door handle replacement help

Hey all,

Apologies if this has been covered in a previous thread. my 2000 tacoma was broken into on a recent trip down to baja - driver side door handle and locking cylinder were busted.

took it to one of my local mechanic to order replacement parts and was quoted at $110 for a new cylinder and $144 for a new door handle from toyota...

the cylinder price i sort of understand but $144 for a new plastic door handle seems bit absurd, no? would i be better off ordering

$16 FAERSI 2pcs Outside Exterior Door Handles Front Left Driver Side & Right Passenger Side Fit for 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Toyota Tacoma 2004-2012 Toyota Hilux 769MX 768MX

something like this from amazon?

thanks for any advice!

 

Local Napa sells Dorman brand handles for <30.

 

The cheaper handles will break constantly.

There’s a metal replacement on rock auto form “SKP” (part number SK79344 and SK79345) that is better than those $18 Amazon jobs. They run about $30 each. Kind of a middle ground in quality vs price

 

IMO it's best to stick with OEM parts (when you can) because as someone mentioned in a previous post, 'These' exterior door handles will last. They're designed differently and even weigh more compared to aftermarket parts. I bought 'replacement' door handles from Amazon and the guy at the shop laughed and said "I bet I can guess what you paid for these" followed by $20 to $25 - he was right. He then said "they won't last you a year". Sent them back, and placed my order with Boch Toyota South. The side by side comparison was my 'lightbulb moment'. It's not just about the 'fit'. Get parts that will last awhile.

You should view and bookmark this site https://toyotaparts.bochtoyotasouth.com/ best to order your parts by VIN and you'll be surprised at how competitive the prices are compared to online outlets, and Toyota dealerships within close proximity to where you live. These folks are in MA. Hope this helps.

69220-35020 - Handle Outside - 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma Left - No Chrome
https://toyotaparts.bochtoyotasouth.com/oem-parts/toyota-1995-2004-toyota-tacoma-handle-outside-6922035020?c=Zz1ib2R5JnM9bG9jay1hbmQtaGFyZHdhcmUmbD0yJm49U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHMmYT10b3lvdGEmbz10YWNvbWEmeT0xOTk5JnQ9c3I1JmU9My00bC12Ni1nYXM=

69210-35020 - Handle Outside - 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma Right - No Chrome
https://toyotaparts.bochtoyotasouth.com/oem-parts/toyota-1995-2004-toyota-tacoma-handle-outside-6921035020?c=bD0xJm49U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHMmYT10b3lvdGEmbz10YWNvbWEmeT0xOTk5JnQ9c3I1JmU9My00bC12Ni1nYXM=

 

Our door handles also get stiff due to grime and a lack of lubrication. When you gain access to the parts from inside the door panel, I would hit the moving linkage parts with some Superlube in a spray can. I did this to my door handles and they’ve been incredibly smooth operating ever since. Also, be prepared for the new key that comes with the new lock to not work on your unbroken door, as well as not start the truck. Might also want to get an alarm. Keyless entry was a nice side perk to having an alarm installed.

 

I've heard a lot of folks replacing with OEM just to have it fail in a few months. I replaced with a metal one, I don't see it failing anytime soon.

I believe the 2000 ones are different @JKO1998 might have the part link

 

I wouldn’t mess with Oem now that these are available


T1A Metal Upgrade Left Driver and Right Passenger Side Black Exterior Door Handle Pair Replacement for 1995-2004 Tacoma 69220-35020 69210-35020 Metal

$65 Exterior Front Driver & Passenger Door Handle Set, Upgraded Metal, Compatible with 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma - Textured Black - 69220-35020, 69210-35020, 79345, 91318, 79344, 91319, TO1311117, TO131011

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YQBPHS9


as far as I know the handles are the same through the 1st Gen years

 

Hmmm,...metal upgrade eh? can't argue with that not pushing back, but the OEM door handles I've installed are solid. It's good to have options though.

 

all the plastic handles that were under $30 have not lasted a year... especially once it gets cold the plastic gets brittle

 

Yep. The metal ones work a lot better.

 

I can't find the black metal ones in stock. here is an ad for what am looking for. has anyone found these?

$65 Exterior Front Driver & Passenger Door Handle Set, Upgraded Metal, Compatible with 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma - Textured Black - 69220-35020, 69210-35020, 79345, 91318, 79344, 91319, TO1311117, TO131011

Amazon.com: T1A Metal Upgrade Left Driver and Right Passenger Side Black Exterior Door Handle Pair Replacement for 1995-2004 Tacoma 69220-35020 69210-35020 Metal : Automotive

 

My drivers door handle broke earlier this week and I installed the 11.99 Amazon handle yesterday. I would have paid a ton for the metal replacement that is mentioned in this thread, but since those don't seem to be available now, I went the cheap way. I usually want OEM for as many replacement parts as possible, but the mention of them breaking as well lately steered me to install the cheap one and wait for the metal one to become available as a spare when the cheap one eventually breaks.

Install was a breeze, but I had to reuse the gasket from my old one. The new gasket was a harder material and had some flaws where it contacts the door. Other than that, it looks good

 

The unpainted SKPs I mentioned are on rock auto right now. It’s a black plastic outer handle but with metal underneath where the cracks occur.

 

can you take a picture of yours?Not sure which parts are metal underneath. the way mine always breaks is the handle you open with your fingers snaps off.

 

I’m not near my truck but that’s exactly what happens. However, if you grab closer to the actuating arm (near the key hole side), even the cheap ones last pretty long

 

The part that you touch with your fingers are solid metal.

 

so handle where your fingers touch is metal and its black? because the only metal handle I could find in stock were chrome.
is this the right one?
More Information for SKP SK79345 (rockauto.com)

on my passenger door thats how I'm openig it very carefully, but as soon as it freezes at night its going to be game over.

 

I don’t think any of the chrome ones are actually metal, still just plastic.

the T1A metal door handles might be sold out

 

My outer handles kept breaking, metal or plastic. I found out on this forum that removing and thoroughly cleaning and lubricating the latch mechanism will be the remedy (not for your vandalism issue, but for difficult thus breaking handles). I'd suggest that on an older truck like these are, to just take the latch out and clean/lube it while the inner door panel is off and everything is apart. The outer handle comes off with the two bolts and connectors removed, and the latch by a couple more bolts, and the window channel (brilliantly in place with a flexible rubber link holding the metal channel in place for service) easily sliding out of the way. I live 7 miles to pavement, and the latch mechanism looked like a lump of dirt. After cleaning, the plastic $11 ebay handle has worked perfectly, effortlessly, for over two years now. That tip courtesy of whoever answered me back then. ...replacing the new outer handle requires it to be put into place, and slipped down to line everything up. The lock will be what makes putting it back in a bit of a task, but it can be wiggled into place.