Replace Jeep Wrangler TJ Door Handle Latch (No Special Tools)

This is often referred to as one of the hardest fix-it jobs on a Jeep Wrangler. It is actually quite simple. And once you've done one side, you can have the second side done in about 15 minutes. This video give you a quick overview of how I replace Jeep Wrangler door handles with no special (i.e. expensive mechanic) tools.
Jeep TJ Passenger Side Handle: amzn.to/3vImGZD
Jeep TJ Driver Side Door Handle: amzn.to/3r6DQga
☯☯☯☯☯ Around the Web ☯☯☯☯☯
If you engage in any activity or project demonstrated in any of our videos, you do so at your own risk. I am what some folks occasionally refer to as a professional.
Any and all items reviewed on this channel are paid for with my own money. I do not feature or review free items.
Need an amazing price on outdoor gear? Hit the link: www.theclymb.co...
Interested in Folklore or the Paranormal?
Check out the mysterious puzzle T-Shirts at Parabox Monthly!
Use the Promo Code HNX10 and get 10% off your order!
Check out the link: www.paraboxmon...
FREE Custom Thumbnails: www.canva.com/...
In the event that B-Roll footage or photographs are used (that I did not personally take), then the following applies:
All footage images used in this video are used legally for criticism, commentary & education, and are protected by the Fair Use Law/Act: Section 107 of the USC:
www.copyright.....
#JeepWrangler #OffRoad #Repair
DISCLAIMER:
Thank you for visiting our KZbin page. The HNX Media KZbin page is intended for informational, educational, and research purposes only.
HNX Media does not warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of the information available on this KZbin page. Nothing contained in or provided through this KZbin page is intended to constitute advice or to serve as a substitute for the advice of any licensed professional (legal, medical, psychological, etc.). Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. We may include links to other web pages, but these links are not an endorsement of those pages. HNX Media is not responsible for the content of any web site not operated by HNX Media. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through links in this video.
If you have actually taken the time to read this far into our disclaimer, I truly hope you have a wonderful day.

[@Drifter-be6oj]

Great video. Love the detail. Something that may help out in tight places like this. The inside of the door isn't really doing anything or holding anything. Use a hole saw on a drill and cut a hole that will give you better access to the pin and clips. Then use a non-hardening gasket sealant and a piece of plastic to cover the hole/holes. In this case, two 1" holes would be all you need. The inside door panel will cover any hole that you have made. Make sure the window is up when you do this. Don't go crazy on the size of the hole and make sure that you are not cutting out any screws or clip mounts. Just an idea. It's your Jeep.

[@HNXMedia]

Nothing I can add to this FANTASTIC comment, so I guess I'll just pin it. Perfect idea!

[@421CentralIowa]

I like how most of the internet complains that this is difficult and you just made it look so simple. Thanks for showing how to do the job right!

[@HNXMedia]

LOL. That is EXACTLY why I made this video. I kept hearing people cry about how hard it was and that "you have to take it to a dealer/mechanic." BS. With a little time and patience, this job is not difficult at all. Thanks for the support and positivity. Hope the fix went well.

[@421CentralIowa]

@@HNXMedia My door handle is showing up today. I just got my Wrangler last week, so I'm undoing 24 years of previous-owner neglect. It'll go great since I have the same card table as you do! Thanks to videos like this, I don't have to go to mechanics unless I want an AC system evacuated and repaired. I think I've got almost everything else covered at this point.

[@dat1elite981]

This video was great, even though all I needed to do was push those shims back into place, this was the only video I could find explaining how to access the door simply and properly. Thanks

[@HNXMedia]

Happy to help.

[@setyourhandle-74]

Wow I put off doing this for a longgg time because I read guys saying it was a huge pain. Looks super simple. Thanks

[@HNXMedia]

Let us know how it turns out. Thanks for watching!

[@setyourhandle-74]

@@HNXMedia done, less than an hour. Nothing to it!

[@setyourhandle-74]

@@HNXMedia done, less than an hour. Nothing to it!

[@HNXMedia]

Nice! That's how we get it done! Stay well and stay safe on the trails!

[@dualmass]

Taking the door off was a great idea, thanks for doing this video, it was simple

[@HNXMedia]

Occasionally I have a good idea. Glad it helped. Stay safe out there.

[@dualmass]

My buddy did his tonight , took the door off!

[@jimguin4737]

Take the door off and lay it flat........ Duh!!!!!! Ok, best ideas ever on this video and comments. I can add only one to it. First off, why is he the only one with the common sense to remove the door and set it on a flat surface. It happens to be January and I wasted 2.5 hours out in the cold last night when I could have just brought it inside where it is bright and warm. Second, the idea of drilling a hole to help with the gator clips was awesome. I drilled a 3/8 hole just above the top of each clip and was able to seat it easily seat and fully. It is below the window so no worries and under the vapor barrier, so are a bunch of other holes. The last tip was from another video, but I used it and it helped immensely. Grind off the the little tang at the top of the gator clip. It just catches the window and serves no purpose. Thank you so much.

