98+ rear hatch 1/2 SKIN on 1st gen.

[Spdrcer34]

I have read that 98+ rear hatch won't 'bolt-on' to the 1st gen.

What about this:

Removing most of the lower skin off my 92 hatch, and grafting on the hatch skin from the 98+? Anyone tried it?

If it is possible (anything's possible, right?) how would I get the rods and actuators to work with the 92 door?

Anyone got any pics of the inner working of both a 1st gen, and 98+ hatch?

Ryan

 

[section525]

The hatch will bolt up. Its just a matter of getting the tail lights lookin good. If you've noticed the 2nd gen Explorer tail lights are curved into the rear 1/4 panels while the 1st gens are sqaure. So the door will bolt up but its just modding the tail lights to fit and look right. That would be way easier than grafting anything.

 

[Spdrcer34]

I can 'square up' the corners where the notches are for the lights....is it really THAT simple?

On my old Award winning `87 S-10 I shaved the door handles, tailgate, frenched in the tail lights, and frenched in the antenna on the B-pillar, I can do a little body work.........I can 'become one with the MIG' LOL

Ryan

 

[jimbo74]

the door will bolt on fine... the body lines at the lights are where there are issues... section525 did a comparison of a second and 3rd gen explorer before with the ligth pics, you might want to read that or search for it

 

[jimbo74]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71115&highlight=rear+hatch

here it is, this if for the second and third gen explroer, however the rear doors will bolt on fine.....