Vehicle hood support and latch system

The present invention relates generally to releasably connecting a vehicle enclosure to a frame of the vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to a hood and fender assembly mounting system for connecting a forwardly tiltable hood and fender assembly of a heavy duty truck to a frame of the vehicle and assisting in the opening and closing of the hood and fender assembly. A hood and fender assembly mounting and latch system for use with an over-the-highway tractor having a frame supporting an engine, a cab and a hood and fender assembly. A hinge pivotally connects the hood and fender assembly to the frame. A hex-shaped torsion bar and damper are used to assist in the opening and closing of the hood and fender assembly. The latch system includes a receiver assembly attached to the frame. A pin assembly is attached to the hood and fender assembly at a distal location relative to the hinge. The receiver assembly receives the pin assembly when the hood and fender assembly is in a position enclosing the engine and locates and maintains the hood and fender assembly in a predetermined position relative to the frame, independent of the cab. The receiver assembly has a lock lever which is movable between a latched position at which it engages the pin assembly and an unlatched position. A movable handle is located within the cab. A cable connects the handle with the lock lever to move the lock lever from the latched position to the unlatched position in response to movement of the handle.