I pulled on the handle and only the top latch released so I pulled again and little pieces fell out. I started looking and comparing to the pax side (that still works) and see that there are two rubber stops that hold the cable in place so the inner wire can pull the latch open. Well the one on the drivers side has come apart and no longer holds the cable in place behind the door panel. Anyone else had this happen? Mine is a 2001 with 147k miles, but the rubber stops look like they have deteriorated badly. Any idea's? I guess the cables can be replaced, and I can pull on the wires enough to get the door open to get inside the panel.

Not complaining as the truck, since buying 10-months ago, has done what I bought it for; you know, those trips to Lowe's for things you just can't get into a car. So far, I've put a new battery, a new radiator and an alternator, and it has a little skip at idle. It runs well and so far I've been able to do all the work.

Thanks to any with some insight.

 

Well, I guess no one else has had this problem or do not know what to do. So I did a bit more searching and found that it is a common problem in a lot of trucks, and an expensive fix at the dealer - I don't do dealer unless I just have to. I found that there is a metal retainer that replaces the rubber one on the cable to hold it in place, can be bought cheaply and just takes some time to replace. I'll be ordering some and doing this in the near future. Yes, there are YouTube video's showing how to.

 

There are YouTube videos that explain the repair. In the mean time, pull on the ends of both cables at the same time to unlatch both the top and bottom latches and open the door. Instead of replacing the cables entirely, order cable ends from eBay. I remember the parts costing about $7/door. It took me about 1 1/2 hours to repair both. You'll need 4-3/16" pop rivets to reinstall the handles.