Outside Outer Exterior Door Handle Zinc Metal Textured Black | eBay

looks promising. say's its metal not plastic.

 

Just an update for those interested. The handles i posted above are indeed metal. They look just like the oem handles. Feel heavy and strong they don't flex like the plastic ones, hopefully they last. Also the surface that contacts the door is plastic probably to prevent paint removal. All in all i think these handles are the solution to the handle breaking problem.

 

I've broken two of these. Finally put a new latch in this last time and the door opens much easier. So far no issues since.

 

Wow I wish I would have found those handles a long time ago then!

 

Well I got slightly intoxicated and pulled on my door handle and broke it so I guess I will be ordering a metal handle to see how they hold up.

 

I know this post is a little old, but I just got my 2001 Ranger back on the road after being out of commission for over a year (transmission).

You can ask my co-workers about my door handles breaking. I ranted about it from time to time. Thanks for posting that eBay link. It's still an active item on eBay. I ordered two of those, and I ordered a tailgate handle as well.

 

Ok guys I need a bit of help, I have an 02 ranger with power locks and a broken door handle. I've removed the rivets, but how do I unhook the rod on the interior of the door from the door handle? I already have a new handle to install. Just can not pull the old one off because of this rod and I'm sure there is some way to unhook it I just have not figured it out.

 

If you look at the top of the rod, where it connects to the handle, from the inside of the door you will see a clip (mine is white) that holds it into the handle. Take a small screw driver and carefully release the clip and then the rod should slide out of the hole on the handle. It make take a little force it's been a while since I've done so I can't remember for sure.

 

Thanks, I found the clip mine is actually at the bottom of the rod, close to the actuator. It was a bit rusted but I finally got it to release.

 

Yep not a problem! That could be where mine is too. I haven't had to replace it since I put the metal handle on so my memory is a little fuzzy on it but now that you mentioned it I do think I pulled the rod out with the handle.

 

I appreciate the feedback. I've only had my ranger a few years and she's done well for me but I'll stick around here. Never know what good tidbits I might pick up.

 

Has anybody been able to find an old metal door handle.
My 1998 Ford ranger pickup door handle broke today. I think he was due to the cold weather. Boat driver and passenger side are broke. I've already replaced the driver side with a plastic one. Like some of the older pickups had metal door handles. Wish they would make an all-metal door handle.
If anybody has seen one let me know as I can't use the pickup in the condition that it's in.

 

For anyone interested you can get metal replacement handles from Amazon including chrome.