M-1078 Door Handles/ Interesting Topic?

[Lugnuts]

So I need door handles but I really am having trouble paying prices close to $200 for one.
I really would like handles that do not have a lock or pot metal.
The end statement is this. Has anybody come up with better door handles at a lesser price.

 

[Mullaney]

So I need door handles but I really am having trouble paying prices close to $200 for one.
I really would like handles that do not have a lock or pot metal.
The end statement is this. Has anybody come up with better door handles at a lesser price.

.
Yes. Go to the "HELP" section of your local parts house and pick up a pair of handles and install them.

@chucky used that idea and it worked really well.

What have you done to your FMTV or LMTV today

Wiring. https://youtube.com/shorts/RCB5WYtgYiw?feature=share …did you find that white wire???

steelsoldiers.com

 

[Ronmar]

I fit toyota tacoma/4runner handles without too much modification.

 

[Lugnuts]

.
Yes. Go to the "HELP" section of your local parts house and pick up a pair of handles and install them.

@chucky used that idea and it worked really well.

What have you done to your FMTV or LMTV today

Wiring. https://youtube.com/shorts/RCB5WYtgYiw?feature=share …did you find that white wire???

steelsoldiers.com

Can it be that simple or am I going snipe hunting? LOL

 

[Lugnuts]

I fit toyota tacoma/4runner handles without too much modification.

Do you recall what years??

 

[Keith Knight]

What door handles are you talking about inside or outside?

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Lots of guys have upgraded to the A1R style Trimark paddle handles. There's videos covering the topic on youtube. They are essentially mildly customized RV door handles. They aren't particularly that much cheaper than the older style but they are stronger and they look the part.

 

[chucky]

I think hes looking for outside door handles and i didnt have to replace mine but if hes refering to the interior handles i got mine on amazon and Mack truck interior handles are the same spline size as these trucks

 

[Lugnuts]

What door handles are you talking about inside or outside?

Outside

 

[Lugnuts]

Lots of guys have upgraded to the A1R style Trimark paddle handles. There's videos covering the topic on youtube. They are essentially mildly customized RV door handles. They aren't particularly that much cheaper than the older style but they are stronger and they look the part.

Thank you. Watched the video and that definitely is an alternative.

 

[Ronmar]

Do you recall what years??

95-04 4runner or tacoma. I have been running toyotas since mid 80’s and have never broken a handle. Currently running 5 with these vintage handles(6 if you count the LMtV) in my immediate fam without issue.

tons of these in junkyards as there are lots of these toys out there and the handles don't break

paid $10 each when I got the set for my truck. You will have to make adapters for the thin rods on the LMTV or upsize to larger size rods that will use conventional end bushing locks.

you can see one in the beginning of this video…

 

[Lugnuts]

Thank you once again sir!!!

 

[coachgeo]

Thank you once again sir!!!

IMHO best choice (which was not available when the above folks were doing their handle fixes)..... is our member here that makes Eco Hubs. He now make/sells machined replacement parts for the two parts that make up 99% of the handle failures. Least costly when you come down to it as well.

 

[Ronmar]

Thank you once again sir!!!

I should have mentioned thats a rear handle, those have no locks and fit with only a little door skin modification and of course fabricating a back side bracket that sandwiches the door skin when bolted to the back of the handle. the front handles have locks and are ~1/2" longer. I did the door mods with a Dremel tool and fiber cutoff wheels(wear glasses/face shield). ~maybe 10-15 minutes to prep the door to fit the handle, you need to relieve the corners of the opening to fit the new handle.

 

[Third From Texas]

There are several options out there. The handles in the A1R have no issues, so I'd lean towards following the same conclusions BAE made and go with Trimarks.

What shouldn't be an option is paying some surplus scalper $200 ea for the same A0 OEM crapola that will break. Again, and again, and again. Contrary to what some on FB say (that it's user error and you should "pull on a handle") the OEM handles are junk.

 

[Keith Knight]

I spoke with someone that knows all the guys that are selling the original door handles. Turns out they are not surplus but being made in china for them.

 

[Ronmar]

I spoke with someone that knows all the guys that are selling the original door handles. Turns out they are not surplus but being made in china for them.

Selling for $200 a set

 

[Third From Texas]

I spoke with someone that knows all the guys that are selling the original door handles. Turns out they are not surplus but being made in china for them.

So, "quality" China knockoffs for $200 ea.

I'll maintain my original recommendation...

 

[Lostchain]

So, "quality" China knockoffs for $200 ea.

I'll maintain my original recommendation...

Remember folks, in China, RnD stands for Receive and Duplicate!

 

[Lugnuts]

I used the Toyota 95 - 04 Forerunners as was stated by RonMar and found them to be a very good choice. If you use the stock door locks the you will have to turn the handle upside down. I went back and watched the video that was presented before and saw that a Trimar latch was used and it appear that it had a downward motion to open it as opposed to an upward motion which would change which left or right handle you would use. Modification to the door and the handle was required and 2 brackets needed to be made to hold the handle on the inside of the door. The linkage on the door handle accommodated a 3/16 " rod whereas the stock latch uses 1/8" rod. This was easy enough to overcome with a lathe and sanding disk. Thank you all. Thank you for the videos RonMar.
By the way, the plastic handles operate so much smother and effortlessly.