Remove the Door Trim

XterraRising

Bumpers Installed
Location
Utah
This post is in addition to my other post regarding heated mirrors. To remove the door trim without damaging it, I have documented the process in order to help you. Note: some of these pictures I took with the back of the trim piece facing the camera. You already know what the normal side looks like.

Open the door all the way and make sure the window is rolled up. You could probably have it down, but I did it with the window up. Then disconnect the negative terminal on the battery.

Remove the door lock and window button. With a pry tool, gently pry up on it. It will pop out. Disconnect the white connector.

xrd0nOJ.jpg


Remove the trim closest to the door latch and lock by sticking your hands in the hole where the lock trim was. Depress the two tabs inside and gently pry outward with a pry tool.

WIgf5Av.jpg


There is a little notch on the top of the other side of the latch trim. Stick your pry tool in there and gently pry it out.

2wXg18r.jpg


Now remove the arm rest. You can press inward from the side and slightly upward while prying around it to release the locking tabs. It will "pop" off.

EgBQmVq.jpg


You now have access to three 10mm screws. Remove them and set them aside. Remember, the stainless one goes back where the latch is. Removing the door handle is not necessary.

GiYDFUB.jpg


Finally, there is a small notch on the bottom of the door trim, aka door finisher. Gently pry outward with it. The plastic fastener holding the trim on will pop. Move your tool gently around the door until all the fasteners pop. Then pull the door away at the bottom, and pull it up. It comes right off.

riPdUhC.jpg


Here is a picture of the back of the door.

1Hm718x.jpg


What you will see now is a white plastic cover around the inner door opening. Don't tear it. If you need to remove it, do it gently, and stick it back on with RTV when you're finished with whatever business you have in there.

emDzdYP.jpg


At the risk of sounding like a Haynes manual, reassembly is the reverse of removal.

I also recommend using blue Loctite on the screws when you reinstall them. Mine were pretty loose when I took them off.

Passenger side and driver side are the same. The driver side just has more buttons.
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
Great write-up! Pretty straightforward. I always forget to disconnect the battery first. You'd think I would given that I fried an airbag module once already messing with plugs with the battery connected.
 

XterraRising

Bumpers Installed
Location
Utah
Thanks. I make it a habit to disconnect the battery if I’m doing more than fluid checks or an oil change. Just good practice. The main reason here is because the power door lock/window switches get disconnected. You can never be too careful. Better to reconnect the battery than hunt down a blown fuse.
 
Top