Thank you so very much, Fast Fix, for posting this! When my door handle (2001 Tacoma Base - 256K miles) finally gave out, I wasn't sure who to take it to to get fixed. Then I happened upon your video. Great pace, great instruction, great shots of the work you were doing. Gave me the confidence to do this myself. Decided to change out my speakers at the same time - a nice 20th birthday present to my beloved little truck which I purchased in July 2001.
Wow, you’ve made good use of that truck! The one you see in the video was a 2004 I believe. It was just traded in a few months ago. Had roughly 200k on it. Great truck except for the door handles! Glad the video helped you. I hope your parts last a while! I found better luck with the more expensive door handles. Just FYI if you bought on the cheaper side. Thanks for the comment 👍
I purchased my 2000 Tacoma new that same year and still own it. I have a second vehicle that I drive at least half the time so much Tacoma sits in my driveway a lot and I have had no less than six people leave notes on it or come to my door wanting to buy it
Just changed out my door handle followed your directions step by step. Thanks for the clear, accurate and nicely videoed instructions. Made this job much easier.
This was by far the most direct, easiest to follow instructional I have had the pleasure to need. All in all, it took me 15 mins to replace my handle with no issues whatsoever. Thank you very much.
Thank you for taking the time to make this video! I replaced mine today, after watching your video! Thanks a lot. Now I need to know how to fix my door lock on the back door it keeps sliding down when I open the door. If you try to shut the door it hits the medal bar on the frame. I have to slide it up every time before I shut the door.
Hello! I’m glad this video helped! Thank you for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it 👍👍. As far as the rear door lock, I have not personally had any experience with them, but I’d start with removing the door panel and inspecting the connections. More than likely, a rod is bent or not secured well to a clip. Just have to open things up and look around. Sorry if this doesn’t help much. Best of luck!
This is the very best video posted regarding changing the door locks. I just finished changing the door locks in my 2001 Tacoma Prerunner and I used this video as the guide. 100% success. Thank you for this fantastic video. The locksmith wanted $375. I did this job for $35.
Pro tip! Don’t forget, the point you really need to lube to help keep from happening again is at the linkage above the door latch/locking mechanism (straight below the handle links inside door). That is the binding point on most of them and make that all buttery smooth and handle less likely to break.
This is it. My new handle wouldn't even work until I did this and then worked the inner handle back and forth 25 times. Now its smooth as granny's caboose! So not that smooth but much smoother.
Dude, thank you for your excellent video on how to replace the door handle! I followed all your directions and I replaced the handle! You saved me a lot of $$$! Keep on posting your excellent videos!
Thank you for the video! I literally just broke my door handle this morning from a frozen door. I was hoping there was a solution and your video it’s very informative and gives me the confidence I think I can get it fix myself
good vid! More advice for you out there....your handle likely keeps breaking because that dang linkage inside the door to the handle rod keeps binding. You can see it going down from the handle and connecting to the inner hand rod. Spray the mess out of that linkage with your favorite lubricant. Then work the inside door handle rod (the one that is parallel to the ground when you have the door panel off) back and forth 20-30 times to really get that linkage working smoothly again. My new handle wouldn't even work until I did this and now it's like new. Also to gain accesss to the bolt closest to the door edge pop off that little rubber piece then you can stick your socket extension in straight. Don't know if that was mentioned in the vid. Happy wrenchin!
The latch on my tailgate was not working so I took it apart and was able to use jb weld to fix the broken part. It was metal to plastic so the repair was easy. I think it should last a long time. The tailgate doesn’t get used as much and I’m gentle with it when I do open it.
Perfect! Saved the Day. My buddy broke my handle today and offered to pay for it. After a few free beers from him, we did it ourselves thanks to your video. Thanks man, cheers!!
