Rear hatch interchangibility?

[VWbaja10]

That O2 picture above is an interesting combination of Explorer parts. That one doesn't have a 2nd gen roof rack, the whole side and roof area looks like a 3rd gen. But the hatch does look like a 2nd gen Sport hatch, which a 2dr only 2002 part, same as the 01-03 2nd gen Sports.

So if it is that, the bottom trim you need to decide on before buying it. That trim is held on but lots of holes behind it in the hatch. Either use that trim for your 2000 truck, or remove it and plan what to do with the holes. That wiper in glass was only in the mid 2002 and 2003 Sports.

What are you referring to about bottom trim?

 

[VWbaja10]

That O2 picture above is an interesting combination of Explorer parts. That one doesn't have a 2nd gen roof rack, the whole side and roof area looks like a 3rd gen. But the hatch does look like a 2nd gen Sport hatch, which a 2dr only 2002 part, same as the 01-03 2nd gen Sports.

So if it is that, the bottom trim you need to decide on before buying it. That trim is held on but lots of holes behind it in the hatch. Either use that trim for your 2000 truck, or remove it and plan what to do with the holes. That wiper in glass was only in the mid 2002 and 2003 Sports.

Are you talking about this panel that says mountaineer on it? If so I can swap that over from mine onto the new panel.

 

[CDW6212R]

What are you referring to about bottom trim?

I'm referring to the very tall trim that is on that 02 Sport hatch shown on the prior page. Those are bigger than the trim on the Mountaineer that you have, which is like my 98 Mountaineer. Those all have holes in the hatch which the trim piece uses for clips that hold it on. I don't know if the holes will be in exactly the same places for your old trim to match what the Sport trim uses. If the holes don't line up, you will be needing to drill new ones, and fill old holes, plus there may be some high up which are not covered by the old trim you have.

I was thinking of buying a Sport hatch to replace my 98 hatch, because mine is from Milwaukee and has rust in the bottom edge(the body seam). But I didn't like the idea of a different hatch with more holes than I already had, with some high up and visible(I'd swap my Mercury trim).

If your hatch is structural sound with no rust, I'd first find a way to remove it, and then see if it's better to keep it. How much did you lubricate the hatch release handle? Mine was sticking about 10-15 years ago, and I bought a new latch kit, before lubricating the old one. It didn't take long to work my old one free, and it has worked like new since. Maybe yours is just stuck really badly, work with it gently and see what you can do. The side latch units are obsolete like most everything, but they also need lubricating. The main handle mechanism on mine was what was sticking sometimes(the handle would not do anything about half of the time).

 

[VWbaja10]

I'm referring to the very tall trim that is on that 02 Sport hatch shown on the prior page. Those are bigger than the trim on the Mountaineer that you have, which is like my 98 Mountaineer. Those all have holes in the hatch which the trim piece uses for clips that hold it on. I don't know if the holes will be in exactly the same places for your old trim to match what the Sport trim uses. If the holes don't line up, you will be needing to drill new ones, and fill old holes, plus there may be some high up which are not covered by the old trim you have.

I was thinking of buying a Sport hatch to replace my 98 hatch, because mine is from Milwaukee and has rust in the bottom edge(the body seam). But I didn't like the idea of a different hatch with more holes than I already had, with some high up and visible(I'd swap my Mercury trim).

If your hatch is structural sound with no rust, I'd first find a way to remove it, and then see if it's better to keep it. How much did you lubricate the hatch release handle? Mine was sticking about 10-15 years ago, and I bought a new latch kit, before lubricating the old one. It didn't take long to work my old one free, and it has worked like new since. Maybe yours is just stuck really badly, work with it gently and see what you can do. The side latch units are obsolete like most everything, but they also need lubricating. The main handle mechanism on mine was what was sticking sometimes(the handle would not do anything about half of the time).View attachment 437063

The whole latch mechanism is jacked on mine. My buddy got it like that and I inherited the issue cause it never got fixed.

 

[Stic-o]

I have the piece that goes over the license plate if you need one.

 

[VWbaja10]

I have the piece that goes over the license plate if you need one.

I’ll keep that in mind thanks, but I think my Mercury one will fit or atleast hoping so

 

[1.8TTony]

Wait.......the tail light/turn signal housings.

In the pic below, you see the housing on the right, the amber color section of that tail light lens is the turn signal. This bulb is off until you activate the turn signal.


