Hello everyone! I just two weekends ago picked up what i believe to be an '83 Wagoneer Limited, AMC 360 & Select-trac (i think, it has the hi/lo lever). I am not new to cars working on them or Jeeps (had a '77 CJ-5), but am new to the FSJs. And this will be my biggest project to date! It is currently in pretty rough shape, with a lot surface rust and some bondo in the lower rear quarters. The interior is as expected for the age and the way it looks on the outside. It does not currently run, but was told it has run in past couple years. Really excited to work on turning this into a Family camping/mild off-roading/expeditionish type rig.
Onto my first issue so far, the cargo had some junk in it that previous owner said was in it when he got it. Random junk, (hub caps, a roll of carpet, some kids shoes? ) , anyway i want/need to remove the interior, but to my surprise the only door i didn't open when checking it out was the tailgate. Tried to open it, but the driver side will not unlatch. Checked the linkage, its good. It kind of looked like the catch wasn't backing away from the spring loaded part so i manipulated that, nothing. My assumption is that it is rusted in place, or seized, my be the lock mechanism is broken? Is this a common thing? Is there way a good way or a known way to remedy this problem?
My thoughts were to remove the rear glass, and try to turn the mechanism some how from the inside...but thought i might asked some more experienced Jeepers first!
Edited* got the photos attached! Ignore the blue spot! My wife got our 4yr old son exited about it needing to be repainted, and I just decided to let him throw some spray paint on a rusty spot!