JOATMON3

Hey All -

My first post and it looks like a great site.

So my 2000 4Runner is stinkin' really bad. After a lot of research I decided to go with a new carpet kit. After tearing up the carpet I found out that was indeed the problem. Once I got into it, I figured that I might as well throw some soundproofing in. I use my 4Runner as my hunting vehicle in the West, so having a great highway cruiser that is off-road ready is kind of a must.

So my question relates to the panels on the doors. I popped them off (found the two screws underneath the armrests), but the latch handle assembly seem to be the last stumbling block. I removed the phillips head screw holding it in, but it still would not budge. I pried on it thinking there was a pressure fit retaining device, but nothing popped. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

xskydivingdudex

ok so i had problems the first time trying to take the door panel off too... ok so once u get off all those screws u mentioned ur gonna need to slowly take a flat head screw driver and work ur way around the bottom popping out the brackets holding the panel to the metal of the door. then ur gonna have to pull it slowly and make sure it gets free from the latch for the locks and then ull have to turn the door handle off the panel to take the panel completely off.

JOATMON3

Thx. Got all of that - up until the last part. Do you rotate the door latch handle with it attached to the metal, or does it remove and then you rotate it and feed it back through the panel?

RobD

Push the latch towards the front of your vehicle. It will slide forward. You should then be able to unclip its release bar (small plastic clip holds it in place).

xskydivingdudex

ya the door handle latch will need to be pulled through the panel itself. there are clips that hold it in the back of the panel but it isnt too hard once u get the panel partially off the door... u should be able to see it once u get there.

greasyFeat

how bout help with removing the panel on the rear (5th) door of an 05 runner? the license plate bolts are frozen with rust therefore not allowing replacement of the license plate. bolts now trashed therefore thought about replacing the interior mechanism that the bolts screw into...any thoughts?