This is a step-by-step process for removing your door panels. It is quite easy and you just need a few tools:
1. Phillips screwdriver
2. A thin prying implement such as a flat screwdriver or butter knife.
3. A safe place for screws so you don't lose them.
Step 1: Remove the felt in the door handle:
Step 2: Remove the screw. Put it somewhere you won't lose it.
Step 3: Remove the plastic cover behind the door open/close handle.
Step 4: Unscrew and put the screw somewhere safe.
Step 5: Gently pry the electric window housing away from the door. It is a module and is NOT just a cover so the window lever comes too.
Step 6: Using your fingers, gently lift the module up and off the door.
Step 7: There are two sets of wires you must remove. Pinch the white sections in the right part and they will unhook.
Once unhooked, it will look like this:
Step 8: Gently pull off the cover that sits opposite the side-view mirror.
This is what it will look like once the cover is off:
Step 9: There is a unique "screw" holding the door. You need to press the center piece inwards and then remove it.
It will look like this:
Step 10: Begin to remove the door from the BOTTOM by placing your hand underneath, finding a handhold, and gently pulling. You will hear popping. This is the sound of the white clips coming off of the door. From time to time you may break one; fear not they are cheap to replace at your local Toyota dealer.
Step 11: The door is hanging on by the top sill. Once you pull from the bottom, you need to lift UP so it comes off of the lip. However, there are still connections to remove so do not pull hard and be sure to keep the door suspended in your hands and not drop.
Step 12: Unclip the bottom door light. This picture is NOT the correct light. The light is actually inside the part you are removing. You have to pinch it and pull it towards the car. The white felt in the picture leads to what I am referring to.
Step 13: Unhook the door cables. Unhook the white and green plastic pieces and then lift the silver ball out of its housing. Remember green is on the bottom and white on the top.
Step 14: Check for the white "missle" clips in the door. If you find any, carefully remove them and slide back into the plastic door housing that you just removed.
They look like this:
The door should now be off! Put it somewhere safe.
I hope you find this helpful. I take no responsibility for any damage to your truck, you, your dog, cat, stuffed animals, Milli Vanilli collection etc. Always use Toyota Authorized Technicians.
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Tundra DC, 5.7 CAI (by AFE) 22 inch Magnaflow, long bed, 4x4, leather, 6 inch Pro Comp lift, Hypertech in line speedometer calibrator module, 5000 lbs Ride Rite air bags on rear,35's Toyos, 18x8 1/2 polished black rims, rear view camera, rear sonar, spray on liner, bug shield, Tint front wdws (20% to match de rear), nerf bars, tool box, pioneer nav with JBL amp, blue tooth, XM radio, DVD player, 6 CD, Hunter bull bar (kept towing hooks), KC lights, tow mirrors, all weather mats, Viper 5900 alarm.
Sure thing, I had to learn so I could replace a side-view mirror. Then I decided to Peel and Seal all the doors and panel behind the rear seats. I will tackle the floorboards at some point.
Has anyone else had the holes for the door panel clips tear out? When I pulled the door panels off some of the white clips stayed in the door and tore through the black plastic. Now I can't use clips in those areas. So far no rattle, but annoying knowing the door is hanging loose in a few places.
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~Michael
2008 Toyota Tundra 5.7 2WD - Toy Hauler / 2006 Toyota Sienna Limited - Kid Hauler / 1993 Toyota MR2 - Autocross Car
Mods: Tekonsha P3; Tow Mirrors; TRD Wheels; TPMS Pipe Bomb
Great post. Points sent. I saw a LED puddle light mod that I was considering. The only hard part in my mind was removing the door panels. Not any more !!!
__________________ Black 2007 D/C Limited 4x4, seems to have ALL the options, Flowmaster Dual Delta 40's, K&N drop in filter, Rhino Liner', 3" frt 1" rear Daystar leveling kit, BFG Radial All Terrain TA's 305x65x18, Moto Metal M0951's in Chrome 18x9. Fully DeBadged , Stebel horn, C/W grill, TRD Swaybar, Wet O's, Craven Speed Stubby Antenna, 10,000 lb winch, H11 bulbs, Production date 8/07
"CBTMA Member" all that is remaining is:
Black Mod Headlights 1997 Chevy Tahoe Sport 4x4 2008 Sequoia Ltd. Slate Metallic (purchased on 3/28/09)
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The MARINES don't have that problem." President Ronald Reagan 1985