Jeep Grand
Cherokee Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the interior door panels
and upgrade the speakers in a 4th generation WK2 2011-2016 Grand Cherokee.
2012 Grand Cherokee Door Panel |
Pry Out Handle Trim Panel |
Trim Piece Removed |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the 4th generation "WK2" (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
and
2016) Jeep Grand Cherokee in removing the 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, Jeep, Dodge and RAM vehicles with similar interior door panels such as the Town & Country, 300, 200, Patriot, Compass, Cherokee, Avenger, Challenger, Charger, Durango, Journey, Grand Caravan, Dart and C/V Tradesman may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The tools needed to remove the door panels include a 7mm socket, a 10mm socket, a 1/4" drive ratchet, a small flathead screwdriver and a Phillips head screwdriver. To remove the OEM door speaker or the power window motor, you'll need a Torx T-20 star bit screwdriver. |
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Pry Open Screw Cover |
Door Pull Handle Screw |
Remove 7mm Arm Rest Screw |
The first step is
to pull back the door opener handle and gently pry out the trim panel behind
it with a small flathead screwdriver. Set the trim panel aside in a safe
place. Then move to the bottom of the door pull handle well in the arm rest and pry open the screw cover with the small flathead screwdriver. Remove the screw at the bottom of the arm rest well by turning it counter clockwise with the 7mm socket and ratcheting wrench. Set the screw aside in a safe place. |
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Arm Rest Screw Removed |
Remove 10mm Screw |
Door Opener Handle Screw |
Remove the screw
behind the door opener handle by turning it counter clockwise with the 10mm
socket and 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench.
Set the screw aside with the other pieces. |
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Remove Phillips Head Screw |
Pry Up Switch Panel |
Switch Panel Removed |
Just next to where
the 10mm screw was installed there is a Phillips head screw that needs to be
removed in order to later remove the door opener handle assembly from the
door panel. Turn the screw counter clockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver and set it aside with the other screws. Carefully insert the small flathead screwdriver in to the front edge of the electrical switch panel and gently pry it out of the arm rest. Pull the switch panel straight out of the arm rest. |
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Press Plug Release Tab |
Slide Out Electrical Connector |
3 Screws - 2 Trim Panels |
Press the release
tab on the green electrical connector and slide it straight out of the
socket. At this point, you should have removed 3 screws total (7mm, 10mm, Phillips), the trim panel behind the door opener handle and the electrical switch panel. |
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Insert Flathead Screwdriver |
Pull Out Pop Rivets |
Pull Off Plastic Door Panel |
Insert the large
flathead screwdriver, or an automotive
panel pry bar tool, in to the bottom of the door panel and pry out the
white plastic pop rivet friction fasteners. Continue pulling out the pop rivets all along the bottom and two sides of the panel. Lift the plastic door panel up and off the lip at the top of the door frame. |
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Push Through Door Handle |
Remove Door Opener Handle |
Power Door Locks Plug |
Push the door
opener handle through the back of the panel to remove it. Locate the small white plastic electrical connector at the upper inner corner on the back side of the panel. |
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Press Release Button |
Disconnect Power Plug |
Plastic Door Panel Removed |
Press the release
tab on the power connector and slide it straight out of the socket. Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place. |
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Metal Door Frame |
OEM Door Speaker |
Remove Torx T20 Screws |
The OEM door
speaker is located near the bottom inner corner and is held in place by four
screws. Remove the four screws by turning them counter clockwise with the Torx T20 star bit screwdriver. |
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Four Speaker Screws |
Pull Off OEM Speaker |
Disconnect Power Plug |
Set the 4 speaker
screws aside in a safe place. Pull the OEM speaker straight out of the door frame, press the electrical connector's release tab and slide it straight out of the socket. |
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Install New Speaker |
Power Window Motor T20 |
Hold Panel Near Frame |
The OEM door
speakers can be replaced with aftermarket
speakers in the following sizes: 5
1/4" (5.25"), 6 1/2" (6.5"), 6 3/4" (6.75") and 6x9. The sizes depend on
whether you are replacing the speakers in the front or rear doors. I'd recommend purchasing new speakers from Amazon since you can verify that they will fit your SUV. If you'd like to reduce road noise and allow your new speakers to sound their best, apply some Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame. It will help stop vibrations and rattles when you crank up the volume. The power window motor is held in place by three Torx T20 screws. To replace the door panel, hold it near the door frame, tilt the top towards yourself and support the bottom with your thighs. |
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Reconnect Door Lock Plug |
Re-Insert Door Opener Handle |
Door Opener Handle Installed |
Push the small
white plastic power door lock plug in to the socket at the top inner corner
of the door panel. Insert the door opener handle in through the hole in the panel. |
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Tighten Phillips Head Screw |
Pull Out Electrical Connector |
Push Plug In To Switch Panel |
Secure the door
opener handle in place by tightening the since Phillips head screw. Pull the power wire for the electrical switch panel through the hole in the arm rest. Push the electrical connector straight in to the socket on the bottom of the switch panel. |
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Push In Switch Panel |
Insert Door Lock Stalk |
Line Up Pop Rivets |
Push the switch
panel straight down in to arm rest. Insert the door lock stalk through the hole at the top outer corner of the door panel. |
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Push In Friction Fasteners |
Firmly Tap Door Panel |
Replace 10mm Screw |
Line up the white
plastic pop rivet friction fasteners on the rear of the door panel with
their corresponding grommet holes in the door frame.
Firmly push the pop rivets in to place. Continue tapping all along the bottom and both sides of the panel to fully insert all of the friction fasteners. Replace the 10mm screw behind the door opener handle and tighten it with the 10mm socket and ratcheting wrench by turning it clockwise. |
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Door Opener Handle Screw |
Push In Trim Piece |
Trim Panel Replaced |
Push in the trim piece behind the door opener handle until it snaps back in to place. | ||
Tighten 7mm Arm Rest Screw |
Close Screw Cover |
Door Panel Replaced |
Tighten the smaller
black screw at the bottom of the arm rest well by turning it clockwise with
the 7mm socket and ratcheting wrench. Flip the screw cover closed and push it back in to place. Sit inside the vehicle, close the door, and verify that the door opener handle, door lock stalk, power door lock switch and power window switches all work properly. For more,
check out my other
Jeep Grand Cherokee DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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