[@HNXMedia]

I'm a simple man with simple thoughts and ideas...who doesn't want to work harder than I have to. Glad I could help.

[@christopherblue1935]

Thanks for the video, I didn't need the washer though the old handle didn't have one either, works great

[@HNXMedia]

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Happy Jeeping!

[@rifterj]

Thanks to this video, this was one of the easiest things I've done to my jeep (if you ignore the fact that my door didn't open at all when I started so I had to remove the seats to get the door panel off).

[@HNXMedia]

Excellent! Sounds like your projects start the same way most of my projects start.

[@bctruck]

Always make sure the hole is clean. You never know when company may show up. 👍👍

[@HNXMedia]

If you only have time to clean one thing...well, make sure that's it.

[@zachsmith1492]

This video was very helpful! It was a little harder than expected but with some luck I got it done

[@HNXMedia]

Awesome! Glad the video was helpful and that you got your Wrangler back up and running. Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. Stay well.

[@terremotocom]

Thank you for the video!! So hard to record from the inside but you did it perfectly! Way better than Quadratecs video.

[@HNXMedia]

It was tricky, but as long as the video was helpful it was worth it. Thanks for watching and thanks for the compliment. Safe Jeeping!

[@christine5280]

Great video. The hardest part for me was getting the alligator shims in. My 97 did not have the small access hole like yours did. I made one, though.

[@HNXMedia]

Nice! Jeep drivers always find a way! 🫡

[@AmericanNapster]

Best video I have this for this replacement.

[@HNXMedia]

Thanks! Hope it was helpful and that I was able to show enough angles to help you get the job done. Stay well.

[@BerniesBastelBude]

thank you - that was very helpful! i won't tell how long it took me to finish the job though...

[@HNXMedia]

The most important, key point to your comment: YOU finished the job! That's all that matters. Glad the video was helpful and I hope it saved you some money.

[@rafaelalba0910]

Do You have a tutorial for the inner side of the door!?

[@HNXMedia]

I am sorry, but I do not.

[@Jiglegobles]

Great video and very descriptive. Can't wait to get home and attempt this on my jeep. Thank you!

[@HNXMedia]

Hope it helps.

[@wadehummel-u8r]

Awsome this guy is top notch

[@HNXMedia]

This comment made my day! Thanks for watching and I hope the video was helpful!

[@JEL1953]

Hi, I didn't see your name, but this is a great video and you did a good job of capturing what you did although it is difficult to see all of that stuff in real life. I have done this several times on a variety of Jeeps. The thing that I noticed right off is that your new handle have an improved design. The cam that pushes the plate is much larger, and the plate itself is bigger than the old one which sometimes allowed the cam to slip pass the plate and causes the handle to malfunction. I also don't have those fancy pick tools but I use an extra long Needle Nose plier which is angled 90 degrees near the tip of the jaws. Thanks again!!

[@HNXMedia]

Thanks! Yes, this job is even easier with those long needle-nose pliers. I wish I had a set. I would have used those instead. They are a real game-changer for this particular fix. Hope the video helped out, my friend. Stay safe.

[@wadereinhardt2419]

Nice tutorial. I’ve been trying to get these gator pins in for an hour at this point. Just wondering how you got the pin to place.

[@HNXMedia]

If I recall correctly, I lightly taped them to the end of a screwdriver, kind of wedged them into place, snapped the tape and then used the screwdriver to push them in (seat them) the rest of the way. Real scientific and official like 😎

[@brolim.]

Thanks for the tutorial, i lost the washer can i use some other washer?

[@HNXMedia]

Yes, any similar sized washer should work.

[@brolim.]

@@HNXMedia thank you sir!

[@bingobandit]

I don't have the patience for this kind of stuff, so I just stole the door off my friends TJ, he's now dealing with his handle. I told him be sure to clean his hole, while he was at it.

[@HNXMedia]

Good looking out for his hole. A friend with a dirty hole is highly suspect.

[@bingobandit]

So true! @@HNXMedia

[@thedealioyo]

Thanks for the great attention to detail 👍

[@HNXMedia]

Thank YOU for watching! Hope the video was helpful in getting your Jeep back in working condition. Time to hit the trail!

[@donaldgsweeney]

This was EXCELLENT!

[@HNXMedia]

Nah, this COMMENT was EXCELLENTER!

[@MikeBiddle]

5:09 always clean our around your hole.

[@HNXMedia]

I figured it was sound advice 😎

[@hadenandrolowicz7414]

Both of my TJ handles are kinda faded n rusted… watched this video and I think I can do it myself just sucks it’s a tight space to work in lol but thank you for the tutorial! ✌🏻

[@HNXMedia]

You got this! Thanks for watching.

