2000 4Runner - how to remove fender liner

[illinind]

Hi – I have a 2000 4Runner Limited.

I need to remove the fender liner to access the power antenna motor. I’ve removed several screws, but the liner doesn’t budge.

It looks like there are several plastic fasteners holding the liner in place. I removed one, but only by destroying it. Is there a way to remove these clips without breaking them?

Also, the screws themselves seem to go into some kind of clip. Even with the screw out, these clips secure the liner. Same question – is there a way to remove these clips without breaking them?

Thanks!

[S&P_Strangler]

Originally Posted by illinind

Hi – I have a 2000 4Runner Limited.

I need to remove the fender liner to access the power antenna motor. I’ve removed several screws, but the liner doesn’t budge.

It looks like there are several plastic fasteners holding the liner in place. I removed one, but only by destroying it. Is there a way to remove these clips without breaking them?

Also, the screws themselves seem to go into some kind of clip. Even with the screw out, these clips secure the liner. Same question – is there a way to remove these clips without breaking them?

Thanks!

How did you end up working this out? I'm having the exact same problem with exact same year/make but the widely-available instructions don't cover the bubble-flare fender on the limited.

Thank you,
Joe

[kanaduh]

Are you trying to replace a broken antenna? If so, you don't need to get in there. You can just replace the mast. Remove the nut on top of the antenna, pull the old mast out. The new mast has a nylon track that will feed into the antenna base. It is a 2 person job, but if you have someone turn the radio on, so the mast would have been extended. Then you insert the nylon track into the antenna hole and have the person inside turn the radio off. It will pull the antenna in. Put the nut back on the antenna and you're all set. The mast will come with instructions too. Look on ebay for the mast, you should fine them for a few bucks. I've replaced a couple of mine already. It's a whole lot cheaper than a new antenna.

[nu24runners]

I ended up buying replacement clips, as I broke several while replacing the antenna mast. My mast broke off inside the Mast housing on the motor and I ended up extracting the plastic mast out of the housing. The hardest part about the whole job was getting the fender liner out. I google'd the antenna removal and found a posting that had very nice step by step pictured removal hints. I can dig up the url if anyone needs it..