2000 liftgate inside panel removal

[buntnik]

Have a sick wiper motor on liftgate. How do I remove the inside panel to get to it? I see a prior thread for this but the answer was not posted, it was eMailed. Please help... Thanks!

 

[JKmotorsports]

Both the upper and lower pieces are held in place by clips. First unclip and remove the upper trim that goes around the glass. Then remove the screw behind the pull strap on the lower trim. Once that screw is removed, start unclipping the lower panel, but don't pull straight out on it. Once unclipped, you'll have to pull the panel upwards. That's it.

 

[buntnik]

This may sound a bit dumb, but when you say "unclip" does that mean pry? So I put something under the panel an pry it out? I do mechanical work, but never felt comfortable dealing with body panels. What would I use to pry the panel? Thanks for your patience...

 

[JKmotorsports]

Sorry... I should have explained about the unclipping. I use a panel removal tool made for this, but you can get in between the trim and body with a flat head screwdriver or something like a putty knife. Pry away from the body and go around the perimeter of the trim. You'll here the clips start to unsnap. When you reinstall the trim pieces, make sure you line up the clips and then just press on the panel to snap them back in place.

 

[FergHoe]

Just grap and pull like hell

 

[buntnik]

Thanks for the assiste with this. Will crack a cold one and give it a try Saturday!