i need to take off the big grey license plate frame on the back of my '98 runner (the one that has the chrome toyota badge on it) but i haven't been able (i'm too thick) to figure out how it comes off; anyone been there?
thanks

check posts by yoter, i think he removed his and is painting it black.

lee

IIRC, you need to pull off the interior panel, then another metal panel behind that in order to get to the bolts on the backside. It's a PITA.

really? screw that. i wanted to have mine painted body color.

You can always mask it, and THEN paint it.

the reason i have to take it OFF (i wish i didn't) was somewhere along the way a small stone has fallen inside; as well as the noise annoyance factor,
i'm concerned the paint underneath will go and we'll have rust. also, i believe "yoter's" rig is a '92 and i was hoping the 3rd gens were easier to take apart. if i do have to go in from the inside, what's the procedure for taking off the inner door (hatch) panel? thanks again everyone.

The inside plastic panel just pops off, then slides up. Be careful and pry gently, so as not to break the clips. It's easier to remove when the window is down. After that's off, you'll need a size 10 or 11 socket to remove a bunch of bolts from the metal panel. It's not difficult. Once you're in there, it'll make sense..

I'm not sure how a stone could have posibly entered the area......

me neither; i haven't actually seen the stone, but i don't know what else it could be; either way, it's buggin me.

My bet is it is a screw/bolt or broken part that is rattling. Taking off the rear license plate frame ain't that bad...




...when you make someone else do it like I did bamachem!

waskillywabbit, like my son says "everyone's a comedian, except you (dad)"