Are you experiencing difficulty opening or closing your Ford Ranger’s door? Has the exterior door handle become loose or damaged over time? Fret not! In this comprehensive step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of replacing your Ford Ranger Exterior Door Handle, bringing back the functionality and aesthetics of your vehicle.
Remove Door Panel
- Remove the door panel by prying up on its edges with a flathead screwdriver, then pulling it off the hinges.
- Remove the inner door panel by removing two screws in each corner, then pull it off its hinges and set it aside for later use when putting everything back together.
- Remove your exterior handle by unscrewing it from its base (if you have power windows or locks on this side of your truck, they’ll need to be removed as well). If there isn’t enough room between your armrests to reach this area without removing them first…well…then we’re sorry! Try doing this step on another day when those aren’t in place.
- Take out all four screws that hold down each side piece before pulling them off completely; these pieces will come loose only once all four screws have been removed, so don’t worry about trying too hard here, either.
Gather Your Tools
Now that you’ve decided to replace the exterior door handle on your Ford Ranger, it’s time to gather the necessary tools and parts. You will need:
- The correct replacement door handle. This can be purchased at an auto parts store or online, besides finding them at some local hardware stores. It should match exactly what came off your vehicle regarding color, style, and function (for example, power lock vs manual).
- Replacement screws should be long enough so that when placed, they won’t stick out past where they’re supposed to be (you don’t want them showing through onto other panels).
- Replacement clips/gaskets, if applicable; these are often sold together as a set but may come separately depending on which model year vehicle yours is from (see below).
Order the Replacement
The first step is to order your replacement door handle from a reputable supplier. You can do this by searching for “Ford-Ranger Exterior Door Handles” on Google or looking up parts suppliers in your local area. An excellent place to start would be Autozone, which has stores all over the United States and provides free shipping on orders over $50 (which means most people will qualify).
When ordering online, ensure you’re buying from a reputable source with good reviews. Many unreliable sellers out there will send you an inferior product or not give refunds if something goes wrong with a delivery. Always check return policies before making purchases like this; some sellers may require buyers’ signatures upon delivery of goods so they know who’s responsible if anything happens later down the line!
Step 1: Prepare Your Vehicle
To begin, you’ll need to remove the door panel. To do this, use a flathead screwdriver and pry out each plastic clip holding it in place. There are usually three on each side of your vehicle; one at the top of each window channel, one near where your handle is located (just below where you’d rest your arm), and one at the bottom corners of both sides’ door panels. Once all four have been removed from their respective locations on each side (two on each), gently pull up on them until they come off ultimately.
Once that’s done–and make sure not to lose any pieces!–you’re ready for step two: gathering tools! Gather your tools before moving forward, just in case anything goes awry during the installation process later down the line here… You’ll need an 8mm socket extension with a breaker bar attachment (or something similar). This will help loosen up those stubborn old bolts inside so they can get rid of those old handles once and for all!
Step 2: Remove the Inner Door Panel
To remove the inner door panel, you must remove four screws that secure it to the door. There is one screw at each corner of your Ranger’s interior handle and two more on either side. Once all four screws have been removed, gently pull away from your vehicle’s frame until you can get a good grip on it with both hands. Lift upwards while pulling off slowly towards yourself so as not to damage any wires or cables underneath that may be connected to other parts inside your truck’s bodywork.
Step 3: Access the Exterior Door Handle
Now that you have removed the door panel and inner door panel, you must access the exterior door handle. To do this, remove all of the screws holding it in place. You may need to use a Phillips head screwdriver for this step. Once you’ve removed all these screws, carefully pull your old handle from its position on your Ford Ranger’s exterior doors with your hands or pliers if necessary.
Once you have successfully removed your old interior door handle from its position on each side’s exterior door(s), install your new one by simply reversing these steps in reverse order!
Step 4: Detach the Old Exterior Door Handle
Now that you have removed the exterior door handle, it’s time to detach the old interior door handle.
- Remove all the screws that hold the interior door handle in place and remove them from your Ford Ranger.
- Next, remove two screws from each side of your exterior door lock mechanism (they should be located on top and bottom). This will allow you to pull out this assembly from under your vehicle’s skin so you can access its pins more easily later on during installation.
