Pic's of rear hatch repair

[Regardful]

I pulled the rusted top hatch this past weekend and started the repair process. The original hatch was so bad that I picked up a used hatch in good shape, prepped and painted it, and cleaned, lubricated and re-installed the internals (wiper motor, lock mechanism, etc.). Pulling and re-installing the rear window was a real PITA, but the end result turned out great!

I've also included a picture of the truck.

 

[loeky]

good job on the work. looks almost new again.

kinda like that color too, what is it?

 

[Regardful]

good job on the work. looks almost new again.

kinda like that color too, what is it?

It's the original Champaign color. I took the truck down to the local paint store I deal with and had them ChromaVision, computerized color match, the vehicle. I then had them mix up some Dupont Chromabase color which I sprayed, along with a little clear.

 

[CruisinTiger]

Did you have any other rust on that cruiser? That thing is pretty, funny it had rust on the hatch but no where else. Nice paint job.

 

[hammer1]

and you did this over ONE weekend? you either have no kids, or a very supportive better half.
it takes me a month to do a tune up.

 

[Regardful]

Did you have any other rust on that cruiser? That thing is pretty, funny it had rust on the hatch but no where else. Nice paint job.

There is some minor rust on a few places, which I'll be fixing soon, but overall the truck is in great shape. It was interesting that only the top hatch rusted. When I pulled it off I found that the drain holes on both sides were full of junk, and the small plastic tube that feeds the rear wiper sprayer was torn in two (possibly spraying washer fluid into the inside of the hatch).

BTW, the inside looks just as good as the outside. New carpet, seat foam, seat covers, etc. Only thing left to do there is replace the cracked dashpad.

 

[Regardful]

and you did this over ONE weekend? you either have no kids, or a very supportive better half.
it takes me a month to do a tune up.

I have the the best of both worlds, two supportive kids, and one very supportive wife. They all know the satisfaction I get from making something better than it was when I started on it. The wife also figures it's better that I spend some of my free time working on a vehicle, rather than drinking or chasing other women. Gotta love her for that!

BTW, from start to finish the job only took about six hours. I did the removal, prep and paint work Friday evening, and put it all back togehter Saturday. The best part was I still had Sunday for family day!

 

[Jman]

Wow, good work. Yeah, that's where the wiper hose breaks, right above that rust.

Anyway, that truck is NOYCE!