Excellent demonstration! I have a 2001 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner SR5 that my mom bought brand new. Since I've had it the past 12 years, I've replaced both front exterior door handles once. This is my second time replacing and needed a refresher on how to. After watching this, I remember what we did last time, and your list of tools at the beginning was very helpful. Thank you.
You’re welcome! Glad this video could be of help. I appreciate the comment. As much as these break, it’s amazing we’re all not pros. I’ll have to watch my own video over to get a refresher for the next replacement. Cheers!
Great video. The reason I’m responding is my 2002 Tacoma needs a new door handle. And with your video I think I can do it without much trouble. Thanks again. I think I’ll go to Toyota to get a new one because doorman parts like this don’t last as long.
Hello. Yes, absolutely get the factory handle from Toyota or spend the extra money on a more expensive aftermarket handle. In my experience, the cheap replacements only last a year or two. If you’ve got some mechanical experience or just a little inclined, you can absolutely do this yourself. Just set aside some time and keep this video handy 👍 Thanks for the comment!
Got it changed pretty easy. Although I did add jb weld on the stress points of the new one before I put it in. And I jb welded the old one for a spair see how long it lasts. I’m the only one that drives this truck so I take it easy when I open the door. No yanking on the handle it isn’t necessary to open it.
BEST VIDEO FOR THIS JOB! I've watched four of these videos today. This one has the most detail regarding the two rods that hook to the lock mechanism and handle mechanism. thank you kind sir!
The aftermarket handles are trash this is my 3rd set I've gone through in only a few years. I watch these videos every time I have to replace them even though I've done it before the videos are great!
Glad to hear it helped even though your a hardened pro! Agree on the build quality. I sprung for the more expensive handles this time and they’ve now lasted a few years 👍
Hello. Yup, it’s definitely a common occurrence. That was the third set of handles installed on that truck. Best of luck on the repair. I appreciate the comment 👍
Thank you for the very detailed instructions. I don't work on vehicles much. Great job and Thank You. I got both of mine changed perfectly without paying garage prices...
Hello. Fantastic! Always great to hear a success story especially when it’s someone who has relatively low experience working on vehicles. Nice job and thanks for the comment 👍
This is an 8 minute video but it takes 3 hours to accomplish this task! It is also great if you have a lot of patience, and long, thin fingers. Got it done, good instructions.
Hello. Yes, the videos never tell the full story of the process. Just so you know the “fast” in Fas Fix is a reference to the expediency of the video helping the viewer get the job done properly and not necessarily in reference to the job itself. Lol, yes long skinny fingers to help quite a bit. It’s weird, but I hear that comment a lot and maybe I should mention it because it’s very true. Thank you for the nice words too 👍👍👍
Great video! Had to destroy white clip w needle nose as Rod would not pull out of old handle. 1st time Changing out 20 year old handle. Door panel clips broke but auto parts stores have these. So happy now! Only negative is my 10mm socket is in door now. Looked all over and not at bottom. It's over on door opening side but can't reach and no luck w magnet. If new to this, just watch video over and over. I'm back in business. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing. This is an excellent video, listing the tools right in the beginning, as well as links to useable resources. Absolute gem. Thanks again man, appreciate you!
Thanks so much! I did this last year. Now 1 year later I must do it again. Done buy cheap handles. I just paid for OEM and I should be installing today.
Hello. Yes definitely by the expensive OEM ones. The remanufactured ones or offbrand versions only last about a year as you’ve discovered. Best of luck for the future!
Thanks so much, bro! I got a 1999 and the door handle on the driver's side broke off in my hand. I just ordered a new handle from Amazon and checking out your vid right now on how to do the replacement. I plan to do it this weekend. Later!
Hello. Bummer on the door handle, but they’re all on borrowed time. Best of luck with the repair! Thanks for the comment 👍. Feel free to let me know how it goes.
Thank you for this great video. My part came in today via Amazon. I changed it out in about 30 minutes. Taking it apart was way harder than putting it back together. I definitely would not have tried it myself, if it wasn't for this video ,thank you! Much love from Central California 😎
Recovering from new truck fever,decided if my rust free 2002 can make it to 400k might as well go for 5. Restoring it to new and this is job 1..thanks man., subscribed.
