Paul's Travel Pictures

Jeep Cherokee Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door panels in a 5th generation 2014 to 2018 Jeep Cherokee to upgrade the speakers.

Main Menu            Home           Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures            Articles            My Blog

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-001
2015 Cherokee Door Panel
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-002
Door Opener Handle
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-003
Pull Out Plastic Trim Piece
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the fifth generation (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and probably also the revised 2018 model year) Jeep Cherokee 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 Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat and RAM vehicles such as the Compass, Renegade, Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Patriot, 500, Town & Country, 200, 300, Pacifica, Challenger, Charger, Dart, Durango, Journey, Grand Caravan, RAM 1500, C/V Tradesman and ProMaster Van may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools needed to remove the door panel include a Phillips head screwdriver, a 10mm socket, a 7mm socket, a 1/4" drive ratchet and a plastic pry bar tool (or a large flathead screwdriver).

To remove the OEM door speakers, you'll need a Torx T20 star bit screwdriver.



 
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-004
Phillips & 10mm Screws
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-005
Loosen Counterclockwise
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-006
Phillips Screw Removed
The first two steps are to lower the power window all the way down and then open the door.

Gently pull out the plastic trim piece located behind the door opener handle. There is a tab on the rear edge that makes it relatively easy to remove. If necessary, you can use a flathead screwdriver to pry it out.

Remove the small screw by turning it counterclockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Set the screw aside in a safe place.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-007
Pry Out Rubber Cover
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-008
7mm Screw - Bottom Well
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-009
Remove 10mm Bolt
Then pry out the rubber cover located near the center of the armrest at the bottom of the door pull handle well with the flathead screwdriver.

Set the rubber cover aside in a safe place.

Remove the bolt behind the door opener handle by turning it counterclockwise with a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-010
10mm Bolt Removed
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-011
Remove 7mm Screw
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-012
7mm Screw Removed
Remove the small black screw at the bottom of the door pull handle well by turning it counterclockwise with a 7mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

Set the 10mm bolt and the 7mm screw aside with the plastic and rubber trim covers.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-013
2 Screws, 1 Bolt, 2 Trim
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-014
Pull Out Bottom Edge
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-015
Release Pop Rivets
Insert the plastic pry bar tool or a large flathead screwdriver in between the bottom edge of the door panel and the metal door frame.

Firmly pull out the bottom edge of the door panel to disengage the plastic pop rivets.

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

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-016
Pull Panel Off Door Frame
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-017
Tilt Away Top Edge Panel
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-018
Pull Out Door Handle
There are a few more pop rivets along the top edge of the door panel.

Gently pull the top edge of the door panel off the metal door frame.

Tilt the top edge of the door panel towards yourself and support the bottom edge with your legs.

To release the door opener handle and door lock switch assembly, gently pull the rear edge (close to the cables) away from the back of the door panel.



 

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-019
Door Handle Removed
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-020
Press Release Tab
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-021
Disconnect Green Plug
Remove the door opener handle from the opening in the door panel.

Press in the release tab on the green plastic electrical connector before sliding it straight out of its socket.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-022
Slide Out Grey Power Plug
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-023
Door Panel Removed
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-024
Metal Door Frame
Press the release tab on the grey plastic power plug before sliding it straight out of its socket.

Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-025
Remove Torx T-20 Screws
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-026
Hold Panel Near Frame
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-027
Re-Insert Opener Handle
The OEM door speaker is located at the bottom inner corner of the metal door frame.

Remove the four speaker screws by turning them counterclockwise with a Torx T-20 star bit screwdriver.

I recommend applying some Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame to help reduce vibrations and rattles which will allow your new speakers to sound their best when you crank up the volume.

To replace the plastic door panel, hold it near the metal door frame.

Re-insert the door opener handle in to the opening.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-028
Push On Plastic Bracket
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-029
Door Handle Secured
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-030
Push In Green Power Plug
Lower the rear edge of the door opener handle and door lock assembly in to the mounting bracket and push on it until it clicks securely in to place.

Double check that the door opener handle and door lock switch assembly is securely attached to the bracket.

Push the green plastic electrical connector straight in to its socket.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-031
Push In Grey Power Plug
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-032
Line Up Top Pop Rivets
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-033
Push In To Secure Fasteners
Slide the grey power plug straight in to its socket.

Line up the pop rivets along the top edge of the door panel with their corresponding holes in the metal door frame.

Push the top edge of the door panel back in to place.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-034
Line Up Lower Fasteners
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-035
Firmly Tap In Pop Rivets
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-036
Replace Phillips Screws
Line up the pop rivets on lower part of the door panel with their holes in the door frame.

Firmly tap in the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel.

Replace the Phillips head screw behind the door opener handle by turning it clockwise until it is snug.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-037
Smaller 7mm Screw
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-038
Tighten Clockwise
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-039
Re-Insert 10mm Bolt
Re-insert the smaller 7mm screw in to the bottom of the door pull well in the armrest.

Tighten it in the clockwise direction with the 7mm socket and a 1/4" driver ratchet.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-040
Tighten Clockwise
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-041
Re-Insert Plastic Cover
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-042
Trim Piece Replaced
Replace the 10mm bolt behind the door opener handle and tighten it in the clockwise direction.

Pop in the plastic trim piece behind the door opener handle.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-043
Re-Insert Rubber Cover
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-044
Door Pull Handle Well
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Interior-Door-Panels-Removal-Guide-045
Plastic Door Panel Replaced
Lower the rubber cover in to the bottom of the well in the armrest.

Sit inside the SUV, close the door and verify that the door opener handle, door lock switch, power window switch, power door lock switch and the new speaker are all working properly.

For more, check out all of my Jeep Cherokee DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

If you found this guide to be helpful, please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com "Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
(Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.)

Main Menu       Home       Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures       Articles       My Blog

 

Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
 All Rights Reserved ®

Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy     About Paul & Author Contact Info