NOTE: See TSB 23-35-98 for cautions and procedure for door panel removal
See window glass replacement for door panel removal photos and instructions

Visit Geno's Garage for Truck accessories.

>  I purchased some replacement rear speakers for my ram .  Can
> anybody who has installed these tell me what's involved in getting
> the panels off to replace them ???  I have a  '94 standard cab. 

You need to remove the 2 lower christmas trees (be careful you don't want to damage them) as well as the screw at the lower part.  There are two clips holding the top of the panel.  You need a long screwdriver to push on the tab.  If you yank them off your risk messing up the tabs.

From: blane@voicenet.com

here are instructions on removing interior trim panels.

quarter vent window, club cab: remove rear seat, door sill cover, remove seat belt anchors, remove screws holding panel, using a plastic stick or flat bladed screw driver separate quarter panel trim from quarter panel, pull seat belt web through opening and remove panel from truck. then just reverse to install.

door panel: roll window down, remove window crank, if equipped. remove screws inside arm rest cup, disengage clips holding power doors\windows with a flat blade screwdriver, disengage wire connection from switch, if power mirrors, unscrew the retaining nut, after pulling off the knob, remove screw if equipped, using a trim panel tool {available from most auto parts stores, 10-15 bucks} disengage clips around perimeter with a prying outward motion, disengage power mirror wire, while holding bottom of panel away from door, simultaneously lift upward and forward, separate panel from inner belt weather-strip. then just reverse to install, with your hand tap panel where the clips are to snap them in.

Taken from the 94 service manual - Door Trim Panel Removal.

1. Release latch and open door :)
2. Roll window down
3. Remove window crank (or for pwr, remove the switches)
4. Disengage clips holding power window/lock switch panel to door trim panel. Disengage wire connectors from switch panel, if equipped.
5. Remove screws holding door trim panel to door from inside arm rest pull cup.
6. Remove screw holding door trim panel to outside mirror frame.
7. Using a suitable prying tool, disengage clips holding door trim to door around perimeter of trim panel.
8. While holding bottom of trim panel away from door, lift upward.
9. Separate door trim panel from inner belt weather-strips
10. Disengage power outside mirror wire connector from control switch
11. Separate door trim panel from vehicle.

 

Subject:        [RAM] Re: Door Panels
From:           captain@capecod.net

I'm not sure about the 96, but I recently had my 98 panel off for speaker upgrade. I think it is probably the same set up... the typical plug in fasteners, about 15 or so around the outer perimeter. If you have the toll that looks like a dandelion puller your in good shape.

remove 3 screws.. 2 in the handle and one up at the top front corner...

Start at the corner nearest the bottom front and work your way back. Its on pretty tight so you'll need some leverage. Pop each one out one at a time using the puller. I believe there is 5 or 6 across the bottom. then up the sides using the same method. When they are all out, you need to lift it up over the door lock. The electric control is held in place by 2 metal clips. Push in the front one as you also push the unit up from the bottom. You are trying to "pop" the front up and then slide the entire unit back down through the slot it was just sitting in. And that's it.

I actually broke 2 of my plastic fasteners because I did not have the tool... I repaired it and it is fine since there are so many of them. A quick note, the speaker wire is short and very difficult to splice... I would try to get a speaker harness form crutchfield if I was doing it again. I spent a good half hour splicing short wires.... good luck!

captain
98 4x4 rc sb lsd 360

> I am trying to get the drivers side door panel off. It has  electric
> windows and locks. Can someone provide instructions for
> removal?

Remove the 2 screws in the hand well. Remove the hand well. Reach inside and unclip the electric window/lock assembly. Pull it out far enough to unplug the cable. If you have electric mirrors, pull off the adjusting knob. Unscrew the nut holding the mirror switch. Remove the door panel with a clip remover (screw driver works but may cause damage) starting at the bottom.

Subject:       Re: [RAM] Door Panel removal
From:          KDshear@aol.com

Remove the two screws in the door pull handle, the one screw at the mirror controller, pull the mirror controller straight off, use a flat pry tool and pop the plastic door plugs all the way around the door ( I think there are about 10) and lift the panel up and out.

