It was a piece of cake... once we decided to just go in a pull out the old handle. there is a rivet on top and bottom of the lock and handle - I thought it would snap, but it is a soft plastic and the rivet pulled through. then all you have to do is get some vice grips and pull the cable and the door opens. we have to get the replacement cable, maybe junkyard it to get a better idea of how to do it without destroying his door.
so pull off that cover plate - you dont have to worry about ripping out the door panel - once the plate is off you'll probably see the severed cable - then just like above, remove the lock switch and handle and you can get to the cable to pull & open the door. my friend just went to the autozone and grabbed a small vicegrip to attach to the cable until we can replace it.
that should do ya.
good luck!
