haha you could use electronic poppers and get a DEI Viper 791XV (
http://www.directed.com) or updated version and possibly hook up an auxiliary controller to pop the hatch from the palm of your hand. Or you could route the mechanics of the latches to the inside. I'm assuming that's how that guy did it. I could be wrong. Maybe he did a long ass route to the front and mounted it next to his hood release?
Who knows...the possibilities are endless. IMO, I'd leave the T-handle, but pull the lock. Just seems like too much of a hassle to have to reroute your connection...
I like shaved panels. It puts mystery on what the vehicle is. I also thought it would be hilarious to badge my truck with a Nissan and SKYLINE emblem on the hatch just to mess with people.
Anyways good luck
OHH, by the way, if what I'm seeing is correct (I don't know if I have bad vision or it was the image quality) It looks like a dent behind the panel.
You have two options:
1. Cut it and weld a new panel (Not very fun and way too time consuming)
OR
2. Buy or rent a spot welder and pull the dents. Make sure it's a reliable on cause if it is a ****ty weld or too strong of a weld it can pull the tab off or rip the metal hehe.
After that I would smooth them out with plastic filler, sand, paint, polish, take pictures
