Dodge Durango
Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door
panels in a 3rd generation 2011 to 2015 Durango to upgrade the OEM speakers.
By Paul B. Michaels Author & Photographer Auto Mechanic Since 1989 |
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![]() 2014 Durango Interior Door Panel |
![]() Door Opener Handle |
![]() Pry Out Plastic Trim Piece |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the third generation (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & also
2016 in Canada) Dodge Durango 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 such as the Town & Country, 300, 200, Avenger, Charger, Journey, Dart, Challenger, Grand Caravan, and Ram C/V Tradesman minivan may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The tools needed to complete this procedure include a small flathead screwdriver, a 10mm socket, a 7mm socket, a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench and a large flathead screwdriver or a plastic automotive panel removal tool. To remove the OEM door speakers, you'll need a Torx T-20 star bit screwdriver. The power window motor is held in place by Torx T-25 screws. |
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![]() Plastic Panel Removed |
![]() Arm Rest Screw Cover |
![]() Pry Out Plastic Screw Cover |
The first two steps
are to lower the power window all the way down and open the passenger door. Use the small flathead screwdriver to pry out the plastic trim piece located behind the chrome colored door opener handle. Set the plastic trim piece aside in a safe place. Then pry open the rectangular plastic screw cover in the well at the center of the arm rest with the small flathead screwdriver. |
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![]() Remove 10mm Bolt |
![]() Pull Out 10mm Bolt |
![]() Remove Phillips Head Screw |
Remove the bolt
behind the door opener handle by turning it counterclockwise with the 10mm
socket and 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. If you have trouble removing the bolt after it has been loosened all the way, use a pair of needle nose pliers to pull it out. Remove the Phillips head screw behind the door opener handle by turning it counterclockwise. Set the bolt and screw aside in a safe place. |
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![]() Phillips Head Screw |
![]() Remove 7mm Arm Rest Screw |
![]() Pull Out 7mm Screw |
Then move to the
door pull handle in the center of the arm rest. Remove the screw at the bottom of the well by turning it counterclockwise with a 7mm socket and 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. |
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![]() Pry Up Switch Panel |
![]() Switch Panel Removed |
![]() Press Release Tab |
Gently pry up the
front edge of the switch panel with a flathead screwdriver or plastic
automotive pry bar tool. Pull out the switch panel from the armrest. Press in the release tab on the green plastic electrical connector before sliding the plug straight out of its socket. |
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![]() Power Plug Disconnected |
![]() Pull Out Bottom Edge Panel |
![]() Pop Rivets Removed |
Set the switch
panel aside in a safe place. Insert a large flathead screwdriver or the automotive panel pry bar tool in between the bottom edge of the door panel and the metal door frame. Firmly pull out the plastic pop rivet friction fasteners along the bottom edge of the door panel. Continue pulling out the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel. |
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![]() Disengage All Fasteners |
![]() Lift Panel Off Door Frame |
![]() Press Release Tab |
Lift the plastic
door panel up and off the metal door frame. Tilt the top edge of the door panel towards yourself and support the bottom with your legs. Press in the release tab on the white plastic electrical connector before sliding the plug straight out of its socket. |
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![]() Disconnect Power Plug |
![]() Pull Off Door Handle Assembly |
![]() Door Handle Removed |
Gently pull off the door opener handle and cable assembly from the back of the panel. | ||
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![]() Door Handle Mount |
![]() Plastic Door Panel Removed |
![]() Metal Door Frame |
Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place. | ||
![]() Speaker - Torx T20 Screws |
![]() Power Window Motor - T25 |
![]() Hold Panel Near Frame |
To take off the OEM
door speaker, remove the four screws with a
Torx T-20 star bit screwdriver
by turning them counterclockwise. If you need to replace the power window motor, it is held in place with Torx T25 screws. The OEM door speakers can be replaced with aftermarket speakers in the following sizes: 6" x 9", 7", 6 1/2" (6.5 inch), 6 3/4 (6.75") and 5 1/4" (5.25"). If you'd like to reduce road noise and make your new speakers sound better, apply some Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame. To replace the door panel, hold it near the door frame and support the bottom with your legs. |
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![]() Re-Insert Door Handle Assembly |
![]() Push In Power Plug |
![]() Pull Out Green Power Plug |
Gently push the
door handle and cable assembly back in to place on the back side of the
panel. Push the white plastic power plug back in to its socket. Pass the green plastic electrical connector for the switch panel through the opening in the arm rest. |
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![]() Re-Insert Door Lock Stalk |
![]() Line Up White Pop Rivets |
![]() Firmly Tap In Pop Rivets |
Carefully lower the
top of the door panel on to the upper lip of the door frame. Re-insert the door lock stalk through the opening at the top outer edge of the door panel. Line up the white plastic pop rivet friction fasteners on the back of the door panel with their corresponding holes. Firmly tap in the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel. |
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![]() Tighten Phillips Head Screw |
![]() Re-Insert 10mm Bolt |
![]() Tighten Clockwise |
Re-insert the
Phillips head screw behind the door opener handle and tighten it in the
clockwise direction. Tighten the 10mm bolt behind the door opener handle by turning it clockwise with the socket and ratcheting wrench. |
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![]() Re-Insert Black 7mm Screw |
![]() Tighten 7mm Clockwise |
![]() Close Plastic Cover |
Re-insert the 7mm
screw at the bottom of the well in the arm rest by turning it clockwise with
the socket and ratcheting wrench. Pop in the plastic screw cover. |
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![]() Pop In Plastic Trim Piece |
![]() Plug In Switch Panel |
![]() Re-Insert Switch Panel |
Snap in the plastic
trim piece behind the door opener handle. Push the green plastic power plug for the switch panel in to its socket. Gently push the switch panel down in to place on the arm rest. Sit inside the vehicle, close the door and verify that the door opener handle, power window switch and power door lock switch all still work properly. For more,
check out my other
Dodge Durango DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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