Kick Panel installation - how?

Hi there. I just installed a trailer brake controller and now can't get the kick panel back on. Are those little white plastic pins supposed to come out of the body and stay with the panel? Are they supposed to point to the front or rear for re-installation? I'm having a heck of a time and if I take it any further without advice I fear mangling the little plastic parts (even more). Thanks . . . .

 

I can’t believe all I can find on this is a 4 year old post, but here goes nothing lol. Did you ever figure this out?

 

They go in the panel and you install the panel at an angle, not straight against the body. At first I thought they were broken by the guys doing the port option installation but on closer inspection, they're molded at a 45° angle. Thought that was neat.

 

They point forward and are installed in the panel.

 

I've taken that panel off multiple times, the easiest way to put it back in place is to remove the weatherstripping install the panel then lightly pry the panel and put the weatherstrip back in place.