Removing rear door handles (finally)

Finally! I figured I would do a write up on something so common, but very overlooked. I am currently getting my truck wrapped at a local shop and they needed the rear door handles removed. After struggling with prying, searching the web, and thinking, I finally figured it out. The tools you need are:
Flathead screwdriver
Phillips head screwdriver
Razor
T30 star bit

*ROLL WINDOWS UP PRIOR TO STARTING*

The first step is to remove the door panel. To do this you use the phillips head and unscrew the 2 screws holding the door panel to the door. There is one screw in the small handle pocket, and one in the handle slot (behind a small plastic tab). From here you pull from the bottom and all of the pressure fit tabs should pop right off. You then need to release the power window plug which is a white pressure clip.

The next step is to cut about a 6" hole in the clear plastic liner (I used a razor blade) to fit your hand, and tools into the door. Next you want to use a T30 star bit with an extension and unscrew the bolt in the spot pointed to below.



Once this bolt is removed, the next step is to cut a small 1" hole around the latch mechanism plug shown below. Then you use a small flathead screwdriver to release the pressure clip, freeing the latch mechanism.




Once this plug is removed, you a freed up to remove the latch mechanism. There are 3 T30 screws in the side of the door that need to be removed.



Once the 3 screws are removed you can push the whole mechanism down into the door.



Next you need the T30 bit on an extension to reach the T30 screw through the latch hole. Unscrew that screw, it will stay in place and won't fall into the door.




Once the screw is removed, use a small flathead screwdriver to pry off the small cap on the outside of the door.



Next, slide the handle towards the back of the truck as pictured.



Once the handle is slid backwards, pull the part of the handle towards the rear of the truck out.



Once the rear is pulled out, simply slide the handle backwards again to remove the front part.


Enjoy

 

Awesome info! I'd like to add a little more if its ok;

After Colassio's last step, you can go further if you need to, as I did. I am getting my truck painted and I am doing as much of the disassembly as possible.

Once the handle has been removed, you can remove the inside mount. There is another T30 screw inside, it also will stay in place like the other one.

Since you have already unplugged & un-screwed the actuator, push that unit towards the outs side of the door and it will drop down slightly once the plug housing clears the wall, but not fall down as the two cables are still attached. This next image shows the lever, on the actuator, riding inside the slot of the door handle before removal.

You can remove the two plastic gaskets. Now you can slide the handle mount out buy gently tapping on the metal threaded insert.


As you do this you need to push the front end of the mount towards the inside of the door so the tabs clear the opening.

Now you can tape the inside of the opening off to sand and prep the door.

 

Directions SPOT ON! nice write up!

 

Thanks for this!!!