Step 5: Install the New Exterior Door Handle
The next step is to install the new exterior door handle. First, you must remove any existing screws or bolts from your old grip and set them aside for future use. Next, place your new exterior door handle into position on top of where it was before by lining up its holes with those in the frame of your truck. Once this is done, install all four screws that came with your kit into each hole at a time until they are securely tightened onto their respective threads inside their corresponding holes.
Once everything has been installed correctly and securely tightened with no gaps between parts or pieces visible anywhere on either side (as seen above), proceed to Step 6!
Step 6: Reassemble the Inner Door Panel
Once you have removed the door handle, it’s time to reassemble the inner door panel. The first step is to put all your tools away and ensure you return them to their proper place. Next, if there are any screws left over from removing the old exterior door handle, ensure they are secure before reassembling your vehicle’s exterior door handle.
Once all of these steps have been completed successfully and there aren’t any loose pieces or tools lying around anymore (which would be very dangerous), then it will be time for you as a mechanic to test out whether or not this new replacement tool works properly by trying out its functionality again!
Step 7: Test the New Exterior Door Handle
Now that you have replaced your Ford-Ranger Exterior Door Handle, it’s time to test it. Check for smooth operation and correct operation of the new exterior door handle. If everything works correctly, then congratulations! You’ve completed this DIY project.
Install New Door Handle
- Make sure that the new exterior door handle is aligned with the door.
- Install it just as you did with your old one, using a pair of pliers to compress the spring clip and insert its end into the hole on top of the striker plate.
- Test your work by pulling on both sides of your new exterior door handle to ensure it works properly before reassembling everything else.
Follow These Steps to Replace Your Ford-Ranger Exterior Door Handle
- The exterior door handle is one of the most important parts of your Ford Ranger. It allows you to get in and out of your vehicle, so replacing it if it breaks is important.
- The first step is to remove the interior trim from around the handle. You can do this by prying off any clips that hold them in place with a flathead screwdriver or small pry bar tool. Then use an Allen wrench (or similar tool) to remove screws around the area where you want to install your new exterior door handle.
- Next, pull off any old adhesive behind where your new exterior door handle will go; this will ensure that everything stays secure once installed.
Importance of Ford Ranger Exterior Door Handle Replacement
The exterior door handle is an essential component of your Ford Ranger, and Ford Ranger Exterior Door Handle Replacement is a good idea. Anyone with basic mechanical skills can replace the exterior door handle in just a few minutes. Here’s how:
- Open up your hood and disconnect the negative battery cable from its post on top of your battery using a wrench or socket wrench set (if applicable). You don’t want to accidentally short out any electrical components while working on this part of your car; therefore, disconnecting the battery first is an important safety measure before beginning this project!
- Remove all screws holding down trim panels around where this part connects into place using either pliers or an Allen wrench set (you’ll need both), depending on what kind you have available at home already–make sure nothing gets lost inside those tight spaces, though! Once all screws are obliterated, pull off surrounding pieces so they aren’t blocking access points below where they will work next.
FAQs about replacing Ford Ranger Exterior Door-Handle
Q1: Is replacing the Ford-Ranger Exterior Door Handle a complicated task? A: While it requires some basic mechanical skills and tools, the process is relatively straightforward. By following our step-by-step guide and taking your time, you can successfully replace the door handle with little difficulty.
Q2: Can I replace the exterior door handle if I have no prior DIY experience? A: Yes, you can! This DIY project is suitable for beginners with some mechanical aptitude. Just ensure you have the necessary tools and follow the instructions carefully.
Q3: How long does it take to replace the exterior door handle? A: The time required depends on your experience level and familiarity with car repairs. On average, completing the task may take about 1 to 2 hours.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve successfully replaced your Ford Ranger’s exterior door handle. By following this step-by-step guide, you’ve saved money on costly repairs and gained a sense of accomplishment in tackling this DIY project. You can easily access your vehicle with a smoothly functioning door handle. We hope this step-by-step guide has helped you to replace your Ford-Ranger Exterior Door Handle. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below!