2002 door panel removal

flyman · 12-22-2008, 10:33 AM

How do you remove the front door panel on a 2002 explorer

jluv · 12-30-2008, 01:47 PM

1. Remove the two (or maybe 3) small screws at the very bottom of the door panel.

2. The piece with the window/lock switch buttons pries out by putting your fingertips between the top edge and the panel itself and pulling back and over away from the panel.

3. Once that's loose, the piece below that that goes around the door handle pops out. Set aside.

Unplug the piece with the switches and set aside.

4. There is now one more screw behind those pieces you just removed. Take it out.

5. Now lift up on the panel and it will slide up about an inch and then come off. On the driver's side you will still have a plug to undo where the power mirrors hook up to the switch.

I've done it a hundred times, but it's been a few months. You may have to reverse steps 2 and 3. Those pieces snap into the door and hold onto each other. Without being down in my truck right this second I cannot be sure which one loosens up first, but it should be obvious once you get started.

Just remember - once you have the screws and those two pieces removed, be sure to lift up on the panel. It doesn't just "pop out" like a lot of other panels.

jhard · 02-22-2009, 11:26 AM

A little old, but for anybody else interested here's a couple PDF's with pictures and instructions for removing the Front and Rear door panels.

Front:
http://rapidshare.com/files/20123833...oval.Guide.pdf

Rear:
http://rapidshare.com/files/20123846...oval.Guide.pdf

F15E_WSO · 02-21-2011, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhard

A little old, but for anybody else interested here's a couple PDF's with pictures and instructions for removing the Front and Rear door panels.

Front:
http://rapidshare.com/files/20123833...oval.Guide.pdf

Rear:
http://rapidshare.com/files/20123846...oval.Guide.pdf

Does anyone know if this is basically the same for a 2001 Sport? And if NOT a link or other thread for 2001 Sport door panel removal?

12-22-2008, 10:33 AM	#1
flyman Wannabe Elite Explorer Little Rock 2002 Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	2002 door panel removal How do you remove the front door panel on a 2002 explorer

12-30-2008, 01:47 PM	#2
jluv Wannabe Elite Explorer DFW, TX '04 XLS Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 444 Vehicle Specs	1. Remove the two (or maybe 3) small screws at the very bottom of the door panel. 2. The piece with the window/lock switch buttons pries out by putting your fingertips between the top edge and the panel itself and pulling back and over away from the panel. 3. Once that's loose, the piece below that that goes around the door handle pops out. Set aside. Unplug the piece with the switches and set aside. 4. There is now one more screw behind those pieces you just removed. Take it out. 5. Now lift up on the panel and it will slide up about an inch and then come off. On the driver's side you will still have a plug to undo where the power mirrors hook up to the switch. I've done it a hundred times, but it's been a few months. You may have to reverse steps 2 and 3. Those pieces snap into the door and hold onto each other. Without being down in my truck right this second I cannot be sure which one loosens up first, but it should be obvious once you get started. Just remember - once you have the screws and those two pieces removed, be sure to lift up on the panel. It doesn't just "pop out" like a lot of other panels.

02-22-2009, 11:26 AM	#3
jhard Wannabe Elite Explorer Toronto, Ontario '04 Limited Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 113 Vehicle Specs	A little old, but for anybody else interested here's a couple PDF's with pictures and instructions for removing the Front and Rear door panels. Front: http://rapidshare.com/files/20123833...oval.Guide.pdf Rear: http://rapidshare.com/files/20123846...oval.Guide.pdf