Wow, rust free at that mileage is crazy! The truck in this video was soon discovered to be unrepairable due to a rusted through frame. It’s now probably a scrap heap somewhere. Considering prices right now, I’d hang onto that truck for as long as I could. To the moon! Or 500k 👍
Great video ! Very informative & super easy to follow. I’m amazed at how you were able to get all of the finesse interior work all on video. Awesome job !
Thanks for this video. It saves me some time. Borrowed my father’s truck and it broke (20year old plastic) and he yelled at me anyway, so I am fixing it. Got a genuine handle on eBay, hopefully lasts another 20.LOL
@@FastFixRU-vid I installed it today. I had a bit of a problem getting the thicker rod off the door handle. A heavy duty hook tool made quick work of it. I used wd40 as you suggested to clean the lock and then used that lock ease stuff with the graphite because the WD will evaporate after. While. The WD also made quick work of removing grease I got on the white paint on the truck. Thanks again, your advice helped me do the job much quicker-at work on my lunch hour! I still wonder if it just cracked or if it was vandalism… 500 plus sold on eBay, so probably just plastic fatigue after 20 years.
Awesome, glad the repair went relatively smooth. Yep, it’s fatigue. They break all the time. It’s a common problem. Thanks for all the comments! Much appreciated 👍
Great video. Thanks. The only instruction missing was that the inside door handle needs to slide towards the front of the door. I thought it must just pop out, but there are tabs that must disengage by sliding the inside handle forward a bit.
Better than the other video I found... Clearly explained and with good videography and tips along the way. Thanks! (wish me luck in a few days... Waiting on the replacement).
Thanks for the video. Just did mine a little while ago on both doors '01 tacoma prerunner. The only thing that I struggle a bit was the re-installation of the plastic latch back to the metal rod that connects to the door latch from the inside of the passenger door. The metal rod was kind of too short to re-insert to the back of the release handle and you've got just a little room to slide back the plastic lock that holds the rod. It's a bit challenging but definitely consider it a "Fast Fix!" Thanks again for your great video.
Thank you very much for the very informative video… I took on this project this afternoon and replaced my driver store outside handle… And thanks to you it went very smoothly!
You did a great job explaining. I was able to do it almost by myself. My door won't unlock with the key but I don't even care at least I have a door handle 😅 thank you!
Did it this morning. Great video, great instruction! Everything went like you said. You might want to add your list of tools/parts. The connectors. I broke 4.
Good instructions. Only improvement: would definitely recommend having 9mm Door Trim Panel retainers on hand. These hold the interior door panel to the door and several will break when you pop the interior door panel off.
Just replaced mine for the 2nd time. The cheap 1 lasted 8 months but hopefully the Dorman will last a bit longer. Thanks for the great tips and tool links.
Yep, sounds about right. The cheap ones don’t last long at all. This is the 3rd door handle on the truck. Hope the nicer ones lasts longer. So far so good!
Hello! Best of luck! I hope I didn’t make it look too easy, but in my opinion, it is something most can do. I have heard people with larger hands have more issues, but other than that, pretty straight forward. Thanks for the comment!
This will be my third time replacing the handle. Dealer wants like $90. Went cheap and bought off eBay. They tend to last 2-3 years. At least the last one had a warranty. Should be an expert by now but always need to refer to a how to guide. You make it look so easy.
You are welcome! This is the 3rd handle on this truck. The last two were cheap. This one was $50ish I believe. We’ll see if it lasts! Thanks for the comment 👍
I just did it step-by-step and it worked great. I had to do this on an old Chevy one time and learned the hard way that you have to roll the window up in order to access all the stuff inside the panel. Fortunately I remembered that this time. Thanks again that was a lot of help 🙂