Dodge Dakota- Need to bulid a hood extension latch due to new installed grills

[damjr5636]

Hello, I installed a new aluminum mesh grill into my 1997 dakota, the instructions that came with the kits were vague at best. Installed the grills okay but now I am not able to get to the hood release latch under the hood. The instructions said to drill a small hole, here I'll let you read it "SIDE NOTE: 97+ Dakota and Durango owners will
need to extend the hood latch because with the mesh installed it will not be
accessible. Drill a small hole up through the hood latch release lever. You can
purchase a 12" section of No. 6-32 threaded rod from the hardware store (The
weight of this item would make the increase in shipping charges more than its actual cost so I don't' include it in the kit). Run the rod up through the hole you drilled in
the release lever and cap it with a 6-32 cap nut. Where the rods hangs down screw a 1/2" aluminum coupler up from the bottom of the rod and also cap the bottom end
with a 6-32 cap nut. It works perfectly. Pop the hood, reach between the grill and the bumper, and that 1/2" coupler is real easy to grab onto and pull down." ------I
tried this but ended up breaking the 6/32 rod and I just could not picture hoew this thing was suppose to work. Does any one have any better ideas, pictures say a
thousand words so if you could some how sent me a schematice or detailed drawing of your idea or the idea mention above please send it to my email address:
[email protected]

[LiveDakota]

Here is a link to a site that has pictures and detailed instructions on how to relocate the hood latch. Hope it helps man.

http://www.chimptopia.com/pimptopia/grille3.html