The housing on the left does not have an amber colored section. No big deal, but how does the turn signal behave? Does the entire tail light flash on/off, on/off to indicate turn signal status or does the light brighten up using the brake light circuit to indicate turn signal status? Or is there another bulb in the housing which lights up on/off, on/off behind the red lens to indicate turn signal status?

Some things to think about.

You ever see some trailer wire harness connectors which have four wires, some have five wires........this is the difference, .......are the brake light bulbs used to indicate turn signal status or are there two extra electrical circuits dedicated to left/ right turn signal status?

 

[VWbaja10]

Wait.......the tail light/turn signal housings.

In the pic below, you see the housing on the right, the amber color section of that tail light lens is the turn signal. This bulb is off until you activate the turn signal.


The housing on the left does not have an amber colored section. No big deal, but how does the turn signal behave? Does the entire tail light flash on/off, on/off to indicate turn signal status or does the light brighten up using the brake light circuit to indicate turn signal status? Or is there another bulb in the housing which lights up on/off, on/off behind the red lens to indicate turn signal status?

Some things to think about.

You ever see some trailer wire harness connectors which have four wires, some have five wires........this is the difference, .......are the brake light bulbs used to indicate turn signal status or are there two extra electrical circuits dedicated to left/ right turn signal status?

Tail light function shouldn’t change just from swapping the rear hatch. And I would think some type of dual bulb with flasher is used for the light off the donor vehicle. But I shouldn’t need to swap tail lights and if you compare the tail light shape, my 2000 has a curve joining the body panel vs the 2002 donor is more straight.

 

[VWbaja10]

Picked up the new rear hatch, glass, and hatch struts. Also was able to snag a center console top and a spare grill for my project truck all for $80.

 

[Mr. Alligator]

Looks great! If you do have any trouble with the wiring between models, you might be able to swap in your old hatch wiring harness.

Good luck, and thanks for the progress update.

 

[VWbaja10]

Looks great! If you do have any trouble with the wiring between models, you might be able to swap in your old hatch wiring harness.

Good luck, and thanks for the progress update.

Thanks, I’m gonna get this one painted first then I’ll do the swap. Hopefully I won’t have to mess with the wire harness

 

[CDW6212R]

Compare the wiring of both hatches. I swapped the wiring from my 99 broken hatch to my 93 hatch, using a 1995-97 wiper motor. The 02 wiring will be very close to your 2000, maybe identical. Look closely at the wiring and rubber plug where it goes into the hatch, that the place where they changed things often when stuff changed in the hatch. The wiper hose should match, but you can mix the parts as needed.

 

[VWbaja10]

Compare the wiring of both hatches. I swapped the wiring from my 99 broken hatch to my 93 hatch, using a 1995-97 wiper motor. The 02 wiring will be very close to your 2000, maybe identical. Look closely at the wiring and rubber plug where it goes into the hatch, that the place where they changed things often when stuff changed in the hatch. The wiper hose should match, but you can mix the parts as needed.

Thanks I’ll watch for that on the wiring. Just need to figure out paint, either take it somewhere or just buy the paint have a buddy spray it

 

[97Sandbox]

I went the opposite direction with my hatch swap, replacing a bent hatch on my '00 for a straight one off my '97 that I scrapped. The only wiring difference was the wire for license plate bulbs -- all of the other wires were same color coding between the '97 and '00 harnesses I had. That said, some connectors had to be re-pinned to get the wires in the right spots. I posted more detail and pictures in this thread. Hope it goes similarly for you!

 

[239]

Does anyone have the part number for the lift gate glass on a 2002 sport? I want to swap the glass on my 2000.

 

[CDW6212R]

You hatch glass would not have the wiper in it, any 1998-2001 glass will fit. But if you do want that glass wiper, you'll need the wiring also, and it'll have to come from a 2003 or mid year 2002 Sport.

 

[239]

You hatch glass would not have the wiper in it, any 1998-2001 glass will fit. But if you do want that glass wiper, you'll need the wiring also, and it'll have to come from a 2003 or mid year 2002 Sport.

My plan is to use the glass with the wiper and put a camera in the current wiper location. I don’t mind the wiring but it will be easier to find the glass with a part number.

 

[CDW6212R]

I agree, I was just being sure. I bought a Kenwood rear camera for my Lincoln that's a license plate frame, it was about $90 10+ years ago. I hadn't thought about what kind of alarm to use in my 98 project(using a MACH HU).

A camera, or two or more in the car these days, is a wise idea for everyone.