OP
Happy to hear that!Did the handle swap today, so much better now, especially since I have arthritis in my thumbs and finger tips
Happy to hear that!Did the handle swap today, so much better now, especially since I have arthritis in my thumbs and finger tips
The story is that Jeep flipped the handles on the TJ after too many people complained about tree branches snagging the old style paddles and opening the doors.
Many thanks for this post. I didn't know about the thumb trick to open the doors I just stood awkwardly in the front and used my fingers to pull the door handle one way so then I could pull the door the other way. I always thought this was so stupid and backward. Where is a good location to get new handles? I see them from 153 each on morris 4x4 to 17 each on amazon but don't think I trust the low priced units.
Very welcome! I got my handles off ebay for $46.Many thanks for this post. I didn't know about the thumb trick to open the doors I just stood awkwardly in the front and used my fingers to pull the door handle one way so then I could pull the door the other way. I always thought this was so stupid and backward. Where is a good location to get new handles? I see them from 153 each on morris 4x4 to 17 each on amazon but don't think I trust the low priced units.
I get excellent mileage, because my engine is too small to use any fuelYou've just lost 1 MPG due to wind resistance.
It’s like anything, you get used to it. Grow a set.
Absolutely brilliant. Can't wait to make mine right!So me and the wife needed to replace the TJ's door handles as they were loose, and passenger side was a pain to open. Was hoping we could get them to mount on backwards. We started on the drivers side, and honestly the worst part is just being able to get to everything, which is mainly the handle keepers. Took us about 2 hours to do the drivers side, because we was winging it, and figuring things out. Once we moved to the passenger side, it literally took about 20 minutes. It was so easy to do, no cutting at all. The only modification is bending the arm for the handle. Which you can take completely out, bend it and test it easily. If anyone is looking to fix that abomination stock junk facing the wrong way pair of handles, dont hesitate to do it. All you need is a flathead or two, torques head, and a pair of pliers.
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Make sure and adjust the rod that descends from the latch to the base of the interior door and then ascends above the locking mechanism at the clip that holds it, where the threads are at the end of the rod. Now “get to it” if it makes your balls tingle.Absolutely brilliant. Can't wait to make mine right!
Sorry, JMT, I'm not gonna "get used to it". I'm gonna grow a set and correct this mistake Jeep made on the TJ's.
Someone asked for pictures. I swapped my handles last week and made a few pictures. I removed the doors and worked on a table for better access and viewing. I mounted the rod in my vise with the tab that attaches to the door handle peg parallel to the floor.
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I bent the short arm of the rod parallel with the long side in the vise. Then I bent the short bend at the top of the rod slightly back in the opposite direction from its original bend. You can see how that looked when laid on the door to check fitment.
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The very hardest part of the job was getting the handle clips back in. I had to grind the one that was used closest to the door jamb to allow me to insert it into the slot. Then I used the elongated hole in the door and a screwdriver to push the clip back down into place.
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The other side, I was able to get to with my hand and push it in.
I made a couple picks from arc welding rods to help me release the tabs and pull the cotter pins.
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By the way. Dont break the little tabs the lock the clips into place. I used the flat pick I made to carefully push the tabs out of the way. But I broke one trying to bend it a little for a better hold when I reinstalled it. So, I had to make another to replace it (PITA).
I hope the pics help. I am glad I made this change too. The wife never could figure out how to comfortably open the passenger door until now.
Exact same here. And if all you know is the way of opening them with your thumbs, than you cant imagine what your missing. It blew our minds how much better it is.