Hatch is stuck shut. Latch is let go inside.

[JubleO7]

As the title states, do the to jl audio 13w5 I used to have and some off roading, my hatch has decided to remain in the closed position. I rolled with it, the window worked, but the time has come to sell it and you may see how someone could be turned away by an SUV without a working hatch. Basically in curious if someone could point me to which side I'm better tackling it from, the inside of the vehicle or outside. I doubt I can take the paneling off inside when it's closed, but would I be able to Jimmy it from the bottom of the window somehow? Or should I try to remove the handle on the outside? Anything and everything is appreciated.

Thanks, John

[atraudes]

Check out this thread. Apparently you can get the panels off from the inside after removing the inside handle.

[Hawairish]

From the inside. There are two little covers on the interior handle, one on each end...gently pry them open and use a 10mm to remove the two bolts.

Get/make a pick tool like #3 below (#1 and #2 might even work) and start at a bottom edge of the panel. You need to hook it behind the plastic and gently pull the panel towards you, into the cabin. With the pick tool, you insert it between the panel and weatherstrip, rotate it 90° behind the panel, and pull. Once you get a corner up, you can continue around the perimeter...probably easier with your fingers to pry it off at each clip.

Once off, you have access to the exterior handle and rods at the bottom-center of the door.