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To take off the rear hatch panel of a 2002 Ford Explorer, start by covering the bottom of the panel with duct tape to avoid scratches. Next, warm up the oval "Ford Emblem" using a heat gun to make it easier to remove. Then, gently raise the sides of the panel by inserting a flat scraping tool between the vehicle's frame and the metal sheet, tapping with a rubber hammer to release the cover. Be sure to tap gently and sideways, avoiding downward pressure to prevent damage to the hatch glass below. Finally, after removing the panel, use a razor blade and cloth to clean off any remaining adhesive.
To take off the back hatch panel, start by removing the pins at the top of the hatch. Next, unscrew all bolts and detach the plastic piece connected to the lock indicator. Once this is done, you will be able to detach the panel.
Start by taking out the plastic pins up at the top of the hatch. Unscrew the two screws holding the pull strap in place and then carefully remove the plastic cover from the lock indicator. After that, the entire panel should be loose and ready to be pried off.