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First gen door handle issue anyone?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Carter Tacoma 03, Jun 10, 2021.

  1. Jun 10, 2021 at 6:49 PM
    #1
    Carter Tacoma 03

    #1
    Carter Tacoma 03 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Carter
    Vehicle:
    2003 Toyota Tacoma Xtracab Prerunner 2WD 2.7L L4
    Recently out of nowhere my passenger side handle (on the outside) has gotten out of control.

    I want to mention that rarely anyone sits there and I am the only one in the truck full time.

    So the problem that I am having is when the door is unlocked and the latch is up ⬆️ when I go to open the door pulling the handle up, the latch goes down and the door locks.

    I am still able to unlock it with the key but if I do that then it keeps on happening. Due to me rarely ever using this door this is odd to me and I am still able to open the door just from the other side which you can tell is a large inconvenience.

    The door handle and lock are in great shape at least from the outside so it’s not too worn out.

    Does anyone know the cause of this? Anyone ever have this problem before? Another forum covering the topic? Fixes? Or I just need a new one?

    I will try to get a video into this thread/post later tommorow if I can.

    Thanks!
     
    Carter Tacoma 03, Jun 10, 2021
    #1
  2. Jun 10, 2021 at 11:18 PM
    #2
    Billnis

    #2
    Billnis Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Bill
    Menifee, CA
    Vehicle:
    2001 White PreRunner Extra Cab 3.4L V6 Oak Int.
    PERFORMANCE: TRD Gen1 Supercharger, Snow Performance Water/Methanol Injection, Toyota E-Locker, Falken Wildpeak Tires, 5100 Bilstein Shocks, Redarc Tow Pro Brake Controller, B&M Transmission Cooler. EXTERIOR: Raptor Spray-on Bedliner, Custom NRT Off Road decals, Chase Rack with Offroad Lights, Fog Lights, Bed Lights, Rear Bumper Lights, Rago Bed Stiffeners, T1A Metal Door Handles, 7-Pin Trailer Connector, Switchback front turn signals, LED tail lights, License Plate Lights Shutoff For Backup Camera. INTERIOR: Android Head Unit with OBD2, Dash Camera, Backup Camera, TPMS, and Hands Free Microphone, Rockville SS8P Subwoofer, Remote Door Locks with Automatic Window Close, RFID Kill Switch, Custom Switch Panel, Hands Free Phone Mount, All LED lights LED, Ignition Light Ring, A pillar two gauge pod with VC-50 Meth Injection Controller and NRT Branded Oil Pressure gauge, Torque Pro App for Gauges (Wideband Air/Fuel, Water Temp, Trans Temp, MAF, Volts, Timing, Engine Load, Intake Temp, Throttle Position, Fuel Status - shows open or closed loop, Instant MPG.)
    Not sure if these would fix your problem, but I am really happy with them. My passenger side handle was cracked and tried a cheap Chinese version and it was terrible.
    These I am sure are made in china, but the company is here in the USA. They sell them individually or in sets.
    [​IMG]
    $65 T1A Metal Upgraded Left Driver and Right Passenger Side Black Exterior Door Handle Pair Replacement for 1995-2004 Tacoma 69220-35020 69210-35020 Metal
    https://www.amazon.com/T1A-Passenge...b612e5f423f&pd_rd_wg=NUn5V&pd_rd_i=B07YQBPHS9
     
    Billnis, Jun 10, 2021
    #2
    Carter Tacoma 03[OP] and Qtboi69 like this.
  3. Jun 11, 2021 at 4:55 AM
    #3
    Qtboi69

    #3
    Qtboi69 Member

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    1998 Tacoma 5-Lug 2.4
    Recently changed both door handles lol, I'll have to pick these ones up when mine inevitably break
     
    Qtboi69, Jun 11, 2021
    #3
  4. Jun 11, 2021 at 1:40 PM
    #4
    Carter Tacoma 03

    #4
    Carter Tacoma 03 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Great thanks man
     
    Carter Tacoma 03, Jun 11, 2021
    #4
  5. Jun 11, 2021 at 4:24 PM
    #5
    YotainOregon

    #5
    YotainOregon Well-Known Member

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    Lube the mechanism
     
    YotainOregon, Jun 11, 2021
    #5
  6. Jun 11, 2021 at 8:05 PM
    #6
    99PreV6At

    #6
    99PreV6At Active Member

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    Gene
    Phoenix metro
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    1999 Prerunner V6

    I bought installed these this last week, they do seem to be higher quality. I replaced one dorman handle which is an aftermarket brand and one OEM handle (this was the original but recently cracked)
     
