How to replace rear DOOR (not the door panel, the actual door)

[mineral_ltd]

My rear driver's side door of my 03 grey Limited is scratched and the molding got cracked, plus my window motor quit. Luckily I was able to source a replacement door from a Limited with the exact same color.

What is the correct way to remove/replace the door?

Is the wiring connection plug inside the accordion rubber, inside the door or inside the door pillar?

Thanks.

 

[Kazer]

i guess i'd start by removing the door panel and disconnecting and pulling the wire looms through the door at the "accordian rubber" boot loaction. Then unbolt the door, bolt on the new one and re feed the wires.

heres how to remove the door panel to gain access to un hooking all of the wire connectors
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303524

 

[mineral_ltd]

I just took a closer look and don't think there's a molex connector inside the accordion rubber boot between the door and door pillar. I think the wires go all the way to the window motor, window switches and speaker.

 

[2Trux]

When I replaced the rear door on my 97 there was no main door wiring disconnect. You will need to disconnect each connector at its switch/motor/latch etc. and pull the entire harness from the door. Don't forget to label everything to speed up reassembly.

 

[obie]

Does the new door already have everything inside of it? If so, it's a lot easier to pull the interior trim off and it's either one or two wire connectors. Though, the Limiteds may have more.

 

[mineral_ltd]

The new door has everything in it. I asked the auto recycler to include as much wiring as they can so there's a foot of wiring hanging past the rubber boot.

I took the door panel off and followed the wiring, which splits to connect to the door lock, window switch, speakers, window motor. Sometimes the wire would pass through a hole in the door and run outside of the door cavity. There are 9 wires in total in the loom. Maybe it's easiest to just cut if off the wiring near the pillar and solder it to the new door.

 

[BigRondo]

There is a butt load of wires you would have to solder. IMO, this would take a long, long time and would be hugh PITA.

I recommend comparing the existing wires to the wires in the new door before cutting anything.

 

[mineral_ltd]

There are only 9 wires going from the car to the door so it wouldn't be hard to solder. I'm just worried about breaking the clips attaching the wires to the inside of the door and ending up with all kinds of rattles.

 

[BigRondo]

My mistake. I forgot that you are working with the rear door. I still would do the comparison before cutting anything.

If it were me, I would feed the existing harness into the new door.

Good luck.

 

[mineral_ltd]

I ended up removing the wire harness from the door and pulling it out through the hole in the door. Some of the clips holding wiring to the door took some force to remove.

Then I supported the door with a jack and removed the 2 small bolts holding the self-closer to the truck. Next I unscrewed the 4 bolts attatching the hinge to the door until there are just a few threads left, got someone to help hold the door so it doesn't fall backwards and unscrewed the bolts with my fingers.