Swapping a rear door

[chuckactor]

Managed to back into my 96 (not Lexus) last night and nail the rear drivers side door. Panel popped out but it's creased. I'd like to fix it but I realize that body and paint work adds up fast. I'd estimate about $700-800 based on last years deer hit on the other side.

Found a matching color 94 down the road at a junkyard. The door looks pretty good. Two questions:

1) Any difference between a 94 and 96 rear door?

2) How hard is it to swap a rear door? The junkyard said I could take the whole thing as long as I don't cut the harness for $250.

Thanks!
Chuck

 

[69LC]

I'd like to repair rust the same way on our 95...

 

[Malleus]

Let me know if this helps:

 

[Malleus]

Swapping the door is a matter of supporting it while you're bolting the hinges in place. The assembly line has a fixture which holds the door, swung open, in the correct position, so all the line workers have to do is install the hinge bolts (the hinge is bolted onto the door first). You won't have that luxury, so you will probably have a little fine tuning to do before the door fits, but you can use the other side as a guide. You might think about making some spacers to fill the gaps at the hinge side and the bottom.

Don't hook the opening limiter up until you get the door positioned correctly. (Ask me how I know)

If you plan on supporting it from the bottom edge (on a table, for example) pad the door first, or you won't have any paint left over when you're done.

 

[LINUS]

I swapped a driver fr door last summer - really no differences in the doors & since your card is probably still good, just use a panel prybar to pull it without tearing the pressboard to clip connection.

I had the door hung from Dad's tractor bucket, but jackstands or a helper will make the job far easier than doing it solo.

The more you take from your door the more you know works, like the doorlock & window motor - but never hurts to try the door you buy loaded 1st.

I installed the door with the hinges already attached as they were a blind bolt for me trying to do a door onto the body with hinges installed on the body side.