I can't open my rear door

That's what forums are all about. Problem threads Seriously though it's no sweat.

I used the video in this first post to do all the panels.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/premium-audio-upgrade-for-less-than-250.510424/

And trim tools are totally worth it especially for the clips that stay in the door. The forked one is so key for that.

 

Ha. OP a whole thread of people that were in your situation. Nice post @remgu2000 ! Sounds like if all else fails he can pull hard as hell on the handle. Even if it breaks that is a "Cheap" part. Eff it.

 

Yeah I was watching that video and trying to figure out what they were leaving out that was causing so much trouble lol

 

This ^^. Just double check your cables before you close your doors. I didn't and went through panic mode for a few minutes until someone else told me about the solution. Keep in mind there is no known solution for the front doors as far as I know. This trick only works with the rear doors.

 

It wasn't hard, I literally did it about 4 times and on the last I was just cruising not thinking and messed it up.

 

Thank you! I will go try this now

 

I posted in one of the other threads mentioned in this post because I did the same thing. If both ball ends are in the latch the problem is the cable isn't seated in the trim. A firm pull on the handle will remove the slack and the door WILL open. Just pull the handle about an inch past where it normally stops and the door will open for you.

edit: Looks like @remgu2000 already beat me to it!

 

DO NOT DO THIS. I pulled mine "past where it should go" and it didn't work out so well. I did it gently at first then pulled harder thinking maybe I wasn't giving it enough. Mine broke. I got it open using the coat hanger through the hole that is already there though, and I got it all back together, but my door handle piece is now broken and I am going to have to order a new one at some point. I'm sick of that door tho so I'll probably have it put in during one of the free services, or fix it down the road. It works for now and is fine and doesn't rattle.

Hole behind the chrome lever is where I attacked with my wire hanger. Was a struggle the first time, put it back broken again and then had to do it the second time. I was much better for my second attempt

You can see on the bottom, there is a tab there that broke off, now it doesn't sit right.

 

Whoa....who rides in your passenger seat? Edward scissor hands?

 

I'm not upset about it, and no one ever goes back there but dogs anyways. Just wanted to let people know, try the coat hanger first

 

Dude no shit!! The previous owner had like ten dogs. The front is way worse. It was a repo.

 

Looks like it's not a terrible ending. Door is opened and the replacement part is about $60. Think it's item 7 in the link below.

http://toyotapartsestore.com/2016-t..._automatic_4-body_hardware-rear_door-8519520/

 

Thanks for the link, I was trying to find one and google search wasn't being my buddy. This was the first car I hadn't messed up ANYTHING doing soundproofing on. So this was meant to be, I haven't ever done a single project in my life without some sort of mess up. At this point I don't really get mad anymore, I've learned to just start looking for the parts I need.

 

Glad you got your door open dog. Sux but remember your original question was, can I get in this mofo without cutting into the door! So at least you can replace that handle and it's all good. I do not think you will be the last. Hopefully they happen upon this thread.

 

I have another suggestion you might try, because I went through the same O CRAP moment when I reinstalled my drivers side rear passenger door panel and it wouldn't open.

Simply use the power door lock button to lock, then unlock the doors over and over, while pulling on the door handle normally. I can't remember if I pulled on the inside or outside handle, but if one doesn't work, try the other.

It worked for me, then I took the door panel back off and reinserted the cable into the clips properly.

 

I don't understand why that would work, but I do BELIEVE it would. When I got my rear door off after locking it the second time I feel like it opened almost randomly and didn't take as much effort as the first time, so I think they can be finicky!

 

Yeah, way cheaper than a whole new door panel!!!! Can't be mad when you rip apart your truck if something goes wrong...can be frustrated though! Had a good sleep and moving on to the next two doors today. Hoping for no lock outs and I have tons of extra clips now so I don't even care if I lose or break any!

 

Yeah, I can't really explain it in a scientific way, because I didn't have time to study it at that moment. I'm guessing it had something to do with the way the power dock lock moves the lock/handle lever. Maybe the extra tension on the cables/lever gave it just enough movement at the right moment to catch...???

Regardless, I was in disbelief I couldn't get the door open, mad about the thought of having to inflict damage to the door panel on a 3 month old truck, then minutes later shocked it actually worked. It was a roller coaster ride of thoughts and emotions for a few minutes...lol It all worked out though and trust me...I paid very close attention to those cables on the rest of the doors.

 

Yeah I really was freaking out for a bit. I just finished up the last two doors yesterday and added some shims to the door handle screw piece so it would push out far enough to match up. I went VERY slow and double checked everything before I was putting them together, and even then I was scared I didn't do it right. It's all buttoned up now and done though (well until my replacement handle comes in) and I couldn't be happier that I did it.