Someone tried punching my hatch lock on the XJ while I was out on boat a few weeks ago. The key goes in fine but the lock is all busted up. I've sourced a replacement and am gonna have it keyed to match my door locks.

I can't open my hatch because it was locked when the lock got busted up. Without doing further damage...how for I get the hatch unlocked and open so I can install the replacement lock/button assembly?

 

crawl under the jeep and remove the hatch lock post nuts.

 

If you're replacing the latch mechanism too, you can just push it where the lock cylinder was (assuming you've pulled out the remains). The cylinder is just held with a slide clip but that's probably all gone now. That's how I've been opening my hatch as someone punched mine in at some point. A long screwdriver pushing in on the flat metal piece should do it.

 

This is what I'm dealing with...I don't have nuts on the bottom side to remove

 

This thread may help: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/rea...97-01-a-31679/

The hatch was changed in 1997, so may not apply.