[@TJsVette]

Question, I have a newer door handle and when I went to pull to open the door the door handle didn't open but instead opened too far and felt like it broke. Idk how to explain it but it will push back into place but the door will not open from the outside. It will open from the inside. Should I just buy a new handle and replace it or can this one be fixed? I'm new to the jeep scene and this is the first one I bought. My buddy says JEEP stands for just empty every pocket so here we go lol

[@HNXMedia]

Yep, just buy a new handle. I have had this happen as well. I cannot remember for sure, but when you get it apart, you will see a small (seemingly insignificant) spring piece that will be broken (likely rusted out or just over-stressed). Had my Jeep 18 years and well over 200,000 miles. Yep, put a couple grand into it over that time (beyond routine maintenance), but NO WHERE near what even 6 months of car payments would have been. That Jeep paid for itself time and again. Only sold it, because getting another 100,000 out of it was unlikely and I am planning a big move soon and knew it would probably not make the trip. Enjoy your Jeep!

[@johnford3761]

Question, what will happen if you leave of the little washer that was under the mechanism rod?

[@HNXMedia]

It should not affect it too much. May not work quite as smooth, but it should not be a major issue.

[@johnford3761]

@@HNXMedia thanks for the reply. Ok, the door was not consistent on opening. I had to use the key in the door and tap on the handle area to get it opened. I’m guessing it’s because that little spring washer is not keeping in in place? I did find it so I’ll be digging into it again to add it back. Wish me luck.

[@HNXMedia]

@@johnford3761 Ugh, sometimes its trial and error, friend. Fingers crossed!

[@issp9733]

How do you get the shims in😭😭

[@HNXMedia]

Needle nose pliers will help if you cannot reach in and line them up with anything else. Then just push them back into place with a screwdriver. Heck, you could probably tape them to the end of a screw driver to get them lined up and then push them into place with a second one. Just some ideas.

[@TomMcdevitt-k6p]

Thank you

[@HNXMedia]

You're welcome. Hope it helped. Safe Jeeping!

[@rickss69]

Much easier to leave the door on the vehicle...no flipping required.

[@HNXMedia]

Whatever works! Thanks for watching and happy Jeeping!

[@masonkenney6452]

I have installed both my door handles one dosnt work at all and one works every like 5 attempts any one got any idea how to fix this?😊

[@untitled5088]

Where'd you get the tools you used in This video

[@HNXMedia]

Everything used in this video is easily available at any hardware or home improvement store.

[@lvlikeyV]

Just bought my first jeep. Mine looks identical to this. Paint color rust and all

[@HNXMedia]

That's "low gloss, vintage metallic accent" - not rust 😎

[@JIMBO85029]

I think I'll leave it as is, everything shouts NIGHTMARE. I'm glad I have soft half doors

[@HNXMedia]

It's really not as bad as it seems. Half doors are awesome!

[@ralphp784]

Great help

[@HNXMedia]

Cool! Stay well. Peace.

[@trainer008]

Awesome Thank you Sir!

[@HNXMedia]

Hope the video was helpful. Happy trails!

[@randywiddis]

Great help...thanks

[@HNXMedia]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. Peace.

[@tedwoe]

Great video, very helpful, but I wish you would've gone into a little more detail about how to get those shims back in, how to get them locked down into place, and how to get the cotter pin back into place. This turned into a 3 1/2 hr. job AND apparently something is wrong because now the lock won't unlock with the key. (Saw a vid on here of a similar problem happening to another person, so now I've gotta track that one down.) Couldn't remove the door from the hinges either, so had to do all the work in fear of dropping all the tiny essential parts down inside the door. No wonder mechanics charge $90/hr !!! Cars are a pain in the ass!!!

[@HNXMedia]

Sounds like you got it under control, but dang, having to keep the door on the vehicle makes this SUPER HARD. Best of luck!

[@davidpautz2892]

Anyone know if thats an OEM handle or aftermarket? Trying to decide which to get OEM is 4 times the cost.

[@bobeallen4741]

Always clean out the hole 😂😂

[@HNXMedia]

I think that is solid life advice 😉

[@bobeallen4741]

@@HNXMedia definitely 😂

[@jackbnmbl7]

I guess I see how to replace the handle but not the latch. ???

[@saltyshellback]

Yes! Always clean around your hole 😄

[@HNXMedia]

Cleanliness is next to Godliness...or so they tell me.

[@HarshmanHills]

Little piece of "useless" knowledge that can save you a ton of time and money

[@HNXMedia]

It's funny how many places on the web say that this is one of the hardest jobs you can try to do on a Jeep. Even with filming , the first side only took an hour and the second side about 20 minutes.

[@coleturner2160]

Thanks for skipping the most difficult part… no help

[@HNXMedia]

Which part?

[@spymaine89]

you did show us. but your method is impossible. we need to come in from inside opening , use needle nose pliers. to get in cotter pin......then push tooth retainers in from bottom... . if it vibrates and falls out. do over...........drill screw holes from outside into door steel. . that is the way done on commercial trucks.

[@HNXMedia]

But it's not impossible, because I did it.

[@brynecreekmore3570]

One shim goes up one goes down when installing. Not as easy as this looks.

[@HNXMedia]

Both shims should "point" down (i.e narrow end points towards bottom of the door. If not they have the "potential" to work loose and fall out. Serrated edge goes "inbound" (i.e. facing towards interior of jeep).