Fiberglass Rear Hatch for an 87

RGS0907 · Dec 26, 2004

Does anyone have any experience with the fiberglass rear hatch for an '87? I see them advertised in 5.0 mag all the time & would like to replace the rusty one that I have with a glass one. How is the fit & finish on these? Thanks very much!

giddyup306 · Dec 26, 2004

I personally wouldn't get one. Fox bodies are front heavy already. You'd just be taking weight off the back creating more traction controll issues.

86bluecobra · Dec 26, 2004

i have a fibre glass hatch. it fit fine on my 86. i also installed lexan glass in it. i know not for street use but so far i havent had any troubles( with police). if u are going for a show car i doubt i would go fibre glass. i also have fiber glass doors and hood. my little fox with a 351W in it wieghs 2900lbs. i relocated my battery to the rear hatch with a sealed box. i guess if i didnt have subframe connectors and a 8 point roll cage i would be even lighter. im happy with the setup.

RGS0907 · Dec 27, 2004

Not trying to save weight

I did a search on this topic this morning.. I had tried last night but the server kept timing out on me... It looks like this topic has been discussed plenty, but I was looking for a good alternative to the rusty steel hatch, not for saving weight. The classic Mustang repo market has some real crap out there, especially with fiberglass. From reading these threads, it sounds like they're manufactured with reasonably good fit & finish. With regular glass installed it won't take too much weight off the back either.

281pony · Dec 27, 2004

another thing to consider is its weaker then the stock one. the stock shocks for the hatch can break them, pushing out from the center creates too much force. that is unless they are worn out as some are.

i considered one before for the weight savings. between the 600+ dollars to get one, have it painted, then have it be a potential weak point it definately wasnt worth it for me. then you dont lose much weight with stock glass as someone mentioned also.

RGS0907 · Dec 28, 2004

88SC_GT said:
another thing to consider is its weaker then the stock one. the stock shocks for the hatch can break them, pushing out from the center creates too much force. that is unless they are worn out as some are.

i considered one before for the weight savings. between the 600+ dollars to get one, have it painted, then have it be a potential weak point it definately wasnt worth it for me. then you dont lose much weight with stock glass as someone mentioned also.

Thanks! I think it's better to hunt for a good used one in that case.

Matts89LX5.0 · Dec 28, 2004

good idea, find a good used one, its gonna be hard to find one with no rust but they are better imo over a fiberglass hatch.

FreeGT · Dec 28, 2004

Don't get F-glass, they are weak and the shocks will crack them or the paint. If it is a drag car, that you dont open the hatch then it will work. As far as a street driven car, it will most likely crack. The only way i would get one is if you only very very RARELY open your hatch.

crazypete · Dec 29, 2004

Get a normal replacement hatch, gt hatch is better, toss the wing (useless for the speeds we drive at and you'll have to paint the hatch anyway to match the car paint), remove the window and get a 36x72 plate of lexan polycarb from home depot from $70 and cut it to fit the rear window. Hatch is light as a feather yet strong as iron. Pull the plugs on the underside of the hatch lip and blast paint in there. This is where they rust

88mustng · Dec 29, 2004

my brother has one on his capri and hes switching it back to the stock capri hatch with the bubble window in it. i see your in nj too. maybe he can hook you up with it. pm me or aim evo3focus

Jo_885o · Dec 29, 2004

okay best palce to buy replacement hatch? 50resto, yearone?........

281pony · Dec 29, 2004

maybe try ebay, corral for a used one with no rust that you could pick up. i think there pretty expensive to buy new.

garystocker · Aug 29, 2005

Buy new? From where?

I have been looking for months and my hatch is pretty bad and no junkyards have any stangs at all in my area.

Can a reputable shop fix it? Iy is rusty is a place I can't do it...rusty on both sides of the lip where LX and FORD oval are. (Inside too)

Looks bad.

Body shops have turned me away. They want the insurence jobs, but I know I should find a New Jersey Based Mustang specific shop to do the work.

I did get a recommendation for a regular body shop in my area. But I had the hatch fixed once already. Bubbles popped up after 2 years.

Help me if you can with:

-where to get a new hatch
-where to get a used rust-free hatch
-Where to bring my car in NJ where they will do body work

Paul Perreca · Aug 29, 2005

just take the shocks out if your worried about it cracking, and use a prop rod..... (homemade usually looks like a peice of wood or some kind of crobar art - how bad could ur stock one be?? take the spoiler off, tape off the glass, and fix the one you've got!!! Go online, theres plenty of HOW TO's on fixing rust (usually the rust I see on these hatches is surface rust, and slight bubbling, which is not really a problem) Me and my dad have been doing this kind of work for years, its not so hard, and you have to paint it anyway to have it match, and you may have to blend into the quarters to match, so just fix yours!!
Paul Perreca

crazypete · Aug 30, 2005

Call this guy:

Menard's 603-887-4049

He runs an all mustang junkyard in chester NH. Tons of squeeky clean hatches, probably one in your bodycolor too so you dont need repainting. He'll box it up and ship it to you. His prices are reasonable.

He's been hooking me up for years so I love passing the word along

garystocker · Aug 30, 2005

I will call right now!!

That was useful. I will let you know how I make out.

garystocker · Aug 30, 2005

He has many in stock he says.

He says they run from $150 - 350 and shipping is $200.-

Should I wait until winter when I'll go up to New Hampshire to visit friends (I'm in NJ) or just pay the F'in shipping and be happy.

It wiuld be a PITA to sqeeze it in my truck with all the luggaage, dog...

too far to just drive up...

crazypete · Aug 30, 2005

garystocker said:
too far to just drive up...

Seriously...what an excuse for a ROADTRIP!

Pack a 7/16 socket and ratchet and some wire cutters for the hatch wiring and drive up with the stang and drive back with the new hatch mounted. Costs less than $200 in gas and it will be an adventure to boot and you'll have your stuff right away aaaaand you can choose which hatch you want. Go for a bubbleback capri or one with a cobra spoiler or that weird svo spoiler/hatch.

He's basically off rte 93 exit4 in NH then 20 minutes inland.

garystocker · Aug 30, 2005

Well now I have to do some thinkin'.

You made it sound good alright!

wht93gtEd · Aug 30, 2005

garystocker said:
He has many in stock he says.

He says they run from $150 - 350 and shipping is $200.-

Should I wait until winter when I'll go up to New Hampshire to visit friends (I'm in NJ) or just pay the F'in shipping and be happy.

It wiuld be a PITA to sqeeze it in my truck with all the luggaage, dog...

too far to just drive up...

There's a good size Mustang junk-yard in Jackson NJ....I've been there a few times. He's always getting new stuff in too.

Fiberglass Rear Hatch for an 87

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