How to remove door panels to install speakers

**JuneBug** · 05-21-2011, 01:10 AM

I found this site which has a nice tutorial on how to remove the inside door panels on the 4.3 RAV4. Should be handy for anyone who wants to upgrade the speakers, repair power windows, door locks, or side mirrors. Lots of pictures:

How To Remove Door Panels On A 2008 Toyota RAV4

2010PMRAV4 · 05-21-2011, 05:47 AM

Thanks.

mikOll · 05-23-2011, 01:39 AM

awesome find!

detailed with lots of pics. this should be stickied due to the fact that everyone seems to hate the audio coming from the speakers.

music81 · 05-23-2011, 12:32 PM

This is an awesome find buddy.

rscotta831 · 05-23-2011, 05:14 PM

Why on Earth anyone would need to line plastic panels with protective tape to use a flathead screwdriver to pry open an adjacent plastic panel is beyond me. Metal will dent in the plastic. Why take the risk?

Get yourself a cheap-azz plastic pry tool & be done with it. Or if you need one immediately, check Wal-Mart or your local automotive stores for a "Plastic Pry Tool Kit." Then you can pry open any plastic meeting plastic without scratching either piece.

Prying open plastic using metal is asking for a break, crack or dent.

veliksam · 05-24-2011, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rscotta831

Why on Earth anyone would need to line plastic panels with protective tape to use a flathead screwdriver to pry open an adjacent plastic panel is beyond me. Metal will dent in the plastic. Why take the risk?

Get yourself a cheap-azz plastic pry tool & be done with it. Or if you need one immediately, check Wal-Mart or your local automotive stores for a "Plastic Pry Tool Kit." Then you can pry open any plastic meeting plastic without scratching either piece.

Prying open plastic using metal is asking for a break, crack or dent.

I agree, using a flat screwdriver is just stupid! Use the plastic pry tools like mentioned.

ksutherland1 · 01-02-2013, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veliksam

I agree, using a flat screwdriver is just stupid! Use the plastic pry tools like mentioned.

Amen to that, a plastic pry tool makes it so much easier, just finished replacing the original speakers with a pair of Rockford Fosgate Punch speakers, big improvement. Could not believe the crap size of the original speakers. Also fitted an after market Chinese Nav/DVD/Radio with reversing camera (Not an easy job at all) also added a blitz powered sub in the rear area, nice sound now.

rjj130 · 01-03-2013, 08:06 AM

I'm often successful at prying panels off with my fingers... not sure that I've ever used a flat head or pry tool.

Yes, it doesn't feel that good on the fingers, but gets the job done just the same!

ronbo1313 · 01-03-2013, 10:40 AM

Harbor Freight has a nice set of plastic trim removal tools about $4.99 IF you have coupon. On sale a lot for $6.99.

link::: NOTE: have to click on the tool under the minus sign to see them 5 Piece Auto Trim and Molding Tool Set

sushiguy732 · 01-03-2013, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronbo1313

Harbor Freight has a nice set of plastic trim removal tools about $4.99 IF you have coupon. On sale a lot for $6.99.

link::: NOTE: have to click on the tool under the minus sign to see them 5 Piece Auto Trim and Molding Tool Set

I LOVE Harbor Freight Tools! I also need a trim removal kit but I am not near the store anytime soon and I am too cheap to pay for shipping. :-)

Awesome post!

05-21-2011, 01:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
JuneBug Your Humble Administrator Country: Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 8,986 Thanks: 37 Thanked 627 Times in 519 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	How to remove door panels to install speakers I found this site which has a nice tutorial on how to remove the inside door panels on the 4.3 RAV4. Should be handy for anyone who wants to upgrade the speakers, repair power windows, door locks, or side mirrors. Lots of pictures: How To Remove Door Panels On A 2008 Toyota RAV4 __________________ James __________________ 2008 Limited V6 2WD "The Silver Bullet" •Tow Prep •Autodim mirror w/compass •Wade deflector •Weathertech visors •BluLogic Bluetooth •QuickLift hood struts •Auto door locks • (((XM))) radio •Homelink •Unswitched 12V outlets Last edited by JuneBug; 05-21-2011 at 01:12 AM.

05-23-2011, 05:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
rscotta831 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 394 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Why on Earth anyone would need to line plastic panels with protective tape to use a flathead screwdriver to pry open an adjacent plastic panel is beyond me. Metal will dent in the plastic. Why take the risk? Get yourself a cheap-azz plastic pry tool & be done with it. Or if you need one immediately, check Wal-Mart or your local automotive stores for a "Plastic Pry Tool Kit." Then you can pry open any plastic meeting plastic without scratching either piece. Prying open plastic using metal is asking for a break, crack or dent. __________________ My Install Alpine IVA-W205 2 JL 1000/1 2 JL 13W7 Last edited by rscotta831; 05-23-2011 at 05:19 PM.

05-21-2011, 05:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
2010PMRAV4 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 38 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks.

05-23-2011, 01:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
mikOll Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Elmhurst, NY Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	awesome find! detailed with lots of pics. this should be stickied due to the fact that everyone seems to hate the audio coming from the speakers.

05-23-2011, 12:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
music81 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 28 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	This is an awesome find buddy.

01-03-2013, 08:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
rjj130 Junior Member Country: Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: PA - Pennsylvania Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'm often successful at prying panels off with my fingers... not sure that I've ever used a flat head or pry tool. Yes, it doesn't feel that good on the fingers, but gets the job done just the same!

01-03-2013, 10:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
ronbo1313 Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: western new york Posts: 896 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Harbor Freight has a nice set of plastic trim removal tools about $4.99 IF you have coupon. On sale a lot for $6.99. link::: NOTE: have to click on the tool under the minus sign to see them 5 Piece Auto Trim and Molding Tool Set

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