[Solved] Problem Removing Driver Door Panel on 1998 Tacoma Limited

My truck has power windows and power door locks. I'm following Timmy's video on removing the door panel so I can replace the door check. I have the plastic panel tools. I wedged them near the front of the top part of the armrest and the longer part of the armrest. No matter how hard I pry I cannot get the clips in the top part to come out of the longer part. Same problem with the rear of the top part. I'm afraid that if I use all of my strength I will either break the plastic panel tools or damage the plastic parts inside the armrest.



How shall I proceed?

 

You're gonna have to yank on it. Nothing to it but to do it. I'd try and make sure the plastic isn't freezing so its not so stiff. When you pry make sure you aren't pulling against the fabric or you'll rip the glue off holding the fabric to the plastic.

 

As it went, I gave up trying to separate the two parts of the armrestg. When I finally got the panel off the door, I saw that the entire length of the armrest is fastened to the panel through the back by six Philips screws as shown below:



For those of you who have a 1998 with a panel like mine, here's what I did different than what Timmy did (I think he was working on a Gen 3 Forerunner).

I had already removed the two Philips screws that were underneath the two plastic caps in the armrest. I removed the screw that holds the inner door handle in place. Had a hard time getting the handle out. Didn't want to chance breaking the plastic clip that holds the inner door rod to the handle so I just left it connected. I also removed the power switch panel that's on the front of the armrest.

Next, I went around the bottom and sides of the panel and managed to pry most of the plastic door pins loose (I did manage to break two though ). Guess I'll hafta borrow the War Department's car tomorrow to pickup a dozen.

Then I powered the window all the way down (prolly didn't really have to do that), removed the top plastic sill (or whatever it's called - where the door lock button sticks out through the top of it) and that gave me access to two more door pins (one at each upper corner of the panel) which I removed. After removing the speaker and feeding the inner door handle through the panel I was done.

 

I think your issue is that you were watching a video for a 3rd gen 4runner door panel removal. They are different than the tacoma, you can tell by the image you posted in the 1st post.

To remove the door panel on a 95-00 or 01-04 the process is the same.

1. Unscrew the screw holding the door latch in place.
2. Slide door latch forward and inward to remove it from the metal interior panel.
3. Unclip the door latch rod from the door handle using a small flat head screwdriver and remove the handle.
4. Lift up on the front of the window switch trim, then slide it forward to release it from the door panel.
5. Unclip the wiring connectors from the window switch, lock switch, mirror switch and remove.
6. Remove the screw covers below the arm rest and remove the screws holding the door panel in place.
7. Remove the sail panel near the mirror by pulling it inwards at the top.
8. Work your way around the panel pulling it inwards to pop the plastic clips off.
9. Once the panel is free from the clips, swing the lower part inwards and lift vertically to clear the door locking pin at the window sill.
10. For 95-00, disconnect the wiring connector for the courtesy light. For 01-04, disconnect the wiring connector for the tweeter.

If I missed anything, let me know and I can update this. I have taken my door panels off so many times it is like muscle memory now.

 

Excellent write-up. Short, sweet, and accurate. Thank you for posting it!

I made the mistake of lifting the plastic window sill piece off of the door before I removed the panel. When I went to install everything I started by mounting the panel. When I picked up the plastic sill I saw that there are eight little metal tabs in the plastic sill that go into eight small slits/slots in the panel. I had to straighten them out in order to get them into the slits, but then I had no way to bend them back.

Well, now I know. At least the sill doesn't rattle.

 

Many thanks for this. I watched a YouTube video and spent half an hour trying to get the door latch loose. No one mentions sliding the latch forward before pulling it inward. It will not release without the forward slide!