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How To Replace Door Panel 1997-2003 Ford Expedition

Created on: 2011-02-20

Check out this video to learn how to replace the interior door panel trim in your 97-03 Ford Expedition.

  1. step 1 :Remove the door panel
    • Remove the triangle panel by prying up with a screwdriver and cloth.
    • Pry up the switch panels and unplug the wiring harness.
    • Pry up the courtesy light.
    • Unscrew the three screws securing the panel.
    • Remove the door handle latch bezel.
    • Lift the door panel up and off.
    • Unplug the light bulb.
  2. step 2 :Install the door panel
    • Plug the courtesy bulb back in.
    • Reinstall the mirror switch panel and thread through the switch panel wiring harness.
    • Clip on the door panel
    • Screw in the Phillips screws on the door panel.
    • Plug in and clip in the switch panel.
    • Clip on the courtesy light cover and door latch bezel.
    • Clip on the triangle panel at the top.

Tools needed

  • Flat Blade Screwdriver

    Phillips Head Screwdriver

    Cloth Rags

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Hi, I'm Mike Greene. I'm one of the owners of 1A Auto. I want to help you save time and money repairing and maintaining your vehicle. I'm going to use my 20 plus years of experience restoring and repairing cars and trucks like this to show you the correct way to install parts from 1A Auto.com, the right parts installed correctly. That's going to save you time and money. Thank you and enjoy the video.

In this video we'll be showing you how to remove and install a door panel on this 1997 Expedition, same as any '97 to '03 F-150 or '97 to '02 Expedition, front door. Rear door is generally the same. It just has two small screws on the bottom rather than the hidden screws on this. The only tools you'll need are a Phillips screwdriver and a regular screwdriver. To remove the door panel it's fairly simple. You need to remove some panels and a couple of screws. I'm using a rag to protect the paint, make sure I don't scratch and also protect the vinyl.

First, up here, pull out on this little triangle. Then you pull up. We have two pinions on the back and then a pin there. Then, again, with the rag, pry up on your switch panel. Then on the switch panel, you can see all these connectors. They have a little tab here. You push on the tab and then pull. You just have to work them and then the last one. The next thing you actually do want to take this mirror and you have to be careful without the rag and just pry it up nice and easy. It comes out and then again there's a little tab here, and then the last part is right down here on this light. Insert your screw driver if you don't want to use the rag. Put your screwdriver right here and pry the cover off.

Once those panels are off there are two Phillips screws, one here and then one down here in the light, right there. I'm going to remove those. Actually there is a third screw, which wasn't on this vehicle because this vehicle must have been taken apart a few times. There is a third screw in behind the switch panel for the windows and everything. You want to make sure you take that third screw out as well. Now the last thing you need to do is remove this little grommet around the door panel and you can just insert your screwdriver in here, pry it out a little bit and then it comes off and around the handle.

Once that's done, then you just take this whole panel and lift up. The only thing you have to worry about is back in here there's a little light, you just twist and pull it out, and now your door panel is free from the vehicle. Now that we've got the door panel off you can service your speakers, your inside door handles, window, window motor, and check out our other videos for more information on all that. To put the panel back on it's a reversal of the procedure. First I'm going to put the light back in and twist and lock it on. Next, I'm actually going to take my mirror switch and I found it's a lot easier to just reinstall it before you do the rest of it. Make sure you have three connectors coming up through that hole. Lift your door panel up. Pull the handle through.

Now what you want to do is make sure that you get the door panel up through the window. Now you can see the lock right there is coming through. Make sure you push on your door panel so your door panel is nice and flush against the door all the way around. Now you can put in your two Phillips screws. Put on your lens cover. Put on your door handle cover. Push the backend in first. Then just push the top and bottom on. Switch panel, just reconnect everything. You can't connect things in the wrong place because they're all keyed and slotted.

Push that down, make sure that mirror is down again, and then your triangle piece up here, push the pins down first, and then in and you're all set. You can do a quick test, make sure the locks unlock, my light came on. The window goes up and down, mirror works. Everything looks good.
We hope this helps you out, brought to you by www.1AAuto.com. Your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the internet, please feel free to call us toll free 888-844-3393. We're the company that's here for you on the internet and in person.


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