Removing door panel on a stuck shut door

2006 Tacoma Base model driver door is stuck shut. Both handles simultaneously stopped working.
I'm gonna have to remove the door panel to fix it.
I'm gonna go ahead and preemptively buy new clips because I'm sure its not coming off pretty.
I assume removing the bench seat will help.
Anyone have any tips on how to make door panel removal easier when the door is stuck shut?

 

Oof, this is gonna be a pain, but doable. Roll the window all the way down, remove the panel screws behind the little flip up covers, remove the wondow controls, and then use a spudger to pry the panel away starting at the top and working down around the sides as far as you can. Roll the window back up, and at that point you should try to reach down behind the panels and manually pull the latch from inside the door to open it up.

If you can't get your hand in, you'll have to fish with a coat hanger. If thats no good, The door panels are pretty tough and flexible, so you may want to risk ripping the panel upwards to break off any clips you can't pry out as many as you can.

If you can drive it to your local fire department they will have a slim Jim and will very likely be able to pop the doors for you so you can remove the panels in the parking lot and drive home.

Sounds like someone might have tried jimmying that door and fucked up the latch.

 

Remove this fabric cover to gain access to lock assembly or to gain a handle to remove door panel when door won't open

 

Those are heat welded I believe, did you have to pry it out hard? You can reattach it from the back with small screws or you can try to re-melt the factory pegs.