

[Vprbite]

LIG's write ups are great.

Hey who made the billit handle?

[LifeIsGood]

Mark Johnson at IPSCO (http://www.ipsco.org/) made it, but I'm almost positive he doesn't make them anymore due to lack of demand.

[Fatboy 18]

Shame in a way that the nice Hood writing is not angled along the front edge as being honest, with the car so low it's not something that's seen :(

Thanks for posting LIG, another brilliant how to guide :)

[Vprbite]

Mark Johnson at IPSCO (http://www.ipsco.org/) made it, but I'm almost positive he doesn't make them anymore due to lack of demand.

I should have guessed. It is a great looking part.

[AZTVR]

Mark Johnson at IPSCOmade it, but I'm almost positive he doesn't make them anymore due to lack of demand.


I should have guessed. It is a great looking part.

If someone wanted one, I would suggest contacting Jon at Partsrack (Viperpartsrack.com) . This was a part that Dave C of Dave's Big Brakes sold and Jon took over that business from his son. Perhaps he still has them in stock, or would want to get another batch produced, especially now that cars are getting older and plastic things start to get some age on them and are more likely to fail.