my car got rear ended a few weeks back and the local junkyard had a 96 hatch in my color so i decided to take it and put it on my 98 hatch.
i had always wanted to combine the ability to open my hatch from the inside like the 96-97 and still have the option to open it from the outside as well.
it turns out that grand idea just isn't plug and play. it could be done, however it will take some work. i will let the pictures do the explaining,
please excuse my crude MS paint editing:
the strikers

the handles and lack there of

the latching systems

 

Great write up. I'd really love to see a how-to if anyone makes one.

 

x2. i had a 2000 dx hatch which i had to sell and i picked p a 96 cx and i like it much better. gl with it.

 

thanks, i am hoping this will make its way into the FAQ section about the differences between the body styles

 

The hatch styles changed in 98 and not in 99 with the rest of the EKs?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by OMGWTFBBQ! &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The hatch styles changed in 98 and not in 99 with the rest of the EKs?</TD></TR></TABLE>
There were actually lots of changes all over for 1998. A few for 1997 too, but not as many. The only change I'm aware of for 2000 (compared with 1999) was the child seat anchors being included standard.

There are lots of parts that are divided as either '96-'97 or '98-'00. The map light comes to mind.

 

Thanks for this thread. I've got a 99 Hatch and have been interested in this mod as well. I knew that the early style was different than what you and I have, but I'd never seen the early style before your pictures.

I've mulled over the parts diagrams for the older and newer styles and was still left wondering how they routed the release cable up an into the hatch lid on the earlier cars and your pictures make it clear... The answer is "They don't". Let me make sure I understand this right... When you pull the cable, there's some funky see-saw mechanism on the lower mounted striker portion that hits a release lever on the upper mounted latch mechanism. Is that right?

Also, I get why you have to remove material on the left side of the striker hook, but why do you have to trim the right side?



LGW

 

another difference between USD & EUDM hatches, i believe all the hatches 96-00 in europe come with a release mechanism in the inside to open the hatch.

 

truth is you don't need to remove the material on the other side of the striker.
it is removed on the 96-97s for a more symmetrical look.
when i first made those pictures i wasn't sure if i had the sticker plate on upside down or not so i marked both sides as needing to be removed. i have just been too lazy to fix the picture. i guess i should get off my *** and do that huh?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by confidence &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">truth is you don't need to remove the material on the other side of the striker. i have just been too lazy to fix the picture. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Haha! Thanks for clearing that up!

So do you think the angles of everything is the same between the older and the newer styles or do you think Honda changed the angle of the planes that the mechanisms mount on? I know it's doubtful, but since they were stamping entirely different panels for both the body and the hatch lid sheet metal, anything is possible, right?

 

ok, here is my situation. I have a 96 shell with the trunk release. I want to put the hatch that has the wiper from the 96 to the 99. Can i still use the lever from the 99 on the 96 hatch???