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Dodge Journey Interior Door Panels Removal Guide
How to remove the interior door panels of a 1st generation 2009 to 2014 Dodge Journey to upgrade the speakers.

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2013 Journey Door Panel
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Pry Out Door Pull Well Cover
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Screw Below Cover
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the 1st generation (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014) Dodge Journey SUV in taking off the plastic interior door panels in order to upgrade the OEM speakers, add soundproofing material, fix a faulty electrical switch or replace a broken power window motor.

Owners of other Chrysler, Dodge and RAM vehicles with similar blower motor housings such as the Town & Country, 300, 200, Avenger, Challenger, Charger, Dart, Durango, Grand Caravan, Ram C/V Tradesman and 1500 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools required to take off the door panels include a small flathead screwdriver, a 10mm socket and 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench, a Phillips head screwdriver, a flathead screwdriver and a Torx T-30 star bit screwdriver.

To remove the OEM door speakers, you'll need a Torx T-20 screwdriver.

The window motor is held in place by Torx T-25 screws.



 
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Pry Out Trim Piece
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Screws Behind Door Handle
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Remove Torx T-30 Screw
The first step is to gently pry out the trim piece at the bottom of the well in the door pull handle near the center of the arm rest with the small flathead screwdriver.

Then pry out the plastic trim piece behind the chrome door opener handle with the small flathead screwdriver.

Set the trim panels aside in a safe place.

Remove the screw at the bottom of the door pull well with a Torx T30 star bit screwdriver by turning it counter clockwise.

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Arm Rest Screw Removed
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Loosen 10mm Screw
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Door Opener Handle Screw
Next remove the larger of the two screws behind the chrome door opener handle by turning it counter clockwise with the 10mm socket and 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench.

Set the two screws aside in a safe place.

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Trim Panels & Screws
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Remove Phillips Head Screw
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Phillips Screw Removed
Remove the smaller screw behind the chrome door opener handle by turning it counter clockwise with a Phillips head screwdriver. Set the screw aside with the other two screws.
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Insert Flathead Screwdriver
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Pry Out Pop Rivet Fasteners
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Lift Door Panel Off Frame
Carefully insert the flathead screwdriver in between the bottom edge of the door panel and the metal frame.

Pry out the bottom edge of the door panel to disengage the pop rivet friction fasteners.

If necessary, you may need to use a large flathead screwdriver or an automotive panel removal tool.

Continue pulling out the white plastic pop rivet friction fasteners all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel.

Lift the door panel up and off the lip at the top of the metal door frame.

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Door Opener Cable
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Unplug Power Connector
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Disconnect Power Plug
Tilt the top of the door panel towards yourself and support the bottom with your thighs.

Press the release buttons on the electrical connectors and slide them straight out of their sockets.



 

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Remove Door Handle
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Metal Door Frame
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OEM Door Speaker
Pull the door opener handle assembly out of the back of the door panel. (If you can't remove the door handle, make sure that you removed the small Phillips head screw on the front side.)

Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place.

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Remove T20 Screws
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4 Speaker Screws Removed
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Pull Out OEM Speaker
The OEM door speaker is held in place by four Torx T-20 screws.

Remove the screws by turning them counter clockwise with a Torx T20 star bit screwdriver.

Pull out the OEM speaker and press the release tab on the power plug to disconnect it.

The OEM door speakers can be replaced with aftermarket speakers in the following sizes: 6"x9", 5 1/4" (5.25") and 6 1/2" (6.5").

I'd recommend purchasing new speakers from Crutchfield since they usually include any necessary wiring harnesses, electrical connector adapters and/or mounting brackets.

To help reduce road noise and make your new speakers sound better, apply some Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame. It will help stop vibrations and rattles when you crank up the volume.

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Disconnect Speaker Plug
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Power Window Motor
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Torx T-25 Screws
To replace the power window motor, you'll need a Torx T25 star bit screwdriver.
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Re-Insert Door Handle
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Tighten Phillips Head Screw
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Push In Black Power Plug
To re-install the door panel, first re-insert the door opener handle.

Secure the door opener handle assembly in place by tightening the small black Phillips head screw in the clockwise direction.

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Push In Switch Panel Plug
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Replace Small White Plug
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Hang Door Panel On Lip
Push the power plugs back in to their sockets until they click securely in place.

Lower the top of the plastic door panel down on to the lip on the top of the metal door frame.

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Door Panel On Frame
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Line Up Peg & Pop Rivets
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Line Up White Pop Rivets
Look behind the door panel and line up the black plastic peg or "spike" and the white plastic pop rivet friction fasteners with their corresponding holes and grommets in the metal door frame.
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Tap In Friction Fasteners
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Re-Insert 10mm Screw
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Tighten 10mm - Clockwise
Firmly tap on the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel to fully re-insert all of the pop rivet friction fasteners.

Tighten the screw behind the door opener handle by turning it clockwise with the 10mm socket and ratcheting wrench.

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Tighten Arm Rest Screw
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Replace Rubber Cover
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Door Pull Well In Armrest
Tighten the screw at the bottom of the door pull handle well in the arm rest by turning it clockwise with the Torx T30 star bit screwdriver.

Push the screw cover down in to the bottom of the well at the center of the arm rest.

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Pop In Trim Piece
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Door Opener Handle Trim
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Door Panel Replaced
Pop the plastic trim panel in behind the door opener handle.

Sit inside your Journey, close the door, and check that the door opener handle, power door lock switch and power window switches all work properly.

For more, check out my other Dodge Journey Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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