Take off the door panel.
Video: (the 97-98 door panel will vary some but you get the idea)
http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...t=MOV00709.flv

Start with the green clip on the lock rod. This is located above the latch inside the door. Open the green part from the clear part, it opens from outside towards the inside.


Then remove the two 10mm bolts on each side of the handle


And pop it out, Pull the bottom out first, and then lower it to get the top out of the door. Also be careful not to scratch your paint with the lock rod because it will still be attached to the back of the handle.


BTW incase you thought I had something up my sleeve, these pics were taken out at my local junk yard since the door panels were already gone. So thats why the handle is black

 

nice write up, but did you go all the way to the junk yard just take off the handle and take pics?

 

lol nice writeup, we never know about you, always doin somethin sneaky


my tailgate handle was acting up a couple weeks ago so i pulled it apart and it has two of those green clips on it too, those things are a PITA

 

No unfortunately i had a reason to be out in the 100+ heat. My radiator decided it wanted to leak today. So its getting replaced tonight once things cool down a bit. I put on over 500 miles in the last 48 hours, and the it just started leaking this morning.

 

Yah the drivers side will have two clips/rods on it. I took pictures on the passenger side. The drivers side has a second rod on it for the key cylinder.

Good point

What ever do you mean

 

i know what you mean i had to replace the radiator on my f250 a couple of months ago

 

its been a while since I tried mine, but when I did this, the green peice was behind my window. even putting it up/down something was in the way and unable to remove it. ill give it another shot tho

 

Tried to replace my 2003 XL door handles today, but no luck. The right bolt is easy to open but how to access the left one?

 

its a complete pain to get that one off and then back on. i had to use an elbow in my socket wrench and just being patient and help from my dad to get it lined up and out. didnt help that i was putting it back on at night when i did it.

 

ratcheting wrench