Driver window replacement help/question

[Carpejugulum]

Planning to replace my front driver side window, this will be the first time I've removed the door panel on my 2004 gen4. However I have removed door panels and replaced windows on other cars.

I've found video for removing the door panel, which looks like an easy task. What I haven't been able to find is a video example of the most basic window replacement option. I have found more complex videos for replacing the window motors, where I could also replace the window glass. The existing glass is intact, but the laminate is detaching.


Q: Are there access points in the door where I can unscrew the window without removing the moisture barrier? Looking for the easiest quickest method.


All help and advice appreciated.

 

[Carpejugulum]

Answering my own question, it is necessary to open the moisture barrier to access the bolts securing the driver window.

Used this video for removing the door panel. How to Replace Window Regulator 02-09 Toyota 4Runner - YouTube

I unscrewed the interior door handle rather than detach the lock actuator cables as shown in the video. There’s a single screw securing the interior door handle to the backside of the door panel slightly below where the two actuator cables feed into the interior door handle. (Interior door handle is visible with the lock cables still attached in my pictures)

Initially tried to pop the lock cables out of the door handle assembly as shown in the video, but wasn’t comfortable with the amount of force I was unsuccessfully applying on the cables without them detaching. Was a little tricky maneuvering the door panel to get an access angle to that backside panel screw holding the door handle—there’s not a lot of freedom to move the door panel while the lock cables are attached. Decided unscrewing the handle was a safer option vs potentially damaging the cables or door handle assembly frame they attach to.


Temporarily detached the bottom section of the moisture barrier and removed the lower door speaker to access the bolts securing the window.

 

[Carpejugulum]

I’d like to add I’m extremely impressed with how well the door moisture barrier has withstood the test of time.

I bought this 4Runner brand new in 2004, has largely been a daily driver since then. Pretty sure this is the first time the driver door panel has been opened up, so the moisture barrier should still be the original factory install.

Live in Arizona, with ninety or more 100F+ days per year. The car is garaged overnight and usually gets shaded parking at work. Even with that the heat tends to take a toll on materials over time. All the moisture barrier plastic film was in great shape and the gunk sealant still held solid after detaching and reattaching the barrier film almost 20 years after it was first built.