Butt Swapping!

[sykikchimp]

Anyone know if the actual hatches are interchangable b/w all the S13's?  That would widen my Search through local Junkyards considerably.

My hatch is rusting out under the spoiler, and I was think I would just replace the whole thing.  I would like to get one with a glass with the defroster in working order b/c the tint guys scraped all my tint & defroster elements out at the same time.  Figure I could kill 2 birds with one stone.

Also, if anybody knows where I could find this, let me know.  

-charles

[ajbarnes1]

also... Anyone know how to remove the rear hatch?  How hard is it?

[drift freaq]

charles.. any Hatch from 89-93 will bolt onto your car . There were absolutely no changes in the rear body design of the S13 hatch.

Dave

[240sxracer]

it might be easier and cheaper to just cut out the rusted area and weld in new metal.

[sykikchimp]

thats what I thought, but the body shop said that would be good for a long term solution, because when you weld on metal that thin it is very easy to warp it, which makes it look trashy once your done painting it.  You look like you have waves on your trunk unless they do it perfect.

Thanks Drift.

[Coch240SX]

Changing the rear hatch isn't all that hard.  I just replaced mine because of the rust and the hardest part is just tearing out the interior to get to the wiring harnesses.  There's one on each side of the car behind the interior panels on the pillars.  To get the hatch itself off all you have to do is remove the header panel above the rear seat and pull the headliner down a bit and take off 4 nuts.  You'll need a buddy to hold the hatch up while you're taking the nuts off and to hold it so you can take the lift supports off but the hatch isn't heavy at all.  All in all it shouldn't take more than a couple of hours do change it over.

[sykikchimp]

cooool.  How much did you pay for the other hatch?

[Coch240SX]

I got it for about $100 at a junkyard.