SO i go to put some crap in the backof the 4runner this morning, and i cant get the door open. I have tugged, pulled, sprayed the handle hinges with lube. but nothing works. I've tryed cycling the locks to see if they are suck, but i can feel it unlock when i use the key. So what should i do now. Is there some way to get the inside panel off to try and get at the latching mechanism. I think something broke because i can hear something moving in the door, but nothing happens. This really sucks. please help

 

yo, i also have had trouble with the back hatch, the handle just won't pull all the way. usually i just keep locking and unlocking the doors (remote and at the pdl) and usually it will budge.

so last weekend this happened just as i was going out the door camping, i got it open and decided to frig with the latch...big mistake! the latch got stuck in the closed position with the hatch open. i had to unscrew the latch/lock thingy from the door and give the cable a yank. haven't had any probs since!

 

Do you have a tail gate or a big up swinging door thingy Ok, so I'm retarted tonight:pat: Anyway, I have had some trouble with my tail gate torsion bar on my 1st gen getting kinda stuck and I have to reach down and pull it down and it works. If you don't have a tail gate then then I will blame the beer and shut up

 

After some persistent tugging, pulling hitting and lubing i finnally got the door open, but i know the linkage inside is broken. HOw do i get the interior panel of the back hatch off so i can fix it. anyone have a factory sevice manual or somethin the can get the diagram out of, thanks. its a 1997 4runner by the way.

 

SO i called the dealership here and talked to a mechanic. He told me how to take apart the rear door, pull the latch mechanism and so forth. I got it all apart and all i said was $h!t. the cable was all corroded so was the little rod going from the latch to the realease, it was all siezed up and stuck, i pulled it all apart cleaned it up and got it working again, but i am still gonna order the new cable, so it wont sieze up in the housing again. I'm glad i got it all worked out