DDLexus

I am curious is anyone has the instructions for removal of the side skirt body panel for the LS430? I am interested in removing the driver's side door panel at the bottom.

Where are the screws? How many? Is there tape that holds it tight? If I remove, will it go back together and look like new? Helpful hints?

Thanks.

beangrower

door cap? door panel? i believe its called one of those. not sure but i would like to know this as well. in case i do go full body kit.

Kansas

My 2000 LS400 has two screws at the back and front of the door that can be seen when the door is open. The body section of my 2000 LS400 repair manual says to remove the screws and then pry off the lower cladding with a molding removal tool while cutting the adhesive with a knife. A drawing in the manual shows where the double sided adhesive tape is positioned.

The reinstallation instructions show heating the car body up to 104-140 degrees F. with a heat lamp and the body molding (I call it cladding) to a lesser temperature. Using new adhesive tape is not mentioned but I assume that this would be required if you had to cut it away to remove the molding.

Of course, the procedure could be different for an LS430. You would definitely want to know the exact procedure to follow for your car.

FYI, I removed the front fender molding (behind each front wheel) from my first LS back in the early 90's and I never could get it to fit exactly flush when I reinstalled it -- it probably would have fit better if I had used new plastic pop rivets per the instructions.