Rear Hatch/Trunk Won't Open-1997 L400

[MuiceJuice603]

Hey guys,

I have a 97 l400 that now has its rear door/hatch/boot/trunk stuck! The handle moves freely and sounds like it is no longer connected to the actuator rod inside the door panel.

Anyone have any experience taking off the panels from the inside? Any tips as to not cause so much damage?


I'm honestly thinking about using a diagram to cut an "access panel" in the plastic to the rough location of the handle/actuator. Hoping that might save the entire back panel if it's a particularly risky job.


Biggest question: anybody know where I could also find some replacement plastic clips before I get started on this project?
Really want to have all my ducks in a row before I tear apart the back half of the van.

Thanks!

 

[BSP64]

I have 97 L400 also. I’ve had the interior panel off the tail gate earlier this summer. However, I took it off with the tailgate open, so I can’t speak to how it’ll come off from the inside. It’s similar to any other interior panel with plastic trim clips holding it. One thing to note there’s’ actually 2 types of clips used on the panel. Both come out fairly easy using a trim removal tool. As I recall the clips are maybe 1”ish in from the edge of the panel then every 6 – 8” spacing around the panel.

The attached link shows the clips for the tailgate panel they're item #68773D & #68773B on the drawing.
https://mitsubishi.epc-data.com/del...r/tailgate-trim/287197/?frame_no=PD8W-0204811

68773B - Part No. MB317746

68773D – Part No. MR250049. Is a 2 part clip the white piece is supposed to stay in the metal frame and the black section is supposed to pop out of the white piece, on mine about half of them worked that way the other half both pieces came out with the panel. On the other clip style about half of them came out without breaking the other half the plastic stem broke.

You can search using those part numbers to see if you can find them.

Or I have seen 68773D – Part No. MR250049 on the Coombs Country Auto’s website. New Parts - Mitsubishi - Delica - Page 17 - Coombs Country Autos (ccautos.ca)

I think 68773B - Part No. MB317746 is also on CCA’s website, but they have 2 different clips that look similar and I’m not sure which one is correct as they don’t list the Mitsubishi part no. I think this is the other clip on CCA’s website New Parts - Mitsubishi - Delica - Page 6 - Coombs Country Autos (ccautos.ca)

I knew I was going to be taking that panel off to do some sound proofing in my tailgate. Knowing that I ordered them directly from Amayama as part of a larger order I placed with them.

Buy Genuine Mitsubishi MB317746 Clip. Prices, fast shipping, photos, weight - Amayama

https://www.amayama.com/en/part/mitsubishi/mr250049

Also wondering if you could start popping the panel by utilizing the 2 small access panels on either side of the tailgate?

Hope this helps you out some. Good luck

 

[MuiceJuice603]

Wow this is incredible thanks so much for the info! Exactly what Im looking for

 

[thelazygreenfox]

MJ and BSP
Years ago I removed the rear tailgate panel . Not because the TG was stuck but because I wanted to exit from the rear instead of through the noisy sliding door.

Same end result along with the stress of not knowing if the TG panel was even removeable. Years later the panel is still not completely attached. No problem as I hardly ever look at the panel when it's raised. I found It takes 2 people to reattach the panel, one inside pushing and one outside with the TG slightly open. Even then it's a pita.

Even with new clips it's difficult to space out the panel to get the clips to enter the holes. Try to save the old clips but that's a dream. Yup BSP, order new ones b4 you start.

Now for my inside tail gate opener.
With the panel off run a fine cable vertical off the opening latch to a small pulley then horizontal right to the tail light access panel.

I used stainless fishing cable and copper pinch clips to hold the system together. Slip the line through the clips and squeeze tight. At the light access panel make a big loop through plastic tubing and squeeze a cable clip to close off the hand sized loop. Hide it behind the cover when not needed.

When you're trying to get out of the van in the middle of the night in a campground it's nice to be quiet. Or even if you want some fresh air pull on the loop and open the TG from the inside. There's little battery drain on the dash light and you can turn off the rear lights b4 opening the TG.

I always wondered why Mitsubishi never had an inside TG opener option on the Delicas (400s). I only tried this on my L400s (2) and not my original L300.

Stainless cable and the pinch clips can be found in any fishing store and small cheap pullies in a local hardware store.

Have fun
Wayne