>  > The rear hatch on my '90 rusted prematurely, while my '84 is in good
>shape.
>>  (I attribute this to poorer quality rubber on the '90 - any
>comments?)
>>  The two hatches measure the same with a tape measure - are they
>>  interchangeable?
>
>yes, but ... the lock is different and the emblem on the hatch is a
>different size. it'll freak out the purists. ;)
>
>i don't know if you can swap the locks (to keep the single ignition
>key locking/unlocking the hatch) ... you might be able to. at any
>rate, it's worth trying to swap the locks before you go to the
>tremendous effort of swapping the hatches (those things are REALLY
>heavy!!!!).
>
>good luck!
>joel
>p.s. why do you think poor rubber would cause the hatch to rust?? the
>rubber doesn't keep the salt/rain off the hatch ... only keeps it out
>of the interior. or are you talking about the window area rusting??

Yes, my I got incredible rusting around the bottom of the rear
window. The rubber tubes that contain the electric wires to the hatch
really rotted, while my 84 van's are in decent shape. I think that is
the source for the moisture. Unfortunately, I did not figure it out
when it started, and the rust has gotten away from me now.

A body place suggested switching the hatches, as the original doesn't
have enough metal left, but they haven't looked into the latches.

I am not a purist - just want to keep my baby going.

>p.s. where are you located? i know where there is a burgundy rear
>hatch from a 90 multivan ... but it's in georgia. i think it has a
>slight dent in it, however. :(

Columbus, OH

Thanks!
Paul