Need a very quick and easy favor... (pic of rear hatch)

[Code2]

WOW thats a whole lot of rust for a truck on the west coast hell it has more rust them my truck with is never washed and eaten away bay salt. :clock:

 

[dkyleb]

WOW thats a whole lot of rust for a truck on the west coast hell it has more rust them my truck with is never washed and eaten away bay salt. :clock:

I'm up in Canada. Sure wishing I was on the west coast after working in the garage tonight. Fricken cold.

 

[Code2]

I'm up in Canada. Sure wishing I was on the west coast after working in the garage tonight. Fricken cold.

I stand corrected then :biggrin2: I feel you on the cold part LOL

 

[Modern Color]

looks like a nightmare, If that little safety lever wont open it than ya your best bet is getting the bolts ground out. I have a mini belt sander tool that can access tight areas like that and grind out the bolts only.

The tool has like a half inch wide, and 10" long belt sandpaper in 36 grit that is handy at getting all those nasty places.

 

[smurray711]

Good job! Mine has seized as well. Been holding off on getting too crazy but I will source out a good pry bar and try with that.

I am sorry that you had to go through so much trouble but I have to be honest and say that I am happy to see someone do this because I fear I am in the same boat.

I think it really stems from the drains clogging up and water standing in the gate.

That said camping with a frozen gate sucks and I plan to fix mine by spring.

Once again, good job.

 

[dkyleb]

Good job! Mine has seized as well. Been holding off on getting too crazy but I will source out a good pry bar and try with that.

I am sorry that you had to go through so much trouble but I have to be honest and say that I am happy to see someone do this because I fear I am in the same boat.

I think it really stems from the drains clogging up and water standing in the gate.

That said camping with a frozen gate sucks and I plan to fix mine by spring.

Once again, good job.

If you can, try not to tear into yours like I did, it might be avoidable. Is your hatch mechanism still functioning? If so, simply get some penetrator spray in there. Then, remove the floor trim, and get a long pry bar between the hatch and the body. Have someone function the latch, while you pry.

I has to use a scary amount of force to get mine open, but did very minimal damage. All of which will be covered by plastics anyways.

 

[smurray711]

Still functioning. Just frozen. I used to be able to get in by pushing the door hard low down on the outside...but then I dented the door and stopped doing that.

All that said. I got back there a couple weeks ago and went pb crazy inside the mechanism trying to focus it down around the metal. Cars smells bad and mechanism is still frozen.

Thanks for the guidance and advice! I think the pry bar is the answer. I will update when I attempt later this week.

 

[dkyleb]

Still functioning. Just frozen. I used to be able to get in by pushing the door hard low down on the outside...but then I dented the door and stopped doing that.

All that said. I got back there a couple weeks ago and went pb crazy inside the mechanism trying to focus it down around the metal. Cars smells bad and mechanism is still frozen.

Thanks for the guidance and advice! I think the pry bar is the answer. I will update when I attempt later this week.

Believe it or not, there is something better than PB. After working on rusted, northern trucks for the past few years, this is my go to stuff:

ATF+Acetone.

Do a quick google and you'll see a lot of positive results. I even saw a report of some scientific study that found it to be 30% more powerful than PB or whatever else.

 

[Modern Color]

I'll have to try that out, PB Sucks sometimes