Exterior Trim Removal

[rpaterson]

Right folks, first question. No piccies to illustrate, will need to look into posting pictures.

Our new RAV has had a towbar fitted and the electrics disappear inside the car where the rear quarter trim thing is on the back left of the bumper. I can get limited access to the wiring by removing the cubby hole cover in the side panel but I'd like to get proper access to the wiring.

So how do I remove this piece of trim? I've removed the two 10mm bolts that are accessible when the boot is open, the screw at the 'bottom' of the trim and the last two screws from inside the wheelarch. There's obviously something else holding it on, either more fasteners or some clips. I can see two fastenings inside the wheelarch that are round on the outside and if I feel behind them I can feel that the other side is square, but these don't seem to lever / pull out. Being plastic, I'm reluctant to just pull the panel away as I'll probably snap something.

I suppose there are other options;

Remove a trim panel from inside and get better access to the multitude of Scotchloks that are no doubt present,

Keep the wiring in place and just tuck it up out of the way inside the bumper panel.

Anyone done this before?

[GT4 BOOSTER]

you may have the specialized wiring loom fitted ( like firewire ) so go easy on it.

[Fujisan]

What exactly is the aim of this job? Is it to remove the towbar and the wiring?

Might give the top techie's we have on here, a pointer with which to help you.

[anchorman]

Right folks, first question. No piccies to illustrate, will need to look into posting pictures.

Our new RAV has had a towbar fitted and the electrics disappear inside the car where the rear quarter trim thing is on the back left of the bumper. I can get limited access to the wiring by removing the cubby hole cover in the side panel but I'd like to get proper access to the wiring.

So how do I remove this piece of trim? I've removed the two 10mm bolts that are accessible when the boot is open, the screw at the 'bottom' of the trim and the last two screws from inside the wheelarch. There's obviously something else holding it on, either more fasteners or some clips. I can see two fastenings inside the wheelarch that are round on the outside and if I feel behind them I can feel that the other side is square, but these don't seem to lever / pull out. Being plastic, I'm reluctant to just pull the panel away as I'll probably snap something.

I suppose there are other options;

Remove a trim panel from inside and get better access to the multitude of Scotchloks that are no doubt present,

Keep the wiring in place and just tuck it up out of the way inside the bumper panel.

Anyone done this before?

Yes as it happens.

I will be doing some pictorials this weekend including the removal of those quarter panels;

In order to fit additional boot lighting (because the one on the door is a joke)

And how to fit a photochromic mirror (sneak preview here)

And the 90 degree rear check strap.

Between then and now you will have to wait as I have to play trains between burning the midnight oil on this forum!

Sit tight!!!

[rpaterson]

@GT4 - very much doubt that it's a specialist loom as I can feel Scotchloks (mm, lovely)

@anchorman - i'll probably have a mess about this weekend as well, weather permitting.

@ Fujisan - I'm wanting to remove the big sturdy Witter towbar and the associated wiring to the left rear cluster.

[sywy]

Anchorman. Nice one, with the additional light.

The one in the door is really pish poor!!

I look forward to your tutorial.

[anchorman]

@GT4 - very much doubt that it's a specialist loom as I can feel Scotchloks (mm, lovely)

@anchorman - i'll probably have a mess about this weekend as well, weather permitting.

@ Fujisan - I'm wanting to remove the big sturdy Witter towbar and the associated wiring to the left rear cluster.

In the meantime you can see the trim removal and fitting of the loom in these fitting instructions.

Kingo will no doubt give you a price but there are members that have found kits elsewhere. As you know I prefer the genuine ones from Kingo.

They allow you to plug the looms in without splicing.

12N;

http://techdoc.toyota-europe.com/aimupload...000%20386-1.pdf

12S

http://techdoc.toyota-europe.com/aimupload...000%20387-1.pdf

Regards

[rpaterson]

Oh my god, what a nightmare. I've seen some botched jobs in my time (if I'm honest - I've been responsible for a couple), but this beggared belief.

In no particular order;

The cubby hole in the left quarter panel in the boot was all chewed where the installer had tried to lever it out. They obviously didn't realise that it was also screwed in from behind at two positions.

They then decided to remove the entire trim panel as per anchorman's pics. Except they managed to break a couple of the clips and leave the seatbelt looking as if it had been part of a maypole dancing competition.

To splice the right indicator and foglight into the towbar electrics, they used two-core domestic cable and ran it under the boot trim.

I think they must have bought shares in the company that makes Scotchloks as they were used liberally for the install.

In the end I managed to get everything done by working through the big rectangular access panel on the left and right and also the smaller access panel down the bootom on the left. Didn't even cut myself, jobs like these are usually good for skinning at least three knuckles.

I could probably wallpaper my hall through my letterbox now, I know what a gynocologist feels like.

I'm actually going to email the guy I bought it from to tell him not to get the same guys to install a towbar on any of his other cars.