Anyone know how the louver panel on the outside of the truck, just behind the door windows comes off? This is the black plastic piece with the vents in it and the "4Runner" logo plastic insert on it. I want to take them off to refinish them, but do not see the right way to do so...

 

apparently .. push forward to release the 1 bottom clip .. then push up to release the 2 top clips .. then down to release the 2 middle clips .

I have never been successfull at getting them off with out breaking clips though .

 

Link to 85-94 Truck and 4Runner Factory Service manual, first one at the top. Dig a little bit through the body stuff and you will find what Slacker is talking about.....
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/index.html

 

You can't get them off without breaking the clips, unless you want to risk damage to the louvers.

The best way to get them off is with a putty knife and a hammer. You stuff the putty knife under the louver and work it in until it's against the clip. Then smack it with the hammer a couple of times to break the clip. Break the clip at the bottom and the two at the top. Then pull the louver down to release it from the middle two clips. Insert the putty knife from the aft end of the louver. You may need to slide the top back a few inches for access.

If do this carefully, you won't even scratch the paint and you won't do any damage to the louvers.

 

Are the clips plastic or metal? And if they break during removal, do any of the broken parts fall into the body? Can they be retrieved and if so, how? Are replacement clips available from Toyota? Thanks.

 

The clips are plastic. The tips fall into the b-pillar. I'm not sure if you can retrieve them. Never tried.

I haven't called toyota yet to see if clips are available. I imagine they are just standard trim clips used on a number of applications. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one. Maybe someone with access to the dealer parts list can look up a part number for them and provide an answer.

 

bump.... trying to get the answers too...anybody selling new emblems?

thank you

 

$23.00 for the set of 10 http://www.toyotafiberglass.com/4Runner.htm



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clips are much cheaper at Napa autoparts