Pickup bed top trim removal

[PVguy]

I need to get a little PDR work done on upper portion of right rear quarter panel (fender) and the technician would like to access through an opening under the top trim, if possible. Has anyone removed this trimand, if so, do you have any photos and description? I am attaching a photo of the trim piece involved.
Thanks., Tom

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[Nuclianba]

I've removed it. Accidentally. It's not bolted down in any way, it's just clips. Lift on it enough and it pops off. Here's the kicker though... Rivian designed this piece as one time use, for reasons beyond me. So when you pull it off, the clips don't really work anymore. The teeth on the break off or they pull off the part and bend some. You can make it work and reattach clips and reseat things but it takes some work to modify the clips a bit to bite on the trim piece before pushing it back in place. Dumb design honestly.

Before you pop it, would recommend searching YouTube for teardowns to see what things look like, just to make sure you'll have the access you expect when it's off. Will be super annoying to pull it off only to find there isn't the access your PDR guy needs.

 

[PVguy]

I've removed it. Accidentally. It's not bolted down in any way, it's just clips. Lift on it enough and it pops off. Here's the kicker though... Rivian designed this piece as one time use, for reasons beyond me. So when you pull it off, the clips don't really work anymore. The teeth on the break off or they pull off the part and bend some. You can make it work and reattach clips and reseat things but it takes some work to modify the clips a bit to bite on the trim piece before pushing it back in place. Dumb design honestly.

Before you pop it, would recommend searching YouTube for teardowns to see what things look like, just to make sure you'll have the access you expect when it's off. Will be super annoying to pull it off only to find there isn't the access your PDR guy needs.

Thank you Nuclianba. I appreciate it. Do you happen to have any photos of this area with the trim removed? It looks like the tailgate trim will need to be removed also for a small dent there so I reckon that they both have a similar fastening system. I did do some searching on this and did not find much except that there are a number of these trim pieces listed on eBay so that coincides with your saying that this is designed as a one-time use component. I will keep searching….

 

[Riviot]

Thank you Nuclianba. I appreciate it. Do you happen to have any photos of this area with the trim removed? It looks like the tailgate trim will need to be removed also for a small dent there so I reckon that they both have a similar fastening system. I did do some searching on this and did not find much except that there are a number of these trim pieces listed on eBay so that coincides with your saying that this is designed as a one-time use component. I will keep searching….

Best I could do

CAUTION:
Potentially non-reusable fastener(s).

 

[Dark-Fx]

The clip and the plastic they attach to. Pulling these clips tends to cause the clip to bite the plastic off that they attach to, so reattaching afterwards is nearly impossible without being well versed in plastic repair.

You don't gain access to anything by pulling these panels off that would be helpful for PDR.

You'd be much better off removing the side panel of the inside of the bed.

 

[PVguy]

The clip and the plastic they attach to. Pulling these clips tends to cause the clip to bite the plastic off that they attach to, so reattaching afterwards is nearly impossible without being well versed in plastic repair.

You don't gain access to anything by pulling these panels off that would be helpful for PDR.

You'd be much better off removing the side panel of the inside of the bed.

Excellent. Thank you for these repiles. I think that the holes under the trim are sufficiently large enough for my PDR guy to get in there and do his thing. Yesterday, he showed me that he could probably work on a dent (yeah, I have a few of them) through a hole that is about 3/8” diameter. I forwarded your responses to him will see what he says. Maybe a good idea to purchase a trim piece on eBay ahead of time? Thanks again.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Would be nice if there was a spec sheet/catalog of the various non-proprietary plastic fasteners so owners can find and buy replacements on their own. When I took the frunk apart to add a second horn, I had to break a few. Replaced them with closest match I had on-hand from an assortment kit I got from Amazon. Works, but not factory matching.

 

[PVguy]

Would be nice if there was a spec sheet/catalog of the various non-proprietary plastic fasteners so owners can find and buy replacements on their own. When I took the frunk apart to add a second horn, I had to break a few. Replaced them with closest match I had on-hand from an assortment kit I got from Amazon. Works, but not factory matching.

Yes, I have gone searching for parts similar to this and it can be hit-or-miss.

 

[PVguy]

Excellent. Thank you for these repiles. I think that the holes under the trim are sufficiently large enough for my PDR guy to get in there and do his thing. Yesterday, he showed me that he could probably work on a dent (yeah, I have a few of them) through a hole that is about 3/8” diameter. I forwarded your responses to him will see what he says. Maybe a good idea to purchase a trim piece on eBay ahead of time? Thanks again.

I have removed the upper trims from sides and tailgate. All of the “red” clips and a few others broke but many are still intact. As you stated, it is difficult for me to see how the red clips can readily be re-attached to the trim. So I got to thinking….danger. How about using any existing usable/functional clips and in areas of broken clips (or perhaps the entire perimeter) fasten the trim down with 3M Super Weatherstrip Adhesive? Weight the trim down while it cures and to remove trim, slide a plastic putty knife under it.

 

[staples]

That's how they install the newer tailgate trim with 3M tape. There's probably no reason you couldn't do that with the other trim pieces.

See

 

[PVguy]

That's how they install the newer tailgate trim with 3M tape. There's probably no reason you couldn't do that with the other trim pieces.

See

I just got done re-installing the three upper trims. All of the “red” clips pulled off of the trim piece but I cut off most of the remaining plastic “boss” on the trim piece, leaving only a little stub on each end for alignment. Kinda tedious and may have been easier to remove the teeth from the clip. Glued the clips back on with JB Weld clear. Seems to be ok. I have two extra each of pictured clips. These took about a month to get from Rivian. If someone can use them, I would be glad to mail them.

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