I just finished trying to put an 89 hatch on an 87 Bird and it didn't fit. All the measurements that I could think of taking were the same, but it still would not work. Can anyone tell me why not? Thanks!

 

what exactly is preventing it from lining up right? it should fit fine..

 

Did you flip the hinges by accident? They will fit the same.

 

The back of the hatch hung over the body by about 1/2 inch. Everything was bolted up right. All I can think is that maybe between 87 and 89 they made the body 1/2 longer or something? Who knows...the hold hatch is back on and it fits fine.

 

Loosen the bolts and push it forward- its becuase your struts are pushing up/back (what they were designed to do). The body is not 1/2" longer on the later models.

 

The struts weren't yet connected at this point. Thanks though.

 

Push it forward then. They are identical, I did an 89 to 86 swap a few months ago without issues.

 

it'll work, just need to mess around with it