removing interior door panels on 98 runner

[snowripper]

I removed the little popout button and the screw that holds the door handle casing, but that didn't seem to loosen the panel much. How do I get the panels off?

thanks!
-rip

[chloe1513]

I, too, would be very much interested in knowing this. We have a 1989 4runner and the passenger window is way off track and the door handle doesn't work. We would like to know if this is an easy process to do ourselves or should we take it to someone? I, myself, am not afraid to just start working on it, but it is my husband's vehicle whose teenage son drives it, and he doesn't just want to go out there and start pulling on things. Please, any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[wntmo]

Ok, you'll need a phillips head and a flat head screw driver. Since you probably don't have a panel popper, a flat head will do fine. You've already remove the door handle screw and the actual door handle/release from the door, right? Now, remove the arm rest/door handle part that has fabric (leather or cloth) on it. Take the flat head screw driver and gently wedge it between the plastic and the fabric, now pry up that panel and remove. You'll see 2 large phillip head srews there. Now look towards the edge of the panel (towards the lock side, opposite side from the hindges), you'll see a small plastic button. Take the phillips and gently push the center of this in, this will allow you to remove the button. Just use your fingernails to remove this button. You should see another one at the top corner of the door panel, slightly below the sail panel (triangle piece where the tweeters are located). Remove this one in the same manner. Ok, now you can remove the door panel. The door panel is held in with plastic panel clips. A panel popper comes in handy here, but the flat head will work. Start at the bottom by gently sliding the flat head between the door skin (door panel) and the actual metal part of the door. Insert the flat head about two inches in and then pry the plastic away from metal. Don't worry, you'll hear the plastic clips release by making a POP sound. Nothing is breaking, they're just coming out of the holes they were in. You'll see once it's off. Do this at the bottom and the sides of the door. Once you're done loosening the door, slide the panel off from the top edge by just lifting up the door panel. It might make it easier to roll down the window at this point.

You should now have the door panel off. Just unplug the window switch and door locks so you can move the panel completely out of the way.

Email me if you have any problems or can't understand my extremely long post. [email protected]


Mo