Can anyone let me know if there are any tricks to removing the plastic trim panel on the rear door?
I had the unfortunate experience of pulling out rather than lifting up on my drivers door panel when removing it, and snapped the lower tabs right off. Thankfully I found a replacement at the boneyard.

 

I yanked mine off trying to get at that rear wiper motor. I started to pull out the outside tabs first then getting my hand under and pushing out from the inside on all the inner tabs. This panel is held in like it's in a military vehicle. Alot of tabs, but I managed to not snap any.

 

Did you notice what type of free space was inside of the gate?
I am thinking of putting a couple of amps inside if they will fit.

Also, does the panel require a straight pull or a upward pull like the door panels?

 

step by step:

1) The top of the liftgate has a U shaped trim peice. Start by pulling the top of it downward, towards the bottom of the liftgate - if the liftgate were closed, top to bottom.

2) Pull the left and right sides inward, their clips are at a different angle than the top.

3) Make sure none of the metal clips are still stuck in the liftgate.

4) Remove the liftgate strap

5) The liftgate trip will pull off. It's kind of hard but work around it. I would buy new fastners because they are the kind that lose strength when you take them out. I got mine for around $5 at the dealer. I didn't notice enough room to mount any amps... that's just me though. These instructions are for the 1997 - 2001 maybe 2002-04 but they should def. work up to 2001

 

All,

Some time ago, a poster named Southprk posted the following directions for removing the lift gate panel (for the purpose of accessing the rear wiper motor):

step by step:

1) The top of the liftgate has a U shaped trim peice. Start by pulling the top of it downward, towards the bottom of the liftgate - if the liftgate were closed, top to bottom.

2) Pull the left and right sides inward, their clips are at a different angle than the top.

3) Make sure none of the metal clips are still stuck in the liftgate.

4) Remove the liftgate strap

5) The liftgate trip will pull off. It's kind of hard but work around it. I would buy new fastners because they are the kind that lose strength when you take them out. I got mine for around $5 at the dealer. I didn't notice enough room to mount any amps... that's just me though. These instructions are for the 1997 - 2001 maybe 2002-04 but they should def. work up to 2001

I have a couple of questions to clarify the above steps. In step 1, is the U-shaped piece the trim part that goes across the top of the rear window opening, and down on either side (so it is a large, upside-down U)?

In step 2, is this still referring to the part that is on either side of the glass window in the hatch?

I am assuming that step 5 is the first step that actually talks about the main panel. Does this lift up, primarily, to remove it?

I could just try this, but am wary of breaking tabs or clips because I'm trying to push or pull things in the wrong direction.

Thanks for any pointers that any of you all have.

Bob Schleicher
2000 EB Expedition, 81,000 miles
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Yes step 2 is still talking about the piece above the main panel. You must remove it first to remove the main panel. The main panel pulls away from the liftgate, not up/down. It will pull out, but like I said - buy new fastners.
aschaible@comteam.com

 

Thanks, Southprk. I was hoping you'd reply, even though your original post was some time ago.

Bob Schleicher

 

Yeah np it sends me an email when people reply! I sold my expedition 6 mo's ago hehe