So I'm getting ready to paint and I REALLY want to take the door handles out so I don't have to tape up around all the door seals and such. I got the front driver side out after yanking and pulling and cussing for about 30 mins. I went to do the rear driver side door and stopped dead in my tracks. I know there are suppose to be 2 bolts to hold in the handle but i can only see one. Where is the other bolt? Do i have to take the door striker out to access the bolt?

Im also lost for how all the do-dads come out of the rear hatch (i.e. wiper rest, wiper stud, license place holder, rear sprayer). It looks like there is a brace in the way of a lot and when i went to take the license place holder out i can't reach some of the clips. Anyone have any tips on how to get those out without breaking anything?? anything would be much appreciated!

I've only taken apart the rear hatch once and I also had to break stuff. Couldn't figure it out.

Remove the plastic cover to access the 10 mm bolt that holds the outside door handle. You will see a small about a quarter sized sticker covering another bold

My front door had the sticker that covers the hole but my rear door doesn't have one. Just took it apart for the second time and still can't see anything other than going thro the door lock

If you're talking about the plate bezel/handle assembly on the hatch, lower the rear window an inch and then unbolt the 4 bolts holding the window regulator in place- now you can move the whole thing out of the way and access your fasteners.

What about the rear doors? Any experience with getting those handles out?

We take em out for paint jobs. If I recall, you have that little swivel plastic clip that needs to be rotated off the rod, and then just get the bolts out. It's easy once you figure it out, don't give up. It'll never look right if you don't remove em before spraying. That goes for rear hatch surround, antenna, etc.

Try this

I'm trying to figure out where the 2nd bolt is on the rear doors. I know how to get the handles out I just can't seem to find the second bolt. And I'm sure it's behind the latch on the door. Is there an access hole somewhere I just over looked or do I have to more the latch to get to the bolt

IIRC, the second bolt is hidden by a sticker behind the moisture barrier.

I can't help you on the other items, but the wiper stud you're referring to is the actual wiper motor exiting the rear lift gate. The stud goes through a rubber grommet. I can assure you, wiper motors are NOT fun to replace. It's attached with three shock-mounted bolts. Here'a pic.

EDIT: If you remove your interior panel from your lift gate, you may be able to see how the spray nozzle and wiper rest are attached. I think there's just one bolt where the strap is and the rest are the white push in style interior molding fasteners. Once disconnected, it slides UP away from the window track.

Attached Images

 

Pics of rear door handle removal: from a write-up for repairing the door lock module so scroll to find what parts you need....
habanero's 1996 4Runner Build-Up Thread - Page 74 - YotaTech Forums

Which includes how to access the bolts....
and more!