1976 fj55 rear hatch question

[kpfoten]

Hello!

Ive got a 76 fj55 and I can’t open the rear hatch. I took the rear panel off and see where the handle pulls the rods on each side—the mechanism is very rusty. I’m wondering how I could pop this open manually with a lever or screwdriver? I can get some movement on each side but not enough. I just don’t want to break anything!

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I assume the glass is either down or out?

 

[kpfoten]

Well, after tearing into it around 11:30p last night, where’s what I had to do:

1. After panel removal, disconnect wires to the power window motor from the electrical panel beneath.
2. Remove spring, and retaining clip from left side of power lift assembly. Remove 4 mounting bolts (10mm socket).
3. Carefully roll out lift assembly from left and right window channels and remove assembly.
4. Plenty of PB blaster on the left and right latch mechanisms from inside.
5. I removed the rods from the frozen latch mechanism (kept the functioning side rod attached) (1 10mm socket each side If needed)
6. One latch mechanism was so rusted I had to take a flat head screwdriver and pry it up (it stayed)
7. Carefully lower glass down into tailgate. My track felt was bad so it stayed in place without chopping my fingers off while I did all of this.
8. Open tailgate. I had to tap a bit to get it to drop. The lower hinges were rusted.
9. Carefully remove lower window track from window and slide rear window up and out of gate.

Mines gonna need a lot of repair! But at least it’s open. I’ve been slowly bringing this pig back from the dead!