16+ door panel removal

[Tex68w]

The wife has proceeded to proper scratch up the satin chrome finish on the interior drivers door handle with her wedding/engagement rings in short order. She wants it replaced so I am going to order the part and do it myself. Has anyone here removed the interior door panel in their 16+ Cruiser? Are there any screws that need to be removed before prying the edges of the panel away? Any tips or tricks to it or things to watch out for? What about the harness for the door locks and windows, are they hard to access or extremely short and tied in? TIA!

 

[CharlieS]

I haven't done it on the 16+, but I have on a '13, and not much has changed (the '16 has a led that the '13 didn't).

If you're just removing the L shaped interior door handle trim (faux brushed chrome) you don't need to remove the door panel. They are easily removed with the help of a pry tool without further door card disassembly.

 

[Tex68w]

Thanks for posting the video! How can the handle be removed/replaced without taking the panel off? It appears that I would have to unhook the handle from the op rod which would require access behind the panel, no? Help me understand what I am missing here.

 

[CharlieS]

I may be thinking of a different part. When you say handle, I heard the handle that you pull on to close the door that has an L shaped brushed metal looking cover. What I now think you may mean is the lever you pull to open the door from the inside.

Either way, that video that I linked shows how to take off the interior panel if that is what you want to do.

And yes, there are screws to remove before pulling the panel.

What I am referring to:

What I now think you meant:

 

[Tex68w]

That's what I thought and yes the video makes it look pretty simple and straight forward, much appreciated!

 

[CharlieS]

As I recall, the only mildly tricky or fiddly part is removing the actuator cables while holding the interior panel up with your other hand.

 

[bronc076]

What steps will your wife be taking to not scratch up the new piece? I try to avoid buying unusually large diamonds for exactly this reason!

 

[Tex68w]

I showed her how to open the door with her finger tips lol and I bought her a bunch of those silicone rings haha.

 

[Madtiger]

I showed her how to open the door with her finger tips lol and I bought her a bunch of those silicone rings haha.

That’s on you. You just had to get her a big diamond! It’s YOUR fault.

 

[Tex68w]

In 6.5 years that's all she's ever asked for, well that and the Land Cruiser which I 100% approved of, I got off cheap in comparison to the ex lol.

 

[CharlieS]

All joking aside, I wonder if you could wrap it in a thin, transparent paint protection film? I wrapped a set with 3m vinyl, so I know it is possible with other materials. It might be more cost effective in the long run. Repeated replacement may get costly.

 

[Tex68w]

At the end of the day it doesn't bother me all that much but that finish almost highlights it and it's a bit of an eye sore on a brand new vehicle. If it were one of the back doors that I rarely see I wouldn't bother.

 

[bronc076]

So she needs a Chauffeur!

Kidding aside I bet she is bummed she scratched up the interior of her new car and will be careful in the future. I know that's how I feel when I accidentally mess up something new/nice.

 

[Tex68w]

And that is now fixed. Install was a breeze with the help of the video posted above by @CharlieS, many thanks! This was the very last one in inventory in the US at the moment lol.

 

[bronc076]

Looks good! Keep that old part, it will be money in 20 years!

 

[04UZJ100]

And that is now fixed. Install was a breeze with the help of the video posted above by @CharlieS, many thanks! This was the very last one in inventory in the US at the moment lol.

Looks like there’s lots of from to supplement with sound deadening insulation.......

 

[Tex68w]

Looks like there’s lots of from to supplement with sound deadening insulation.......

There's a thick sheet of it hanging off the backside of the door panel.