Newby. 86 B2..68k...5M...4X4

[BBronk]

Hey guys, 3 yrs ago retrieved my college driver from family barn.
She only had 55k on her, runs like a scalded ape.
Seems to have some interior rust issues thanks to the damn drip rail and dried side window seals. Other than the obvious "fix it now" issues, WHERE in the interior would you begin? And the stupid rear hatch won't open, so I have to get to her from the inside, exactly how? TIA

 

[franklin2]

First thing I would do is pull the seats and the carpet out. Then leave it like that to observe where the water is coming from, there are area around the firewall that are more common for leaks. I would be surprised if some of the water wasn't coming from somewhere else.

You can crawl in the back, take as many screws out that you can on the interior panel on the hatch, and then bend it down and reach in to unlatch the hatch.

 

[BBronk]

First thing I would do is pull the seats and the carpet out. Then leave it like that to observe where the water is coming from, there are area around the firewall that are more common for leaks. I would be surprised if some of the water wasn't coming from somewhere else.

You can crawl in the back, take as many screws out that you can on the interior panel on the hatch, and then bend it down and reach in to unlatch the hatch.

Came upon an issue...removed back panel and the rods are going back and forth but the jaws around the bolt won't open....thoughts?
And thank you very much!

 

[franklin2]

Has that rod come out? See the attached picture.

 

[BBronk]

Has that rod come out? See the attached picture.View attachment 77347

I got it open! Clamps were seized around the striker. It was a chore. And once pulled back carpet, tons of rust! Woohoo! Crap....

 

[franklin2]

My driver's side front floor was rusted. I will give you a hint, if you do a search for Bronco II and also Ranger front floorboard patch panels, you get more hits and more choices.

 

[BBronk]

Thanks! I'm seeing them online from 35-50 bucks. That's a little off still, just keeping it from getting worse. It's my daily driver right now, I've been researching ideas as to what to do with it, chop top with custom roll cage, leave as is just make it right, etc. Time and money, right? Lol temporarily, I may just take off the rear door and throw a damn tailgate net across it! No a/c anyway! It's always something.