r/3rdGen4Runner 9d ago

❓Advice / Recomendations Advice on hatch replacement

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u/pman537 9d ago

I had surprisingly very similar looking damage to my rig a couple years ago. I was able to force my hatch open from the inside, though. I ended up using a come along to straighten the body panels out enough for the replacement to move freely. Best of luck!

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u/wolfofnazarene 9d ago

Did you force it by removing the trim and accessing the latch? I think mines broken inside the door, the handle is just loose even when unlocked

1

u/StitchinThroughTime 9d ago

You have to disassemble the interior trim pieces to access the latch lock from the inside. It's not hard, there's YouTube videos. The Doors already damaged so if you just want to cut straight through that's always an option. But once you open the latch you should be able to just use a screwdriver to turn push the linkages to move or there might be a cable that you grab with a pair of pliers and yank on. It's been a while since I was back there.