So here's the situation - one of the kids friends for some reason thought it would be a good idea to place their cell phone inside the seat belt slot. Needless to say, it was a bad idea and the phone fell through.

This is on the passenger side, 3rd row - furthest back seat belt opening. Phone appears to have fallen towards the rear (from calling it and listening to it ring and vibrate). This panel appears to be more or less a one piece design - ie - it starts pretty much at and under the rear door and runs all the way to the cargo door. I tried opening the jack hatch and getting through that way, it's pretty solid too.

I have a body shop guy I can take it too, my fear is that some clips will get broken and I will forever be subject to squeaks and rattles - not to mention paying for something that isn't mine. Any thoughts or ideas? I told my wife the kids parents could probably more economically just go get her a new phone, let that battery eventually die, and go on.

Has anyone successfully taken this panel out? Not sure why anyone would unless it was to replace a speaker or something - and if so, how much of a PITA was it?

Thanks,

Mike

 

Well there are a couple of things on an instruction manual that I have.

1. start with removing the scuff plate at bottom.
2. remove the seat bet hanger and clip. 15mm.
3. start at top and peel back panel. 4 clips.
4. phillips screw at the bottom. (follow invisible line down from speaker.)


Doesn't sound bad but you always take a chance on breaking the clips.

good luck.

Al

 

Officer has pretty much covered the instructions. Just take your time and use a flash light. You can usually see where the next clip is and grip closer to that. Sometimes you can get a long flat screw driver close to the clips and use that to help pry out. I had mine apart part way to check the speaker. A bit of a pita but not unmanageable.

 

It's actually pretty easy I've had mine off a number times. I remove it about twice a year when I do my biyearly gutting of the truck for cleaning. I pressure wash the carpet. I also sound-proofed my truck so everything had to come out.

~Pull out the 3rd seat.
~Pull up the scuff trim.
~Pull the trim that is between the roof and the top part of the large panel with the jack storage door on it. this is the hardest one. Pull from the upper part near the window first. I think there are 3 push clips that hold it on.

~Remove the 2nd row seat belt at the top. Just the bolt.

~Pull that panel loose. You can remove it or you can leave it there and pull the big panel out from underneath it if memory serves.

~Remove the scuff/kick plate on the second row door. Pull the rubber trim back.

~You'll need to lift the front part of the carpet. That plastic kick pad that is right in front of the third row.

~If I recall, there is a screw that goes into the floor right around where the 3rd row was. It's under the carpet so when you pull the carpet back some. Remove that screw.

~Pull the panel back. You'll feel where the points are that hold it on. Just pull straight back on those areas. There's one right in the middle of the C-pillar below the seat belt attachment point you just removed.

Simple to do. But it takes a little bit of time. You shouldn't need tools (other than the one to remove the screw) but if you decide to use tools (like a flat blade screwdriver), the wider the better.

Heck...might as well get some sound-proofing since you're gonna tear it apart.

Course you might wanna try and get it with these first. They are an indispensable part of my tool collection. Especially since I own a motorcycle. http://www.setools.com/mechfing.shtml


ON EDIT: If you think it is on the floor and against the panel. Just remove the seat, pull the carpet out (It's a separate piece from the front piece) and try to pull the bottom of the panel towards you to get access to the phone. If it works, it'll save you a lot of trouble of taking the truck apart...

 

Thanks, Ken - and all. I might try the path of least resistance and do the seat and carpet area - we have a good idea where it is, but I just don't want to end up with a couple broke clips on that panel and a loose and squeaky truck going forward.

FYI, I have the "fingers" tool too -- Tried it but couldn't get any grab. Also tried an extendable and jumbo magnet but am guessing the phone is more of a plastic case than metal.

Mike

 

subscribed--

 

Hey Monsta- Did you ever do a full write-up on sound proofing the X? I'd like to add some to mine, but ripping the whole interior out is a bit scary.

 

No, but I could. Not that it's terribly difficult to do the actual soundproof application. Just peel and stick.

It takes about an hour to gut your truck. It's really very easy. Once you do it you'll want to do it all the time. Especially when you really want it clean. Cleaning the carpet around the doors and under the 2nd row is a PITA with everything inside. The tracks of the 2nd row collect a lot of stuff too.

Man, cleaning it all with the pressure washer in your driveway makes it SO much cleaner!

 

Sorry for the hi-jack, but what sound deadener did you use? I've heard some good things about e-dead, but have no first hand experience.

 

I used B-Quiet peel and stick stuff. It was on sale at the time. There are a lot of choices but I think most are all made in the same plant and branded different. Kinda like batteries.