Ok guys, I have a 86 T/A with that P.O.S. motorized hatch lock, well since I have had the car I have never gotton that thing to work and my hatch DOESN'T lock..... well I'm using all my money to put this new motor (355 Stealth Ram) in my car so I don't have the money to buy a new or rebuilt motorized hatch lock.... so I found a manual lock out of a 84 f body on craigslist and my questions are can I put this in my 86 and do away with the motorized lock and if so i have a few questions about the swap???....


Is it a hard swap?
How Long Does it take?
What tools will be needed besides the basics?

Thanks......

DJ

 

If you got a complete assembly, ought to be a straight swap. It'll need adjusted some to reduce squeeking that the motorized hatch removes automatically by pulling it tight.

The motorized units are not all that complicated - once you get it out you might actually be able to see what's wrong with it and correct it. Most of the time it's a simple issue and not that expensive to repair (if any expense). TDS sells repair parts and rebuild kits. It's ust that they are fragile and cannot be slammed. If you get it fixed and put it back in, some tips are 1) never let anyone else close your hatch, 2) always use the release switch and not the key, and 3) never apply anymore preesure to close it than what it needs to just catch and start the motor working.

 

Do u know what the complete assembly consists of
Because I don't think I have it...... I just have what kinda looks like the motorized one but without motor and wires and what not......

Here's a link to exactly what it is I have

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...9732&viewitem=



Is this all I need for the swap or am I missing something??

 

No, the 82-85 manual latches are not a direct swap. The later cars have a completely different bracket welded to the body.

 

X2 on the fix. I have found that emergency repair procedure for one that is not obviously broken (No cracked housing or jammed gear) is to HOSE it down with wd-40 and use a small paintbrush to clean it off. Others will have other brands of cleaner, but I find that I ALWAYS have a can of wd-40 around...

 

You can do the swap, but it is going to take some fab work to get it done. The easiest way to fix your problem is to manipulate the assembly until you can get your hatch to close properly and then leave it unplugged. The downside to that is that you will not be able to use the remote hatch release switch.

 

Exactly. All you need to do is get the Latch and Mounitng Bracket that is Spot Welded to the Body off of a 82-85 Car, and Weld it in place of the Exisitng.

All in all it took my buddy and I about a 1/2 hour total. 100% Glad I did it (did it in 04), and wish I would have done it sooner.

In the Future any 86-92 Car I get (want a 91-92 Vert) This WILL be done 1st Thing!