Outside door handles

[XLTsplash]

I'm thinking about replacing the outside door handles on my 97 to the newer type deluxe handles painted body color. Do the outside door handle release rods need to be changed when doing this swap ? The LMC catalog shows different rods for 93/98 and 99/11 . The guy selling the handles on ebay says they fit all 93 and newer Rangers. Here's a link to the handles I'm looking at
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RANGER-Outs...Ford|Model:Ranger&hash=item485d267990&vxp=mtr

 

[ZRX Doug]

Funny..I just joined this site tonight to try and find out what everyone was using for aftermarket replacement handles..
I just bought a pair from the guy you linked on fleabay, cannot recommend them to anyone..the driver's side snapped off in my hand last night, couldn't have even used the dang thing more than fifteen-twenty times since installing it. I'm just hoping the passenger side one hangs in there until I get a pair of better ones..

Made in Taiwan of cheap plastic..and the "warranty" is pretty much a joke..look elsewhere.

 

[XLTsplash]

The price of those handles did seem very low. The guy says they will fit 93/11 Rangers. In looking at the back side of the handle I don't think they will work on my 97 Ranger without changing the rods. There is a guy selling metal handles for more money, they also won't work on my 97 without changing the rods. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Outside-Out...fits=Model:Ranger&hash=item20d79debfb&vxp=mtr
So now I need to look for the rods to go with the newer type deluxe handles. I could just sand the handles that are on my Ranger smooth and paint them, they are only about a year old. Or I could just leave my handle black .

 

[MastuhWaffles]

You should just paint them up yourself, it wouldn't be to hard of a job. Take them off, clean them, sand em up, prime em, then throw your white coats on there, and if you fancy, clearcoat them.

 

[XLTsplash]

That's what I ended up doing. The handles had the pebble grain finish, it was easy to sand off and make them smooth. I like the look of the body color handles, I think they make the Ranger look cleaner and newer.