New Door?

My wife backed into my drivers door on my 2003 and dented in the exterior panel pretty badly. The handle also got messed up somehow and the mirror is difficult to position. i was planning on selling it soon to upgrade to a newer truck and want to replace the whole door if that is the cheapest option to increase the value of the car. Just looking for advice on what to do, where to source the door, how to install it, etc.

First quote I got for everything included and done by a shop was over 2 grand, but I see full doors for $500 online, and unpainted exterior panels for $200. I'm pretty handy, could I buy the panel, have it painted, add the interior panel, a new handle, etc and attach it myself without special tools? Is $500 for a finished door a good deal? Should I be calling junkyards?

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

Depends where you are at. I can look on Craigslist because the junkyards around here do part outs and post them. Check there and get a price. As far as switching the interior panel, if it's not cracked reuse it. It's easy to remove. Same with window motor and glass.

 

I'm in Austin, Texas. The truck is white, and while I know matching the exact white can be tough, I don't care that much as long as the door looks undamaged and everything works (handle, mirror, window, etc.). Sounds like getting the exterior panel and reusing everything is the best way to go if I cant find a full matching door from a junkyard, right? The window still rolls down fine and the interior panel is still in perfect shape as well.

 

IMHO, the best way is to find an un-dented door at a wreckers, with the same exterior color code so that you don't have to re-paint. Then, swap over the interior, if that is not a match.

I did that with an Acura about 8 years ago.When I was done, it looked like the accident never happened. The complete door cost me around $300. If you're lucky, you might find a complete door at a pick-n-pull for around $60.

 

Awesome. I've never had to grab anything from a junkyard before, any advice on dealing with them? Pretty straightforward I assume, just call and tell them what you need. Haggle if possible?

 

I've used junk yards for parts, for decades. Some are kinda shady, but most are well-run places.

The pick-n-pull's are great for vehicles that are over 12 years old (newer vehicles don't 'trickle-down' to them).
Unfortunately, Tacomas are very rare (in California PNP's), but its a good place to start if you really want to save some coin and know how to wrench. You just pay an entry fee ($2 here), bring in your own bag of appropriate tools, prowl around in the yard, find a matching vehicle, and remove the part yourself. Take it to the counter and pay for it.
Since you need a door, determine the color-code of your truck (its on the 'sticker' on the inside of the driver-door, for example my code is 4M4 (Sierra beige metallic). My local ones even have a free 30-day 'exchange only' guarantee.

If you can't find the right color door at a PNP, you can start calling local reputable 'over the counter' yards. They should be able to tell you if they have a matching door. I my experience, they don't haggle.

 

Thanks! Fantastic advice.

How can I find out exactly which tools I need to remove a door?

 

Open your current door and look at it. Think about what it will take to remove it. Test fit some sockets.

Take a person more experienced with this kind of stuff with you. Extra hands handling a door is good, plus, not to be rude, it does sound like you could use a little over-the-shoulder guidance.

 

Remove yours, then you'll know. Experience is the best teacher.

I think it takes a 14mm socket and a long extension. You may have to remove (or partially remove) the fender to get at the bolts. Its a bit more complicated if you have electric windows/locks.

Its quite heavy, so have a friend/relative help you out.

 

All great advice. Thanks!

 

Another quick question: will any door from any first gen Tacoma model work or will it need to be my exact model? I looked around a bit for an answer and it looked like any model and year should work, but I wanted to get confirmation if possible. Thanks!