Hi there,
Not sure if I understand your question correctly, but for an 89 or 90, you
need to do this:
--remove four screws holding the grab handle (for closing the door), and
remove the handle (screws are under plastic caps)
--Remove two screws holding the vent on the lower rear corner of the door,
remove that vent
--Pull the lever that opens the door, and you'll see a small hole at one end
of the black plastic finger guard.  Insert a small screwdriver, and gently
pry out the finger guard.  Behind the finger guard, remove a small phillips
screw and the black plastic housing around the lever.
--Using something that doesn't scratch, start popping the plastic snaps
around the edge of the door panel.  Try to get your prying tool all the way
to the base of the snap before prying it out, this will help minimize
breakage and tearout.  The snaps are attached to the panel, and pop into a
hole in the door.
--If you have power windows and/or mirrors, start at the top of the panel.
When you have about 50% of the snaps loose, gently pull the panel back a
little and unplug the controls for the windows/locks, then finish removing
the panel.  You will also need to unplug the wires to your speaker at some
point.

HTH,
bmc  :)
"Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...."

> From: s w <smorewhisky@YAHOO.COM>
> Reply-To: s w <smorewhisky@YAHOO.COM>
> Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 11:16:22 -0800
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: front door panel removal?
>
> i can't find anything in the bently or list archives
> on removing the finger guards (?) from the door so as
> to remove the door panel, got that far, and then could
> not figure out a way short of tearing them off with
> force, or removing the entire lock from the door, do
> these just pop off? or do i need to take the lock
> mechanism off, the bently shows a picture of the door
> minus the front panel, but it shows the door lever
> mechanism still on the door? this has confused me...
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Find the one for you at Yahoo! Personals
> http://personals.yahoo.com
>