Fragile Taco door handles.

why? already replaced drivers side.

 

Age

Have you considered the age of the newest 1st gen?

 

Yes. Guess 16 years is enough.

 

I did have to replace the original on my Tacoma though; used a Dorman and it worked great afterward. Stupid inexpensive.

 

Dorman. Thanks.

 

Don't forget to lubricate the pivots before installing. Common cause of premature failure (both on OEM and aftermarket handles)

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

And use some lithium grease on the window slides while you have the door card off.. keep em rolling up and down smooth

 

is that aka the 'run channel' rubber piece?

 

No I mean this channel circled in the lower portion of the photo.. not a bad idea to redo the gear teeth as well

 

Gee why does that photo look so familiar haha

 

Its was the only one I knew off hand that was easily accessible and showed all parts

 

$33 Exterior Front Driver Door Handle Replacement, Upgraded Metal - Compatible with 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma - Textured Black - OEM 69220-35020, 79344, 91319, TO1310117

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YQBM1Y4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They make metal ones.
I just installed last weekend and they feel very sturdy.

 

I think I got one off eBay for $10.

 

These handles are the bane of my existence. I’ve replaced both driver side and passenger 3 times. This last round I finally caved and got a dealership part for my driver side but a junkyard part for the passenger side, but now the passenger is broken. Again. FML.

I think I’m gonna have to try these. I’m starting to think that the bars that connect to the handle are bent or something.

 

@Rucas Thanks! Gonna order tonight lol.
@96BlueTacos Looks like Im not alone lol.

 

Crazy. Mines a 2000 and looks to still have the factory handles. My guess is a climate thing as well.

 

My passenger door is kind of weird. Don't know if it's a lock thing, or a handle thing. I have manual locks/windows. It's difficult to unlock the passenger side, sometimes I literally can't do it without bending/twisting the key. Or sometimes it will be halfway unlocked, and the door won't open. I've tried lubricating it, and it seemed to help, but I have never tried to take the door panel off so I could really try to fix. How hard is it to get the inner door panel off? The only thing I'm not too sure of is how to get the window crank handle off. Both doors on my '99 could certainly use a little love though

 

My gawd, is the handle part really metal?

 

Yeah the part that you lift and pull (the part that most likely breaks) is all metal.
It feels super sturdy. The rest of the unit is built the same as replacement/stock (plastic)