Chrysler Repair: 96 Grand Caravan Back Door Replacement, grand caravan, corner posts

Question
I am in the process of looking for a replacement back door.  First of all, will other years suffice for a replacement?
Secondly, I am likely to find what I need at a You-Pull-It salvage yard.  Any hints on taking off/putting on the door including connections for the brake light, defog, electric lock, etc.?

Answer
Hi Joe,
I don't have parts manuals so I can't tell you exactly about year to year interchangeability. I do have a '95 and a '98 factory shop manual and they look different so you will have to see which one is like your '96 either by asking a dealer's parts departement or check at a body shop which will often have major part manuals broken down by year model. Ask whoever has the info the span of years around the '96 that are identical so you will know what will work at the wrecking yard. Once you find out, let me know and I can type in the steps for removal and installation for the correct year manual that I have. On the other issues there are also instructions on accessing the lights, removing trim panels, etc. which are appropriate for the year in question. I can xerox and postal mail you the pages from the manual that show the details at a cost of 10 cents per copy and postage. So let me know which it is. By the way the proper term is "liftgate". I suspect that there will be plugs that connect the harnesses for the door located at the corner posts of the body, etc. so you can electrically separate the door cleanly by disconnecting plugs.
Roland