Grabbing the entire door panel slide it up and then pull it off but still support it.
Remove door panel 2001 f150.
Once the door panel is off you ll need to remove the door speaker by unbolting it and then unclipping it from the wire harness see figure 4.
You ll also want to remove the factory water shield plastic that runs along the door panel and the trim that runs along the top of the window see figures 5 and 6.
If you look at the actuator you will see it is slid up against a metal plate.
Slide the looooong screwdriver in there and start prying it out.
Remove the door handle by unclipping it from the door panel on the rear side of the panel then slide it through the panel.
Take your time and work it out little by little eventually the tab will snap and the actuator will almost fall off its mounting rail.
With panel screws all removed carefully lift the door panel up and away from the door but only a few inches.