    99PreV6At, Jun 11, 2021
    #6
  7. Jun 11, 2021 at 8:33 PM
    #7
    agalloch07

    #7
    agalloch07 Well-Known Member

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    The $10 Chinese plastic handles work fine for me. The problem is the door latch getting gummed up with dirt and not wanting to open as easy as it should. Once you spray degreaser in the latch and clean it all out well then lube it with dry lube the handles will stop snapping off. Using oil to lube the latch just causes dirt to gum up the works and snap handles.
     
    agalloch07, Jun 11, 2021
    #7
    Carter Tacoma 03[OP] likes this.
  8. Jun 12, 2021 at 5:49 PM
    #8
    Carter Tacoma 03

    #8
    Carter Tacoma 03 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    2003 Toyota Tacoma Xtracab Prerunner 2WD 2.7L L4
    Do you have a video on replacing them yourself? I can’t seem to find anything.
     
    Carter Tacoma 03, Jun 12, 2021
    #8
  9. Jun 12, 2021 at 6:57 PM
    #9
    Billnis

    #9
    Billnis Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Member:
    #322835
    Messages:
    126
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    Menifee, CA
    Vehicle:
    2001 White PreRunner Extra Cab 3.4L V6 Oak Int.
    PERFORMANCE: TRD Gen1 Supercharger, Snow Performance Water/Methanol Injection, Toyota E-Locker, Falken Wildpeak Tires, 5100 Bilstein Shocks, Redarc Tow Pro Brake Controller, B&M Transmission Cooler. EXTERIOR: Raptor Spray-on Bedliner, Custom NRT Off Road decals, Chase Rack with Offroad Lights, Fog Lights, Bed Lights, Rear Bumper Lights, Rago Bed Stiffeners, T1A Metal Door Handles, 7-Pin Trailer Connector, Switchback front turn signals, LED tail lights, License Plate Lights Shutoff For Backup Camera. INTERIOR: Android Head Unit with OBD2, Dash Camera, Backup Camera, TPMS, and Hands Free Microphone, Rockville SS8P Subwoofer, Remote Door Locks with Automatic Window Close, RFID Kill Switch, Custom Switch Panel, Hands Free Phone Mount, All LED lights LED, Ignition Light Ring, A pillar two gauge pod with VC-50 Meth Injection Controller and NRT Branded Oil Pressure gauge, Torque Pro App for Gauges (Wideband Air/Fuel, Water Temp, Trans Temp, MAF, Volts, Timing, Engine Load, Intake Temp, Throttle Position, Fuel Status - shows open or closed loop, Instant MPG.)
    Billnis, Jun 12, 2021
    #9
    Carter Tacoma 03[OP] likes this.
  10. Jun 12, 2021 at 7:02 PM
    #10
    99PreV6At

    #10
    99PreV6At Active Member

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    Yeah there's a handful of them on YouTube though the 1999 door with power windows was a little bit different than the videos I found online... I was able to get off everything without breaking it except for the triangle hard plastic piece on the door. Luckily I was able to put it back on and use a tiny bit of super glue on the top where the clip broke and it's holding well and looks fine
     
    99PreV6At, Jun 12, 2021
    #10
    Carter Tacoma 03[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  11. Jun 13, 2021 at 7:50 AM
    #11
    Carter Tacoma 03

    #11
    Carter Tacoma 03 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Male
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    Carter
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    2003 Toyota Tacoma Xtracab Prerunner 2WD 2.7L L4
    Great thanks. I’m rocking the good ol manuals on an 03 lol. I will try to find something on YouTube, thanks.
     
    Carter Tacoma 03, Jun 13, 2021
    #11
  12. Jun 13, 2021 at 8:11 AM
    #12
    Potomus Pete

    #12
    Potomus Pete Love my little truck

    Joined:
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    Hippy
    Sarasota Florida The Great Place To Live.
    Vehicle:
    1999 Prerunner single cab. With a BO7A rear end
    All kinds 3 inch body lift/2 1/2 suspension lift. 31/11 1/2/15 tires All work done by myself for years. The only work performed by mechanic was fuel pumps. I also have a 90 Mustang 350 hp and I can never understand how come my Tacoma gets more respect Just got a 99 Jeep TJ that I rebuilt, and painted in the garage
    Im on my second, and third sets. Be extra careful with the lock mechanism...THEY BREAK EASY. The key lock metal breaks, and keys are expensive
     
    Potomus Pete, Jun 13, 2021
    #12

Products Discussed in

T1A Metal Upgraded Left Driver and Right Passenger Side Black Exterior Door Handle Pair Replacement for 1995-2004 Tacoma 69220-35020 69210-35020 Metal
$64.87
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