Rear hatch
#1
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On my 01 the rear hatch that you have to open to get at the spare tire winch, busted out around the latch handle.somehow I misplaced the latch. I had saved it at the time, always planning on fixing it.
but as the Durango since sat nearly 3 years as I replaced the engine and had to replace it again a whole 6 miles later things got lost.
Its back among the living once again and I was reminded of that pos busted out particleboard hatch. The plan all along was to make a new one out of real plywood.
My main question is about the carpet it appears to be glued to the hatch. If I get it separated from the original particleboard hatch how can I reattach it to the new hatch? I was at the junkyard this morning and got another hatch and latch but I just cut the carpet on the donor from the junkyard because the carpet on the donor was a way different color than mine. I don't want to cut my original carpet but peel it off the busted hatch.
the junkyard one was soaked anyways itlli work to donate it's latch and as a template to cut out a new hatch out of real plywood.
I have had a piece of particleboard sitting on top of the cargo area since I have owned the durango, in order to protect that carpet.
but as the Durango since sat nearly 3 years as I replaced the engine and had to replace it again a whole 6 miles later things got lost.
Its back among the living once again and I was reminded of that pos busted out particleboard hatch. The plan all along was to make a new one out of real plywood.
My main question is about the carpet it appears to be glued to the hatch. If I get it separated from the original particleboard hatch how can I reattach it to the new hatch? I was at the junkyard this morning and got another hatch and latch but I just cut the carpet on the donor from the junkyard because the carpet on the donor was a way different color than mine. I don't want to cut my original carpet but peel it off the busted hatch.
the junkyard one was soaked anyways itlli work to donate it's latch and as a template to cut out a new hatch out of real plywood.
I have had a piece of particleboard sitting on top of the cargo area since I have owned the durango, in order to protect that carpet.
Last edited by volaredon; 12-22-2019 at 04:27 PM.
#3
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I don't think a solvent would be a good idea, as it would likely eat the carpet as well. Maybe warm it with a heat gun, and see if it will soften the glue enough to get it to release. Either that, or a putty knife, with a VERY sharp edge, and use that to separate the carpet, from the board.