How to Remove the Rear Door Panel on a 1996 Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner began its life as a tough and rugged all-terrain vehicle that resembled more of a pickup truck with a cab than an SUV. As the 4Runner progressed, it slowly became a more family-oriented vehicle but retained some of its rugged characteristics. The 1998 4Runner came standard with a 150-horsepower, 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and manual crank windows. Removing the rear door panel on the base level 1998 4Runner requires just basic skills.

Instructions

Removal

1

Insert a window crank removal tool behind the window crank, so it is parallel with the window cranks arm. Press the tool inward until you feel it contact the metal retaining clip, then press the tool sharply to disengage the clip. Catch the clip as it falls out, if needed.

2

Pull the window crank and its plastic bearing plate from the regulator input shaft. Align the window crank retaining clip with its slot on the rear of the crank, with the open end of the clip facing the window cranks arm. Press the clip onto the handle until it clicks into place.

3

Remove the screw securing the inside door handle assembly using a Phillips screwdriver. Slide the door handle assembly forward to disengage its retaining tabs, then pull the handle outward just enough to access the rod on the rear of it.

4

Pivot the plastic clip securing the rod in place on the rear of the handle using a flat-head screwdriver. Pull the rod upward and out of its locator hole in the inside door handle. Remove the handle assembly from the door panel.

5

Pry the screw caps from the armrest using a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the two screws securing the armrest using a Phillips screwdriver, then pull the armrest from the door panel.

6

Unfasten the eight door panel-retaining clips by prying around the perimeter of the door panel with a trim stick. Lift the door panel slightly to free it from the top of the door, then remove the door panel.

Installation

7

Position the top of the door panel so the window molding aligns with the top edge of the door. Press downward on the panel to slide the top part of the panel into the top of the door. Line up the door panel-retaining clips with their holes in the door, then tap around the perimeter of the door panel to snap the retaining clips into their holes.

8

Set the armrest into place on the door panel and tighten its retaining screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Press the screw caps into their holes in the armrest.

9

Guide the inside door handle rod through its locator hole on the rear of the door handle assembly. Pivot the rods retaining clip toward the rod until it snaps into place. Set the door handle into its cutout in the door panel and slide it rearward to engage its locking tabs. Tighten the inside door handle assemblys screw with a Phillips screwdriver.

10

Guide the window crank and bearing plate onto the window regulators shaft. Press the window crank onto the regulator shaft until you hear the retaining clip snap into place. Pull outward on the crank to verify you locked it securely in place.