So let me start out by saying this isn't for someone who's scared of ripping apart your interior and putting it back together. Let me also state that this isn't a quick half-day job. It took me roughly 2-4 hrs to take apart the interior and butane remove the pieces that are melted together (yes, you'll need to take a butane torch to your dash if you want to wrap it the right way. In short, my Tahoe interior is literally in pieces all over my garage with a ton of screws everywhere inside the interior.
Certain parts of this removal process requires you to use some tough-love (muscle) to disassemble the vehicle. I only needed a few tools, but some aren't common household tools so I provided a list below with hyperlinks if you need to purchase these items:
- Standard Socket set (1/4th)
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Security Torx (Star) Screw set (T15/T20)
- Auto Trim Upholstery Removal set
- Mini-Pencil Butane Torch
Of note, I didn't take pics of every single step. As a matter of fact, I didn't take any pics of the dash disassembly because it's too complicated to be honest. Some of this stuff below is common sense, so if you lack that, don't try this at home. Take it to a custom shop and let them disassemble your vehicle.....again, this isn't for someone who is afraid to tear apart your car.
Step 1:
Remove the screws from the door. You have (1) screw behind the door handle (hidden behind a cosmetic plastic cover), (2) screws under the arm rest (hidden behind a cosmetic plastic cover), and (2) screws (exposed) on the bottom of the door.
Once you remove the screws, use the auto trim kit to pry away the door panel from the door. Typically once you get a bottom corner up, you can use your hands to pull away the door but realize you may break some of the plastic tabs off (they are cheap, you can buy new ones so don't sweat it). Once you get the sides/bottom of the door pulled away from the panel you're gonna have to tackle the top. What I found that works best is to start at the front of the door and lift/wiggle until it comes up then start working towards the back of the door by the locking mechanism. You're gonna need to use some muscle here, so don't be scared.....the entire door comes off in one piece (including the felt glass protector so be careful as that is connected).
Of note, I always had a damn clip get stuck in the door (same spot both sides). They are easy to remove and reinstall, but worth pointing out for reassembly.
Step 2:
Disconnect door handle wire and electric window plugs (and plastic plug holding the harness to the door). Pretty self-explanatory on this (assuming you've disconnected an automotive switch before). Push the plastic clip down, pull harness/wire away....pretty simple, don't nuke it. No pics btw (I only have one hand to hold the door and remove the harnesses).
Step 3:
Remove the wood trim. Pretty easy once I figured it out. First you have to tear away the white insulation for the door panel. There are 2-4 glued tabs that you'll have to rip away to gain access. Don't fret, you can use some hot glue, gorilla glue or something later to stick it back to the door if you concerned (I'm not). There are 4 screws (I repeat), there are 4 screws and only 4 screws to remove.
There are 4 silver screws (I repeat), there are 4 screws and only 4 screws to remove (the screws are only touching the black panel, don't remove the two screws in that white piece of plastic you see). Two screws are by the backside of the door panel and two towards the front side (where the front of the wood trim panel ends below the window module).
Unfortunately those 4 screws aren't the only thing holding the trim piece on there. There are also 4 push tabs (find where the tension is and pry gently put firm enough for them to pop free).
Here is how they match up for reference on where to pry for the push tabs.
Certain parts of this removal process requires you to use some tough-love (muscle) to disassemble the vehicle. I only needed a few tools, but some aren't common household tools so I provided a list below with hyperlinks if you need to purchase these items:
- Standard Socket set (1/4th)
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Security Torx (Star) Screw set (T15/T20)
- Auto Trim Upholstery Removal set
- Mini-Pencil Butane Torch
Of note, I didn't take pics of every single step. As a matter of fact, I didn't take any pics of the dash disassembly because it's too complicated to be honest. Some of this stuff below is common sense, so if you lack that, don't try this at home. Take it to a custom shop and let them disassemble your vehicle.....again, this isn't for someone who is afraid to tear apart your car.
Step 1:
Remove the screws from the door. You have (1) screw behind the door handle (hidden behind a cosmetic plastic cover), (2) screws under the arm rest (hidden behind a cosmetic plastic cover), and (2) screws (exposed) on the bottom of the door.
Once you remove the screws, use the auto trim kit to pry away the door panel from the door. Typically once you get a bottom corner up, you can use your hands to pull away the door but realize you may break some of the plastic tabs off (they are cheap, you can buy new ones so don't sweat it). Once you get the sides/bottom of the door pulled away from the panel you're gonna have to tackle the top. What I found that works best is to start at the front of the door and lift/wiggle until it comes up then start working towards the back of the door by the locking mechanism. You're gonna need to use some muscle here, so don't be scared.....the entire door comes off in one piece (including the felt glass protector so be careful as that is connected).
Of note, I always had a damn clip get stuck in the door (same spot both sides). They are easy to remove and reinstall, but worth pointing out for reassembly.
Step 2:
Disconnect door handle wire and electric window plugs (and plastic plug holding the harness to the door). Pretty self-explanatory on this (assuming you've disconnected an automotive switch before). Push the plastic clip down, pull harness/wire away....pretty simple, don't nuke it. No pics btw (I only have one hand to hold the door and remove the harnesses).
Step 3:
Remove the wood trim. Pretty easy once I figured it out. First you have to tear away the white insulation for the door panel. There are 2-4 glued tabs that you'll have to rip away to gain access. Don't fret, you can use some hot glue, gorilla glue or something later to stick it back to the door if you concerned (I'm not). There are 4 screws (I repeat), there are 4 screws and only 4 screws to remove.
There are 4 silver screws (I repeat), there are 4 screws and only 4 screws to remove (the screws are only touching the black panel, don't remove the two screws in that white piece of plastic you see). Two screws are by the backside of the door panel and two towards the front side (where the front of the wood trim panel ends below the window module).
Unfortunately those 4 screws aren't the only thing holding the trim piece on there. There are also 4 push tabs (find where the tension is and pry gently put firm enough for them to pop free).
Here is how they match up for reference on where to pry for the push tabs.
