86 B2 rear hatch HELP

[BBronk]

Got panel off, of course the whole assembly needs replaced, and I can physically move the unlock rods, BUT the dang jaws around the striker will NOT move from closed position..
Can I lube and pry them open?

 

[RonD]

We have a sister site, Bronco Corral which may have more info

Tech Library page is here: https://www.broncocorral.com/tech_library/

Yes, best bet is to lube and see if you can get them to move/release

 

[4x4prepper]

I forget how I got mine off, it has been 6+ years, I will have to go out tomorrow/Saturday and take a look as I never put my panel back. Prying the jaws apart is the wrong answer, fwiw. At the worse you might have to do a little fiberglass drilling and remove the post with the torx bit.

 

[BBronk]

I forget how I got mine off, it has been 6+ years, I will have to go out tomorrow/Saturday and take a look as I never put my panel back. Prying the jaws apart is the wrong answer, fwiw. At the worse you might have to do a little fiberglass drilling and remove the post with the torx bit.

Finally got it open, lots of lube, shoving rods back and forth, and yanking it open. Alas, pulling back the rug reveals a crap ton of rust. Needs to be done I guess...thanks for your help!

 

[BBronk]

This sucks

 

[RonD]

Yes, I would say that was a little damp for a few......................DECADES, lol

 

[Uncle Gump]

Oh...

I'm so glad the one I bought is pretty damn clean. Was worth the price to have it shipped.

You aren't even from the rust belt...

 

[BBronk]

Oh...

I'm so glad the one I bought is pretty damn clean. Was worth the price to have it shipped.

You aren't even from the rust belt...

This was my vehicle in college, been in the barn at my parents since I parked it in 1990. Guess the barn leaked. Bad. Still only have 68k. and gonna do a frame off eventually, just gotta stop the rust temporarily. May just grind sand and patch and coat with.bed liner...nah, I'm from the roadkill belt..lol

 

[4x4prepper]

It is bad, BUT, not that bad to fix. Replace all the body mounts, do a 3" body lift, and repair the seam. Though for now I guess you could just pop rivet something in.

 

[Bronco ii Man]

4x4prepper has a plan that sounds like it would work! As far as the rust it’s fixable, just don’t wait a couple of more decade’s lol!