Advice/Tips/Tricks on Outer Door Handle & Lock Replacement

[Kuze]

Hi All -
I am planning on replacing my outer door handle and locks. Wanted to see if anyone has any insights, do's and do not's, tips, tricks, etc... that could shed some wisdom on.
I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!

 

[MarsChariot]

For the door handles, many of us have found that the reproduction handles are great, but the push buttons in the repro handles are not so great. When you do this disassemble the new handle, install your old button and you are good to go. Use new clips to remove any slop. On the door locks I know of no known issues. Other may additional comments. (I just did this last weekend..again on another project so it is fresh in my mind-new handles-old buttons and plunger rods. Make sure the you get the old lever on with plenty of freeplay.)

 

[DirtDonk]

I'm a "while I'm in there" kind of guy. So I say that while you're messing about with the mechanism already, go ahead and pull it all apart, remove the latch assemblies, and clean them up good. Then re-lube them.
At the very least, check them out. Usually they're much more gummed up than people realize. Thinking normally, that Bronco doors are always hard to open. When in fact, if you have a good working set of clean and lubricated door latches, they should open and close like any other vehicle.

Excluding any trouble you might already have with door seals, which make closing hard no matter how good your latches are1

Paul