Gen 3 4Runner. Just bought it and noticing that when I drive highway speeds my hood lifts up an excessive amount at the front corners. It is definately latched into the primary latch, but I can pull it up by hand quite a bit, is this something that I can adjust easily? The weird thing is, that I have to slam it really hard to get it to latch. This is my second third gen (had a 98 for many years) so pretty familiar with how it should look/feel.

1996 4Runner Limited. Green/Tan Leather. 171k

 

There are two rubber bump stops on the front sides of the hood. Take a look at yours, you can adj the hieght of the bump stops just by turning them and that might solve your problem.

 

x2 screw them in deeper to allow the hood to close more.

 

x3 and do it soon. I had the lovely experience of my hood popping up while doing 70 mph on Sunday. Couldn't see anything while trying to get off the road and got rearended. Not fun....or cheap

 

I would check the latch mechanism too. Make sure that is tightly mounted still. Doesn't hurt to lube it up a bit too. You shouldn't have to slam it that hard.

 

I have replaced 2 hood release cables this year,one on my sister's 2000 4runner,and one on my friends 99' 4runner...he was slamming so hard on the hood he started to dent the front of it.....It would go down and not latch and as he drove it,the hood striker would stop at the saftey release.......

My $$$ is on a hood release cable binding....you can get by in making sure that the latch is going to engage by moving the cable at the latch with a screwdriver...Then shutting the hood.