Anyone build a door handle for the inside of the rear hatch

jeepin_idaho · Jan 24, 2013

I'd like to be able to open my rear hatch from the inside so that I can sleep in the back while camping. I have a 2 door and I know I could just climb up to the front seat and crawl out the door but is tough when you wake up in the middle of the night and you've gotta take a leak.

I've got an idea of how it could be done, but I was wondering if anyone else has tried this and has pictures.

Dan
http://th4x4podcast.com

Brambles · Jan 24, 2013

sounds like a good idea, I'll keep checkin in to see your progress

ehall · Jan 24, 2013

Never really thought about it. What year?

ktm racer 419 · Jan 25, 2013

on a 97+ xj there is a rod that kinda sticks up, and when you pull it, the hatch will open from the inside. I put a hole using a hole saw right above it, so i could get at it in the case my exterior handle breaks off or something. should be easy to make something from that.

as for an earlier hatch, not so sure, i usually kept my trim panel off on those because they rattled around so damn much

Tim_MN · Jan 25, 2013

Attach some wire rope to the tailgate operating rod, drill a hole in the plastic trim, feed the wire rope through the hole, and put a ring on the end of the wire rope.

Pull the ring, and the tailgate opens.

hubs97xj · Jan 25, 2013

Pics showing the aforementioned hatch release addition.
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1042779

i973eat1 · Jan 25, 2013

Awesome! I actually was going to ask this same question eventually. It is a lot better than crawling over the seats of a 2door at night.

otla · Jan 25, 2013

Great idea!

I've been crawling out of a 2 door as well...
Anyone have a source for the interior trim on the rear gate?

xjintx · Jan 25, 2013

When I drove an Xterra we had the same issue. Nissan actually sold / sells a nice handle with the steel cable that we clamped on to the rod. Worked GREAT!!!

karstic · Jan 25, 2013

hubs97xj said:
Pics showing the aforementioned hatch release addition.
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1042779

Thanks for that link. I'm.having issues with the rear hatch on my 97.

Anyone build a door handle for the inside of the rear hatch

jeepin_idaho

NAXJA Forum User

Brambles

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ehall

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ktm racer 419

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Tim_MN

Freakish Hand Strength

hubs97xj

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i973eat1

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otla

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xjintx

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karstic

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