Removing Door Panels

So I brought up that I took my door panels off and someone was asking me how to do it. I thought I would write up a quick how to, since its really easy but may seem intimidating. In other words, its a good beginner experience, changing speakers, sound deadening and so on. All your going to need too wise is a flat head and phillips head screw driver and possibly a flat bar or small crow bar. First, there's two screws securing the inner skin to the door.

Remove the trim piece hiding the screw behind the door handle. It's easy to just pry away from the lock and it will snap right out and presto-change-o...screw number one is revealed

...and the second one is under the foam pad under in the door handle

Once you get those two screws out, the panel will just pull away from the door with some force. Start at the bottom and work you way around to the top. The flat bar or crow bar might come in handy to start to but don't use too much force with them because they stress the plastic at the edges. Use your hand and give it a good solid tug. You will know when the job is done.

At this point the panel is loose and should be able to flap back and forth. The next part is a little tricky and might take two people if your arms aren't that long. Lift the panel vertically and disconnect the connections between the locks, windows, and don't forget the light at the bottom of the door. Some of the wires are only 22 guage and you really shouldn't let the panel hang from them so if you need a break just hook the panel back. If your short like me and have no arm length, it might be easier to get on the ground and unplug the light before lifting the panel up. The connectors for the wires have a latch on them holding them securely push it down and pull apart. The door latch and lock are easy, just rotate the cable to the slot and it will pop vertically up and out.



And that's it...you now should be holding the inner skin in your hands and be able to continue with your project. Re-installing everything isn't that difficult either, just remember to connect everything as it is very annoying to get the door back together only to realize you forgot to plug the light in (guess how I found that out...). All the electrical connections are keyed so its impossible to get the connections mixed up and they just click back into place. The door latch has the green connector and the white connector is for the lock. Then slide the panel back on the door, you can tell if its properly aligned by looking at the white clips that hold the doors edges in. Line up the white clips and bang the panel into the door to re-engage them. Make sure when you are doing this that you hold the door in place. Its important when you get to the far side of the door because as you bang the door leverage will stress the hinge...hold with one hand bang with the other, awkward but effective.

Its not that difficult but like I said, could be intimidating...any questions, feel free to ask!

Happy Modding!

 

Thanks guys, Im trying to give people a resource so they can start taking on projects and not be intimidated. This seemed like a good place to start

Yea man, I forgot to plug the light in at the bottom of the door and had to take the panel off again for that it's frustrating and it even took me a minute to realize what I did...felt like a real smart guy when that happened