How to Remove Toyota 4Runner Tailgate Rear Hatch Door Panel

Door Trim Removal Tool from Amazon: amzn.to/2hP07hb
Door Trim Removal Tool from Walmart.com: bit.ly/3GwKqak
Screw Driver: amzn.to/2zl46Jx
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Learn how to quickly remove rear tailgate/hatch door panel on a Toyota 4Runner 2003-2009.

[@jimcoles3356]

Very useful. For those of you wanting to replace your rear hatch lock actuator -- ~$230 online; the roughly 10" x 10" enclosed electro-mechanical assembly embedded in the hatch which includes the 'claw' that grabs onto the lock 'hook' -- this video is useful. After removing this big panel, 1) pop off the small (4 - 5") plastic cover surrounding the actuator 'claw'; suggest using very thin plastic putty knife or even a plastic spatula, 2) remove the old actuator by unscrewing four 10mm bolts (3 surrounding the 'claw', 1 about 12" above on inside of hatch), 3) unplug electrical connection, 4) Install new actuator by reversing steps 1 - 3. 5) reinstall big panel. Worked like a charm for me.

[@kimberlydaronco2673]

Thanks so much! That handle screw was the problem!

[@Peter-wy9sr]

Thanks for this video, it really helped with my '08 4runner. I had a broken license plate screw that needed to be removed from the back. I used two of the orange prying tools at once to remove the cover, so I was able to avoid using my fingers. For the '08 the strap screw was only a hex head, not Philips

[@tee228]

i had a feeling it was done something like this but always better to see a video so i dont break anything lol gonna install some sound deadener to stop the rattle from my subs 😄 thanks bro!!

[@franklight8726]

Thanks for the video. My sister's 2003 4Runner was getting water inside the lift gate and needed a new rear window seal. To make sure there was no debris inside the panel I removed it and part of the plastic with the sticky black stuff. All was well, but I did need another set of hands to get the panel back on.

[@wendellf8659]

I replaced the rear window seal and water is still getting in. Anyone have any suggestions?

[@Tenasedeinc]

Hey can you do a vid on how to change the auto lock feature?

[@ceceliaputnam4816]

Thanks this was a good video to actually see how to remove the back panel!

[@ScottsGarage]

Thanks so much for the feedback. Hope we were able to help out a bit. And thanks for watching!

[@sgtbilkothe3rd]

Had the rear defroster on for maybe 3 minutes on a frosty morning, window was barely just starting to melt some of the frost on the window when the entire rear window shattered into a million pieces and fell into the rear door. After removing the door panel I spent about an hour getting all the broken glass out of the door. There was no short in the defroster wiring (not that I could see anyway), and no fuse blew. So a very strange incident. Glass replaced through insurance, but now I am wondering if I can ever use the rear defroster again.

[@brendamoreau9267]

My rear power back window "fell" and I got my panel off (watching your video) but I am a little lost at putting the window back on track. Help??

[@Radtke_Makes]

This is great, thanks. Any way that you'd be able to make a video for removing the rear wiper motor?

[@ScottsGarage]

Good idea. I'll put it on the short list of videos we are trying to make soon. Thanks for watching.

[@musidarr]

Hi, Can you share some videos on how to remove and replace trunk lid cover for LC200, i need to install new order led lid cover but don't know how to do it at home... need some help...

[@julianvandersteen2303]

Does this work for all 4th gens or specifically 2003 - 2005?

[@luciacastillo8918]

Would this work for a '95 4runner or only 3rd Gen and later?

[@mikekc8vse958]

Can anyone advise how to remove the left side panel in the rear area? I have a 2006 with 3rd row seats

[@aarontreharne4641]

Do you have one on a 93 or are they all the same

[@broletsdiginasmr5366]

Can you access the license plate screw there or no? I want to lock my license plate to prevent theft. Thanks.

[@jose.a.campines0269]

Exelent 👍

[@ScottsGarage]

Thanks so much for the encouragement. More videos to come!

[@SarenDracul]

Thanks i had to remove the inner panel cause i put my license plate in the window to go and get some screws to actually put it on and they got playing with buttons while i was in the store and my plate fell inside it cause they rolled down the window back there

[@no.me.mires.como.cara.d.pndej0]

Wow 👍👍👍🤙🤙

[@alexandraalexandra7243]

Can you do a “How to put back on” please

[@ceceliaputnam4816]

Do it in reverse order. (I had to re-watch this and notice how he slid it up to remove it). Place it close to window and slide down,it should catch and stay on it's own so you can line the plastic pieces with the holes.

[@shadowstrangler1]

I have like rocks inside. Is there more to remove to reach the rocks ? When I open the lift gate I hear rocks and when I put the rear glass down I hear it scraping

[@Marcoosianism]

I hear stuff rattling in there as well. Opened the plastic hand-grip inserts to find a whole bunch of pieces of rust. Looked in with a flashlight and the inner hatch frame was all rusted. Probably due to water seeping in the window seal. May not be rocks, is what I'm saying ;-)

[@shadowstrangler1]

@Marcoosianism yep I ended up opening it, and it was broken glass. Don't know if it's from my current glass or if it has been replaced before. Window still goes down to this day so there's nothing wrong.

[@Marcoosianism]

@@shadowstrangler1 Thx for replying after an original 3 yr old post. Glad your window is working. I'm going to open mine up, vacuum out the rust and check it out. Mine had a previous owner and there was broken glass in the place where the seats bolt it. Seems our cars may have had shady pasts, hehe.

[@shadowstrangler1]

apparently the defroster is a big problem with these if you forget to turn it off.@@Marcoosianism

[@Marcoosianism]

Great to know! Thank you. @@shadowstrangler1