Opening the rear hatch from the inside...

[beachdetector]

Hello,
I'm new here...Just got my 2001 Explorer Sport last month and I love it.
I was going to use it to go camping...I put the back seats down and climbed in the back to size it up...I closed the rear hatch and then realized there is no way to open the hatch from the inside...I had to push the passenger seat forward and crawl out the passenger door.
Is there some way to make a latch/handle to open the rear hatch or window from the inside?
Thanks,
Joe

 

[EBInterceptor]

Not that I know of in any of the generations. But if it makes you feel better, a lot of later gens have switches to lock the doors in the rear end.

 

[MONMIX]

that is funny the exact same thing happened to me last fall.
I just crawled over the seat and made a mental note to not do that again.

 

[mr. kigglius]

You could install a solenoid from a shaved door handle kit then hardwire a switch and mount it somewhere in the back. for all practical purposes this would work the same as a latch, just an idea.

 

[Hotweels]

You could install a solenoid from a shaved door handle kit then hardwire a switch and mount it somewhere in the back. for all practical purposes this would work the same as a latch, just an idea.

pretty sure someone on the board has done this allready........

 

[Positive Vibes]

I just pop the window open, close the door and lower the window. It closes enough to keep out the big bugs and you can still crawl out.

 

[Crankcase]

I just pop the window open, close the door and lower the window. It closes enough to keep out the big bugs and you can still crawl out.

Well, in that case you could turn the outside handle and open the whole gate instead of climbing out! LOL

 

[SiLenZe]

we dont have a handle sticking out of the hatch like that. ours is way at the bottom tucked up under by the licence plate.

 

[Crankcase]

You still could rech over and pull the little latch thing though...try it....

 

[cantspell]

Can we some how make a handle, or latch from the inside? I've taken of the 'skin' of the rear hatch, and it seems to be a simple latch...maybe we could weld something to it that can be pulled from the inside?

 

[Stic-o]

You could probally just rig up a handle on the inside too, so they both work. Maybe from a 80-96 FS Bronco They had the handle on the inside!

 

[general x]

fold the seats down so you can sleep in there and exit the rear doors, Your plannin on sleeping in the x right? Well if you are im sure your taller than 2 feet