98 Ranger - opening stuck rear door lower latch / temp handle bypass

Original Poster: Rusty Carbs

Difficulty: 3 out of 10

Time to install: 1.5 hours (working at a leisurely pace)

Disclaimer: The Ranger Station.com, The Ranger Station.com Staff, nor the original poster are responsible for you doing this modification to your vehicle. By doing this modification and following this how-to you, the installer, take full responsibility if anything is damaged or messed up. If you have questions, feel free to PM the original poster or ask in the appropriate section of The Ranger Station.com forums.

Brief Explanation: Opening stuck rear door on 1998 Ford Ranger when the plastic cable stays have broken at the 2 latches, and the upper latch cable works when pulled with pliers at the door handle, but the lower latch cable does not work when pulled with pliers, not allowing the door to open. Also includes steps to create a temporary door handle bypass to allow the door to operate until permanent replacement cable stays are installed.

Tools Needed:

3/8" ratchet
#50 torx socket
15mm socket
#27 torx bit & driver
large flathead screwdriver wrapped in tape
slip joint pliers
wire cutters
small angled pick


Materials Needed:

18 ga. wire spool (*NOT 16 ga. as described below - sorry for the error!)
2 ea. zip ties (6-8") *per door
penetrating lubricant

here are the step-by step instructions and images (sorry the images are so huge, they are 8-1/2 x 11 on Imgur so they can be zoomed in detail and printed out!): (see at: http://greasybeets.imgur.com/all/

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Thanks for the opportunity to help someone out there fix this problem!
Cheers,

Rusty