I have a couple of additions to the below directions...
First, there is the little problem of the window regulator (for the power window) which is in the way. Before starting. lower the window about an inch. This will remove the tension on the regulator and allow you to remove it. I found that I didn't have to totally take it out. I just took off the 4 nuts that hold it on, released the plastic clips holding the cabling, and slid the regulator assembly out of the way -- to the left to get the right bolt holding on the license plate frame, then to the right to get the left one.
Next is the issue of removing the license plate frame. I found that the plastic clips didn't pop out like the ones on the trim, and I busted two of them by yanking on it. Oh well. The answer is to use some pliers to squeeze them from inside the hatch, and push them out. This way there is no chance of breaking them. Also, if you don't take this approach then I don't know how you'd reattach the frame.
Total time was about 2 hours, but I could do it in less if I had to do it again.
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I followed these instructions and it worked. I had to remove a couple more plastic locking clips and a nut for the lock, but it was nearly exact beyond that.
I started taking it apart Sunday afternoon and picked up the handle yesterday from a local Toyota dealer, he charged me $63 at the counter. (This seems to be a common enough problem that when I researched the part online I found a lot of private vendors that sold it for less than $20.00. I bought my off eBay for $15)
First, take off the license plate.
Since the hatch wouldn't open, I started from the inside and took down the top trim piece. After that the two side pieces come down, then the main trim piece which covers the bulk of the door comes out. These are all popped in with the white tabs.
There are 3 access hole covers to pop out (don't forget to install them back in when done) and through the left hole you can see the mechanism to unlatch, press it down with a screwdriver and open the door. If anytime you close the door you will have to do this to unlatch, up until you disconnect the cable and pull out the handle, then you have to locate the cable and pull that directly.
Behind the large trim piece you will find a metal access cover, remove the 7 or 8 10mm bolts holding that on and pop the 3 white tabs and let it hang off to the side. Disconnect the cable from the handle assembly by reaching in from the right hand side and popping of the cable from the handle assembly.
From the left and right access holes, locate the two 10mm nuts which hold the license plate assembly to the door and remove them. Then there are 4 plastic tabs that come in from the outside that hold the license plate assembly on in each corner, try and locate those and using some pliers squeeze them together and push it through. Next locate the license plate lamps wire connector and release that from the left side, it's the simple push in and pull out square white connector.
After these are out, put back in 1 or 2 bolts into the large metal access cover so the hatch can be lowered (don't close it).
Here is where I had fun, begin to pop out the assembly that it was bolted to. I ended up breaking 3 of the 4 plastic tabs in each corner because I did not use pliers from the other side to pull them out, however it remained somewhat useable (hindsight 20/20).
Now the license plate assembly can be taken to a bench to replace the handle assembly (Toyota doesn't sell just the handle, it is a small assembly). Two screws out and the assembly is replaced.
Before pressing the license plate assembly back onto the truck, make certain all the plastic tabs are in the assembly and not in the truck. Reverse the process to re-install.
I followed these instructions and it worked. I had to remove a couple more plastic locking clips and a nut for the lock, but it was nearly exact beyond that.
I started taking it apart Sunday afternoon and picked up the handle yesterday from a local Toyota dealer, he charged me $63 at the counter.
First, take off the license plate.
Since the hatch wouldn't open, I started from the inside and took down the top trim piece. After that the two side pieces come down, then the main trim piece which covers the bulk of the door comes out. These are all popped in with the white tabs.
There are 3 access hole covers to pop out (don't forget to install them back in when done) and through the left hole you can see the mechanism to unlatch, press it down with a screwdriver and open the door. If anytime you close the door you will have to do this to unlatch, up until you disconnect the cable and pull out the handle, then you have to locate the cable and pull that directly.
Behind the large trim piece you will find a metal access cover, remove the 7 or 8 10mm bolts holding that on and pop the 3 white tabs and let it hang off to the side. Disconnect the cable from the handle assembly by reaching in from the right hand side and popping of the cable from the handle assembly.
From the left and right access holes, locate the two 10mm nuts which hold the license plate assembly to the door and remove them. Then there are 4 plastic tabs that come in from the outside that hold the license plate assembly on in each corner, try and locate those and using some pliers squeeze them together and push it through. Next locate the license plate lamps wire connector and release that from the left side, it's the simple push in and pull out square white connector.
After these are out, put back in 1 or 2 bolts into the large metal access cover so the hatch can be lowered (don't close it).
Here is where I had fun, begin to pop out the assembly that it was bolted to. I ended up breaking 3 of the 4 plastic tabs in each corner because I did not use pliers from the other side to pull them out, however it remained somewhat useable (hindsight 20/20).
Now the license plate assembly can be taken to a bench to replace the handle assembly (Toyota doesn't sell just the handle, it is a small assembly). Two screws out and the assembly is replaced.
Before pressing the license plate assembly back onto the truck, make certain all the plastic tabs are in the assembly and not in the truck. Reverse the process to re-install.
*** Just a note. You can order a METAL handle for $48 from 1AAUTO.COM. My son and I installed it in 45 minutes following these directions!! We ALSO got the back window working (which hadn't worked for the three years previously) by whacking the window motor to loosen the brushes, regreasing everything and then putting everything back together. I am not a mechanic or big DIYer, but I am a cheap Norwegian from WI who didn't want to pay the $700 estimate from the dealer for repairs. Total cost $48 and one hour time and had a great time with my son!!!
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