Trunk Problem on Hatchback

[rocksteady_racer]

I have a 1990 240sx hatchback that the previous owner before me put a new trunk on. Anyway, it slid down and has become stuck on the latch in the back (like a whole inch slid back). I unbolted the two hinges but that just slid it down worse. When I looked in the hatch mounting holes on the frame, they seem to have rusted around the bolt hole which explains why it started sliding in the first place. Also I have to figure out a way to remove the stock gas pistons before yanking it out with the trunk stuck closed. But I can lift from the hinge side now that the bolts are out but it's not helping the latch come out any.

So first question - on removing my hatch, the only idea I could come up with since it's so stuck on the latch in the back is to cut the top portion of the latch (the one attached to the hatch itself) enough so the back of the trunk just pops out. Then reattach a new latch to the hatch so that way I don't ruin the existing latch mechanism by abusing it. That should work right? Anyway had this problem and got it to work? The hatch is like 100 lbs right so have someone catch it when it starts sliding?

Second question, for the fatigued bolt holes, should I try to attach two pieces of reinforcing metal on the inside and mount the trunk on that instead of the stock oversized bolt holes, or should I just use slightly larger bolts. If I use slightly larger bolts the bolt hole will probably just rust again right so better to reinforce it?

Thanks in advance.

[SoCal-S13]

good god. talk about a fukked off situation.