Nissan Frontier Interior
Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door
panels in a 2nd generation 2005 to 2016 Nissan Frontier to upgrade the speakers.
 2016 Frontier Door Panel |
 Door Opener Handle |
 Pry Out Plastic Trim Piece |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the second generation "D40 Series" (2005, 2006, 2007,
2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016) Nissan
Frontier pickup truck 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 Nissan or Infiniti vehicles such as the Navara, Versa, Maxima, Juke, Rogue, Altima, Xterra, Pathfinder, Murano, Cube, Armada, Leaf, Quest, Sentra, Teana, 370Z, GT-R, Titan, G25, G37, M35, QX56, QX60 and M37 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The tools and other items needed to take off the door panels include a small flathead screwdriver, a plastic automotive panel pry bar tool, a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet. The OEM door speakers are held in place by 8mm screws. |
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 Trim Piece Removed |
 Pry Up Arm Rest |
 Release Friction Fasteners |
| The first two steps
are to lower the power window all the way down and open the door. Then use a small flathead screwdriver or a small plastic automotive panel pry bar tool to remove the plastic trim piece located behind the chrome colored door opener handle. Set the trim cover aside in a safe place. Move to the armrest and gently pry it up with the plastic pry bar tool to release the retaining clips. |
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 Armrest Removed |
 Loosen 10mm Bolt |
 10mm Bolt Removed |
| You may need to
re-insert the plastic pry bar tool in several locations around the bottom
edge of the armrest to remove it from the door panel. Set the armrest aside in a safe place. Remove the single silver metal bolt behind the chrome door opener handle by turning it counterclockwise with a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. Set the 10mm bolt aside with the plastic trim piece. |
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 Loosen Armrest Screws |
 10mm Screw Removed |
 Remove 2nd 10mm Screw |
| Remove the two
black metal armrest screws by turning them counterclockwise with the 10mm
socket and 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench.
Set the two black screws aside with the armrest panel. |
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 1 Bolt, 2 Screws, 2 Panels |
 Notch - Bottom Edge |
 Plastic Pry Bar Tool |
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Move to the bottom edge of the door panel and locate the small notch or cutout section. Insert the plastic automotive panel removal tool in between the bottom edge of the door panel and the metal door frame. |
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 Pull Out Plastic Pop Rivets |
 Lift Panel Off Door Frame |
 Tilt Top Edge Away |
| Firmly pull out the
bottom edge of the door panel to release the white plastic pop rivets. Continue pulling out the pop rivet friction fasteners all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel. Lift the plastic door panel up and off the top lip of the metal door frame. Tilt the top edge of the door panel towards yourself and support the bottom edge with your legs. |
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 Press In Release Tab |
 Disconnect Power Plug |
 Door Panel Removed |
| Press in the
release button on the white plastic electrical connector for the switch
panel before sliding the power plug straight out of its socket. Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place. |
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 Metal Door Frame |
 8mm Speaker Screws |
 Hold Panel Near Frame |
| The OEM door
speaker is held in place by four 8mm
screws.
Remove the screws by turning them counterclockwise with an 8mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. I recommend buying new speakers from Amazon since you can verify which speaker sizes will fit your vehicle and whether or not they will require an adapter mounting bracket. To help reduce road noise and allow your new speakers to sound their best, apply some Dynamat Sound Deadener material to the metal door frame. It will stop vibrations and rattles when you crank up the volume. |
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 Push In Electrical Connector |
 Lower Panel On Frame |
 Push Down In Place |
| To replace the door
panel, hold it near the door frame and tilt the top edge towards yourself. Push the white plastic electrical connector for the switch panel back in to its socket until you feel or hear it "click". Lower the door panel down on to the top edge of the metal door frame. |
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 Line Up White Pop Rivets |
 Firmly Tap In Fasteners |
 Re-Insert Armrest Screws |
| Line up the white
plastic pop rivets on the back of the door panel with their corresponding
holes in the metal door frame. Firmly tap in the pop rivet friction fasteners all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel. |
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 Tighten 10mm Clockwise |
 Tighten 2nd Armrest Screw |
 Re-Insert 10mm Bolt |
| Re-insert the two
black metal screws in to the armrest area and tighten them in the clockwise
direction with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. Re-insert the silver metal bolt behind the door opener handle. |
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 Tighten 10mm Clockwise |
 Re-Insert Trim Piece |
 Pop In Plastic Panel |
| Tighten the door
opener handle bolt in the clockwise direction with the 10mm socket and 1/4"
drive ratcheting wrench to just past hand tight. Push the plastic trim piece back in to place over the 10mm bolt and behind the door opener handle. |
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 Line Up Armrest Panel |
 Push To Secure Clips |
 Door Panel Replaced |
| Line up the plastic
retaining clips on the bottom of the armrest and firmly push it down in to
place. Sit inside the truck, close the passenger door and verify that the door opener handle, power window switch, door lock rocker switch and power door lock switch all still work properly. For more,
check out my other
Nissan Frontier DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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