Good luck.  Kirby

>> I must replace the body side molding on the door of my Ram.
>> I've got the replacement part and it just sticks onto the
>> side.  It looks easy enough to remove the molding but I'm
>> sure some of the two-sided tape will remain stuck to the
>> door.  Does anyone know what to use to remove the remaining
>> adhesive and not harm the paint?  Also....could someone post
>> instructions on how to remove the interior door panel without
>> damaging it?
>
> From:   Stephen D Belt <Stephen_D_Belt@ccm.ch.intel.com>
>
> I use my thumb and a lot of pressure.  This isn't a very scientific
> method, but it has worked for me.  It takes forever and there must
> be a better way, but I don't scratch the paint.

   3M MAKES  A PRODUCT CALLED ALL PURPOSE ADHESIVE REMOVER PART# 08984 THAT  WORKS GREAT. ALSO ON ROAD DEBRIS. BUT IT ALSO REMOVES WAX SO YOU'LL HAVE TO REDO YOUR WAX BUT IT WILL NOT HARM PAINT
 
> Here are the instructions from my FSM, with comments from me.  I've
> done this once before about a month ago...
>
>   (1)  Open door
>   (2)  Roll window down
>   (3)  Remove window crank (if equipped)  This appears to be just
>        press onto a spindle, but I don't know, I have power.
>   (4)  Remove the screws in arms rest pull cup.
>   (5)  Remove power window/lock panel.  Steve NOTE: Do this by sliding
>        a screwdriver under the panel on the door lock switch end.
>        Using the screwdriver to press in the clip (you can't see it
>        under there) and then prying that end up.  If this scares you
>        now, wait to do it after the door panel is basically off the
>        truck.
>   (6)  Remove the screw by the outside mirror.
>   (7)  Disengage clips holding power trim to door around perimeter
>        of panel.  Steve NOTE: I don't have any special tools, so I
>        just pull the darn things out by hand.  This pretty much
>        ruins the clips, which should be available in large numbers
>        from the dealer, at a minimal cost.  These clips are just
>        these plastic rivet things....hard to explain.
 
YOU CAN BUY A DOOR PANEL CLIP REMOVAL TOOL FROM ANY AUTO BODY SUPPLY STORE ABOUT 10 BUCKS ITS A LITTLE BIGGER THAN A STANDARD SCREWDRIVER BUT HAS A FORK ON THE END TO GET IN AN BEHIND THE CLIPS THAT LOOK LIKE A PLUG WITH GROVES TO HOLD IN PLACE. IF THEY PULL OUT OF THE DOOR PANEL JUST GET UNDER THE HEAD AN PRY OUT LATER THEN REINSTALL ON DOOR PANEL BEFORE RE-INSTALL

>   (8)  Disengage power mirror wire connector, if equipped.

  YOU DON'T HAVE TO UNPLUG POWER MIRROR KNOB JUST UNSCREW ROUND BEVEL FROM WHERE THE TIP OF KNOB STICKS OUT

>   (9)  While holding bottom of trim panel away from door,
>        simultaneously lift upward and forward.  Steve NOTE:  This
>        is the most confusing part, but with the clips dislodged from
>        their holes you can still tell that the panel is somehow being
>        held on the door.  Holding the bottom of the panel, you have to
>        give it a pretty solid nudge up.

   WHEN PRYING UPWARD PULL OUT ON ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE BACK OF PANEL AND PUSH UP AND IN TOWARDS THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR TO RELEASE TOP OF PANEL FROM LIP OF DOOR

>   (10) Disengage power outside mirror wire connector from control
>        switch.
 
 REFER TO ABOVE TO UNSCREW THE BEZEL

  IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME PERSONALLY AT BLANE@VOICENET.COM AS AUTOGLASS IS WHAT I DO FOR A LIVING

>   (11) All done, unless you still need to mess with the power window/
>        lock switch, which is why I had thought I had to remove my panel
>        the time I did it....
>
>I hope this helps, and that you get it before you already figured it out.
>
>Steve Belt
>1995 2500HD V10 4x4 -- Phx, AZ