What do you call the cross member under the hood that the hood latches onto? Is that the strut tower brace? I need to find one at a junk yard and I don't want to call around asking for that thingy that the hood fastens to. thanks!

 

It is call a Striker.
Why Junk yard? most junk yard don't want to sell you it because they want to sell the entire hood.
Just call your local Dealer, it should be very cheap.

 

I'll be needing a hood also. I can get that off ebay for about $150 shipped, but I'm looking to go cheaper. But, it's not the hardware I'm needing - the part I'm talking about is the actual cross member that goes all the way across the engine compartment, that the striker mounts to.

 

Sounds to me like you are referring to the radiator core support. It is probably spot welded to the front fender supports making it part of the unibody.

 

looks like it's attached to the fender supports with 2 bolts on each side. so this structural cross brace right behind and above the radiator is the radiator core support, then?

 

Yes thats at least what I've always heard it called

 

What year is your van? This way i can look it up.

 

O, yeah, that's the Upper Radiator support.

I thought you meant the Anchor that's on the Hood.

 

it's a 2007.