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  #1  
Old 06-18-2010, 03:47 PM
wangbungal wangbungal is offline
Ford Ranger 1997 3.0 V6
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 239
Default How to: Replace exterior door handle

Only do this if your handle is floppy and there is a lot of play on it, its kinda fiddly,but very easy, and a safety reminder wear safety glasses when drilling.


Tools/Materials you need


* Standard drill and Drill bit
* Pliers
* Screw Driver
* Torx screw driver T15
* 10 mm socket and Ratchet
* Brand new Door Handles
* small nut and bolt and couple of washers



1. Start out by removing three screws on the door panel



2. Remove Plastic sheet cover



3. Remove the bolt for the window track to make your life easier. Use 10 mm socket




4. Start drilling the two rivets thats holding the two exterior door handle






5. Once your finished, look inside the door you would see this tab lock, turn it clockwise.






6. Once your done with that, just pull the rod towards you and wiggle the assembly and pull it out from out side



7. To install, just do everything in reverse, I did not use rivets, to make life easier, I just use nuts and bolts


Last edited by STL; 07-30-2010 at 04:30 PM.
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  #2  
Old 07-29-2010, 08:27 AM
MazdaB MazdaB is offline
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Default re: How to: Replace exterior door handle

Thanks for the detailed review of how to do this. I seem to have the same problem on a 98 but not sure. My outer handle on drivers side is tight to the body, and all rods and clips seem to be where they should, but the whole mechanism opens almost to the fullest before it pops the door open. Is this the condition that you are fixing here? If so, then I just need a new, replacement handle? Is that correct?

What is it that has come loose or worn in my case?

Thanks in advance for any input.
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  #3  
Old 07-29-2010, 09:20 AM
4evermodding 4evermodding is offline
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Default re: How to: Replace exterior door handle

This is actually great info, especially for guys who are painting their rangers, and want to remove the handles to get a cleaner paint job, now that i know the rivets can be removed and bolts can replace the rivets, man that does make life so much easier, especially if you had to encounter this problem again, riveting can suck sometimes, especially in small places.

GOOD JOB AND RIGHT UP BROTHER.
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  #4  
Old 07-29-2010, 09:31 AM
dixie_boysles dixie_boysles is offline
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Default re: How to: Replace exterior door handle

sweet writeup!
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  #5  
Old 07-29-2010, 10:08 PM
wangbungal wangbungal is offline
Ford Ranger 1997 3.0 V6
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 239
Default re: How to: Replace exterior door handle

Quote:
Originally Posted by MazdaB View Post
Thanks for the detailed review of how to do this. I seem to have the same problem on a 98 but not sure. My outer handle on drivers side is tight to the body, and all rods and clips seem to be where they should, but the whole mechanism opens almost to the fullest before it pops the door open. Is this the condition that you are fixing here? If so, then I just need a new, replacement handle? Is that correct?

What is it that has come loose or worn in my case?

Thanks in advance for any input.

its actually the spring that latches back the handle to open the door, its so worn its not functional anymore, yup thats the condition im fixing on this thread thanks to all glad to help!
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  #6  
Old 09-14-2010, 07:38 PM
Mike Mike is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 233
Default Re: How to: Replace exterior door handle

You are a god to me, thanks man
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What I've Done: Pioneer Head Unit, Nexen 31" Tires, Projector Headlights, Manual To Power Locks, Jet Black Paint Job, American Racing Baja Rims, Billet Grille, Herculiner, Rail Caps, Tinted Windows, Explorer Radio Bezel, Wired Bezel For Projectors, Kicker Sub/ Visonik Amp, Black Carpeting, Kicker 6x9 Speakers, High-Flow Air Intake, New Horn, Black Interior. Center Console, many more still in process.
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  #7  
Old 12-27-2011, 05:03 PM
2008NMRanger 2008NMRanger is offline
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Default Re: How to: Replace exterior door handle

Googled for a solution to my broken door handle and found this website & post.

Excellent instructions! Great pictures!

Didn't remove the 10mm bolt. Everything was accessible through the hole in the door panel. I would also note the armrest screw is a T15 torx. The other two are phillips.
The only thing we really did different (my son & I) was to punch out the center of the pop-rivets from the outside, then drilled them out. Didn't even touch the metal of the door skin. Shot some WD-40 on the vertical window guide bar to get rid of an annoying squeak and it only took about 30 minutes start to finish.

Thanks for a great post!
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  #8  
Old 06-17-2012, 08:05 AM
thecherryfamily thecherryfamily is offline
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Default Re: How to: Replace exterior door handle

The trouble spot for me is removing the rod from the clip so I can pull the door handle. Any tips or tricks? I'm stuck here.

----------

Forgot to mention it's a '98.
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  #9  
Old 10-31-2012, 01:50 PM
Cheez-It Cheez-It is offline
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Default Re: How to: Replace exterior door handle

Quote:
Originally Posted by thecherryfamily View Post
The trouble spot for me is removing the rod from the clip so I can pull the door handle. Any tips or tricks? I'm stuck here.

----------

Forgot to mention it's a '98.

I'm stuck here as well. Handle is on but I cant get the rod or turn it to connect to the handle.
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  #10  
Old 12-26-2012, 11:14 PM
2008NMRanger 2008NMRanger is offline
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Default Re: How to: Replace exterior door handle

Found this site a year ago when my PLASTIC drivers-side door handle broke. Now the passenger side is broken. I've searched the internet for METAL door handles for a 2008 Ranger and had no luck. Does anyone know a source?
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  #11  
Old 01-02-2015, 07:14 PM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 7,181
Default Re: How to: Replace exterior door handle

Just wondering if OP could repost the pics up there. they aren't working for me
edit: now all but the first two are working lol

Last edited by RoberticusMaximus; 01-02-2015 at 07:19 PM.
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  #12  
Old 11-22-2015, 07:40 AM
Pie R Squared Pie R Squared is offline
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Default Re: How to: Replace exterior door handle

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheez-It View Post
I'm stuck here as well. Handle is on but I cant get the rod or turn it to connect to the handle.
I am having the same problem can not attach the rod to the handle, any tips or tricks?
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  #13  
Old 11-22-2015, 11:12 AM
Fordzilla80 Fordzilla80 is offline
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Default Re: How to: Replace exterior door handle

If you have removed the rod from the truck, when you go to reinstall it, you have to put the rod into the handle first, and then put the other side of the rod into the door latch. If it isn't lining up at the door latch, you have to push down on the door latch arm while lining the rod up with the hole. You can't get two hands in there, so you have to do this with just one hand. It's not very hard to do once you figure it out.
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