Need to break into my truck lol.

[Muzzlebrake]

So, due to the cold weather, both of my exterior door handles are now inoperable. The door lock rod clips broke on both sides and now I cannot get into my truck. Both doors are unlocked though. Anyone know of any tricks to get in to a 1986 Ranger that don’t have functioning exterior handles? Thanks.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

A coat hanger and patience. Hook the inside door handle to open. A wedge between the door and body can help.

 

[adsm08]

Do you have dog ear windows?

 

[Mark_88]

Yes, on the 86 it's fairly easy to pop the door latch...without going into specifics though because there was a big stink about security a few years back when someone posted a video about breaking into older Rangers...

The coat hanger has worked for me many times though...and once you understand how the door latches work it is quite simple to go just deep enough and have the right hook on your coat hanger to do the job.

I believe if you look at a diagram of the latching mechanism you can do this...and there just happens to be one on LMC where you may be able to order the parts you need to do the repair once you get in to take the inner door panel off...

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/FR/full.aspx?Page=18

Let me know if this revealed too much information...

EDIT: If you don't see the parts on LMC you may need to hit a junkyard...the 86-88 were the same...they changed things over in 89 when they reversed the door handle operation and inner door panel...but the entire door locking and inner panels can be used from 89-92 doors...but you have to swap out all or most of the hardware, window winding mechanism (or parts thereof) and even the latch...although that may be the same on both versions of the early Rangers.

EDIT 2: And if you need to you can even swap out the entire door from a later Ranger up to 92...as I did on my 88 cab...and it was a slight improvement for some things but the door handles are more prone to breaking...cheaper quality on the hook...

 

[Muzzlebrake]

Thanks guys! I managed to get a coat hangar onto the inside door handle. I had to wrap the other end around a dowel rod in order to have enough leverage to pull hard enough to pop the door open but I got it! Now to order some lock rod clips after counting how many I need to change them all. Looks like 3 per door for a total of six if I'm not mistaken.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

That’s why I like the sliding back windows. A small piece of metal. Slipped into the glass. Pops the lock open. And I can slide the window and read in

Maybe I shouldn’t have said that out loud lol

 

[Mark_88]

Thanks guys! I managed to get a coat hangar onto the inside door handle. I had to wrap the other end around a dowel rod in order to have enough leverage to pull hard enough to pop the door open but I got it! Now to order some lock rod clips after counting how many I need to change them all. Looks like 3 per door for a total of six if I'm not mistaken.

Great! I realized afterwards that I posted the wrong page for your vehicle...I hope you found it on page 16...

That’s why I like the sliding back windows. A small piece of metal. Slipped into the glass. Pops the lock open. And I can slide the window and read in

Maybe I shouldn’t have said that out loud lol

the sliding windows were great for that...but also the way someone broke into my cab and stole a pair of work boots...which I later recovered and still wear today...lol

 

[det107]

...the sliding windows were great for that...but also the way someone broke into my cab and stole a pair of work boots...which I later recovered and still wear today...lol

X3 on the sliding rear window.

Tell us the tale of how you recovered your work boots-

 

[MastuhWaffles]

Jump through the window for bonus points.

 

[saskbill]

That’s why I like the sliding back windows. A small piece of metal. Slipped into the glass. Pops the lock open. And I can slide the window and read in

Maybe I shouldn’t have said that out loud lol

Some of the more paranoid among us weld expanded metal on the backrack to discourage this sort of thing.

Means I'm out of luck trying to get in this way in the Walmart parking lot, but with patience and tools, in the driveway...

Footnote: I think it was adsm08 who asked up above if the truck had vent ('dog ear') windows. If I'm not mistaken (my trucks in storage but I was staring at a 1988 in the junkyard on Saturday) pre-89s have vent windows. Not ideal (I believe they have features to make them harder to unlock than my old Chevy pickup), but a place to start if necessity dictates...

 

[RangerFabWorks]

Some of the more paranoid among us weld expanded metal on the backrack to discourage this sort of thing.

Means I'm out of luck trying to get in this way in the Walmart parking lot, but with patience and tools, in the driveway...

Footnote: I think it was adsm08 who asked up above if the truck had vent ('dog ear') windows. If I'm not mistaken (my trucks in storage but I was staring at a 1988 in the junkyard on Saturday) pre-89s have vent windows. Not ideal (I believe they have features to make them harder to unlock than my old Chevy pickup), but a place to start if necessity dictates...

86 was the last year for vent windows. 87 and up was 1 piece door glass

 

[91stranger]

You can get those door clips at most auto stores. I picked one up at napa for like $1-2 for my 96 when it broke. Its like a 10 minute job as long as you get the clip in the right spot.

 

[Mark_88]

X3 on the sliding rear window.

Tell us the tale of how you recovered your work boots-

LOL...it is a long story...but I found the guy sitting on a park bench beside the hospital I was visiting...he claimed they were his boots along with my windbreaker that he was wearing...I looked inside the bag they were in (the one I put them in) and said "nope, those are mine and so is that windbreaker...but you can keep the windbreaker"...he was homeless...

I guess I could have given him a few bucks but I suggested he not take advantage of people visiting sick relatives and I think he took it to heart...

86 was the last year for vent windows. 87 and up was 1 piece door glass

True...but the doors can be swapped...I would do if I found a set in good shape.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

86 was the last year for vent windows. 87 and up was 1 piece door glass

I do remember seeing a Ranger many years ago (1st gen) that had vent windows, but my 1985 didn't.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

I’m looking for a mint set of doors with vent windows for my 88 project. It feels weird without them

I can deal without them in my 90. Newer body style, it feels right

But I drive a 84 for many years and driving the 88 but not having vents, drives me bonkers lol