Rear Hatch won't open - Help!

My son has a 96 Explorer and the rear hatch won't open.
It was this way when we bought it, but I thought I could fix it.
The outside handle, seems to be stripped, it just turns and turns.

I can't see any way to access it from the inside.

Am I missing something?

I need to get it open to replace a taillight, among other things.

Please, any help?

Thanks in Advance.

Mark

you'll have to go from the inside. bring a phillips driver and a ratchet w/ a 7/16 in.deep socket. 2 covers at the top one phillips, under the lock knob,the other has 2 7/16 in. nuts
2 more phillips at the strap. push pins around the glass moulding. you sould lift the panel and pull back. remove the plastic cover and look for long rods. they go to the latches. pull them in sideways to open the door.good luck.

I am having the same problem with my 92 ford explorer. Can someone offer help on how to open the hatch to a 92? If seems the be different from the 96.

Thanks