hood latch! not LOL
 

Was getting ready to do the 2nd TB, h2o pump and associated pulleys on my wife's '99 ext cab Taco w/ 3.4. A hood that will not release put the brakes on this project. I cut part of the grill away so I could get to the latch and remove three 10mm mounting bolts (had to purchase a 1/4" swivel to reach the top two). Removed the bolts but only gained about 3/4" (barely able to get my fingers in. I can see catch ON THE HOOD and hook on the latch and didn't have any luck poking w/screw driver. I kept running over to my truck (89 ext cab) w/ the hood up (hood latch looks identical) trying to understand how it worked and I sorta do but still no luck releasing. I did "the search" until I came down w/ blurry eyes. Never had this problem w/ my truck which I purchased new.
Any helpful suggestion would be appreciated. thanks

Did the cable snap? Generally the cable runs to some kind of lever. You want to follow the cable and then pull on whatever it is/was attached to, it will take some force. Should pop open.

on my wife's 2000 4runner the cable separated from the handle under the dash.

i simply reattached it.

did you check that???

joel