How do you open the hood on a 1986 truck when the cable is broken?

There is no "Method or process" for doing this, as it depends on where the cable is broken at, and if you knew that, you could elimate everything up stream from there. I have had this problem, in the past, and all I can tell you, is sometimes you have to remove; the bumper, the grill, sometimes the A/C condenser and anything else that is in the way of getting to the latch assembly. A pair of those long ( and I mean long) needle nose pliers, can be worked into a position where they can grab the end of the cable or the latch. The hood can be opened, without destroying it, but it takes patience and persistance. Usually a few friends and a couple of 12 packs gets it done. Just think, after you win this battle, you'll have something else to eyeball, every time you open the hood...............GOOD LUCK