Best aftermarket exterior doorhandles for 2003

Hi guys...I can't really get OEM exterior door handles right now because of the price,,,,what aftermarket brand is my best bet?,,,,I see a lot of complaints about Dorman,,,,I came across ACI over at RocAuto and it "looks" like its built well,,,,key word...Looks!....please advise...thanks

 

I have only had long lasting luck with OEM door handles

There are some”all metal” ones that some people have luck with but they are regularly out of stock and hard to get ahold of.

 

I would go used Toyota before aftermarket new!

Gotta some out there in part outs .

Why do people keep breaking the outer door handles ?

 

Plastic gets old. People opening with too much force.(guilty)

However when I couldnt afford OEM ones, I had better luck with Napa or oreileys or advanced auto parts or autozone than I did with Rockautoz.

They still ended up breaking in a fairly short time but the handles I got from rockauto, I don’t remember the ‘brand’ they ended up sending or that I chose but those literally broke the 5th time I opened it not even exaggerating.

 

I bought these (currently unavailable) and I'm very happy with them. From the first time I opened a door the feel was better. I guess even new the plastic ones flex a bit.

$62 T1A Metal Upgrade 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/dp/B07YQBPHS9?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

Does anyone know if T1A is even still making these at one time i found their website but i cant even pull up their website anymore. Are they Still in business? My passenger outer door handle just gave up the ghost, usually they let go because passengers get a bit aggressive if the door doesnt pop open where they think the pull should be.

 

I can't tell you if they're making them or not. All I can do is share my experience.

Those door handles were out of stock on Amazon. So, I put them on my wish list so they'd be easy to find again. Then I checked back from time to time. They were finally available. I ordered, they arrived. Now they are out of stock again.

 

For my 2000 I replaced with Dorman last fall and so far no problems. Search

$16 Dorman 769MX Front Passenger Side Exterior Door Handle Compatible with Select Toyota Models, Chrome

Dorman 769MX for passenger (right) side, check fit for your year.

 

Oem is the only ones I’d recommend. If you can’t afford it then go to the yard and get one ther. You gotta replace it asap cus if one side is broke and you break the other side youre toast.

 

I'm just imaging that scenario and find it funny as hell.