Custom Hatch

[Lewa1200]

Hey guys. I did this fairly simple body work mod to delete the rear wiper (which had broke) from my 2nd gen mountaineer.

http://i.imgur.com/oUCmGSS.jpg

I basically stuck some steel plates with JB weld to the inside of the holes, did some bondo work, and then painted over.The paint job is not very good and I hope to redo it in the future. Though I thought the end result was fairly good and it makes my mountaineer pretty unique.


Just wanted to know what you guys thought about this--feedback, comments, etc.--since I've only seen it done a couple of times). Would something like this hurt or benefit the resale value?

 

[Anime]

Looks nice. Also seems like it would look good with clear or altezza rear lenses, though you'd be pressed to find quality units. The later Mountaineers have clear taillamps from the factory and look good - and are also completely legal since the red reflectors on the tailgate and bumper meet the red reflector requirement of federal and state laws.

Shaving the wiper and other items looks cool, especially since a lot of people don't even realize something has been taken away, but it probably hurts the resale value in general since you've removed a functional feature, the rear wiper, that is useful in certain situations, and will be instantly noticeable to a driver when they hit the rear wiper switch but nothing happens. There is also now nothing to wiper away the washer fluid if the rear washer fluid nozzle still works and the reservoir still has fluid in it. Shaving is nice for show vehicles, but even minor shaving, other than emblems and cosmetic items, usually messes with otherwise useful features for something that sees daily use, especially in all seasons and a variety of weather conditions.

The bondo will eventually crack off though, and the JB weld might hold, but it's not nearly as good as a real cut & welded on filler panel.

On the plus side, that should make it fairly easy to remove and replace with the wiper again if you decide to.

 

[Stic-o]

Could have just got a gate from a newer Sport, as they moved it up to the glass.

 

[Lewa1200]

Thanks Anime for that detailed post. Even though its a pretty clean mod, like other modifications, I thought that it would kinda hurt me now that I'm looking to sell the car. You're right that it's kinda awkward that the rear wiper button is useless now. If the bondo cracks anytime soon, I'll be sure to stick a new wiper on there haha.

Stic-o, I like the look of that hatch...a lot cleaner than what's on the stock 2nd gens

 

[vroomzoomboom]

Could have just got a gate from a newer Sport, as they moved it up to the glass.

this was what i did when i smashed my gate backing into a overhead door frame. the insurance popped for a new gate, and the body shop was able to get it for me (my truck is a 98, the gate was from a 01 -03). they come with no molding holes on the bottom new as well.

 

[MONMIX]

there is a HOW TO on how I did mine above in the stickey section.

yes WELDING is by far the best way to do it.
LFMF