I've taken the two nuts off of the door handle but then there is a linkage arm and possibly rivets holding everything together at the top. I don't know how to get the ******* apart.

 

Take the door panel off, raise the window fully and with a good light look up inside the door, you will see the linkage, disconnect it and remove fastners holding handle. Reverse to install

I'm not sure, seems like your correct, I will look at mine. I just looked at a door I have and after removing the two nuts you should be able to pull it out while moving it up to clear, might need a little wiggle but it should come right out.

 

no because the linkage arm that goes down into the latch needs taken off or the rivet up at the top might need taken off.

 

Shouldn't be any rivets in there just plastic clips holding it together. What you are describing sounds like a homemade fix.

 

Pull the side without the linkage all the way out then see if you can turn the handle to remove the linkage.

 

Here's what the plastic retaining clips look like. You're probably going to break the clip when you try to remove it. I got new ones at a Ford dealership. Part number is E1DZ-5421952-A. The rod should be attached to the right side part of handle (from outside of truck and left on inside of truck). They can be pretty stubborn to get apart, but once you do, you just kind of lift the handle up and out of the door.

 

Correction, you must remove the linkage from the door latch(lower end) first. there is a plastic clip that needs to be gently pushed to the side then the linkage will pull straight out. You will then be able to pull the handle and linkage out together, remember to put the linkage on the new handle before you install it.I just went out and removed mine to be sure.
See photo in post above, the tab on the right side of the photo is what you will be pushing to the side, use a good light.

 

When I removed my handle, I removed the latch rod from the door handle instead of from the door lock/latch. Might have been easier to remove that way. Also when you put the latch rod back on, I learned to put the plastic clip in first and then put the rod into the clip.

 

Thanks for the photo!

 

I have seen them installed with rivets before....meaning under the outer black plastic piece under the handle itself.

I have had to remove one before and it had rivets, factory or aftermarket PO I do not know.

But it was a simple as doing all the disconnect stuff the others have said and then remove the black plastic outer piece and drill out the rivets while holding up the door handle.

I think I pryed the plastic piece off with a flat tip, no matter if you beat it up cause you replacement handle one will be good.

My replacement handle assembly was a flat face stud/nut on the back side(inside the door) install deal.

FYI be very careful removing the door panel, you do not want to brake the pin mount areas on the back side.

 

To help any more we would have to go on a roadtrip! Mine had no rivets or hole for them so i guess there are different styles but you made the extra step sound pretty straight forward.

How the hell have you been anyway?

 

My road trip would start in Baghdad and I am sure you would be there before me.

I have been and am tired, hot, wore out, sick of wearing 30ish lbs of body armor/flight gear.

R&R is a ways away too, but I an hanging in there. How are you?

HJ over back to the business at hand.....le lol

 

Just got it out! Thank all of you guys. came out just like you said.

 

since you guys were great with the handles do you know how i get the "F150 Custom" decals off of the upper front fenders? painting the truck so stripping everything

 

Well if they were the same as mine (1978). Just take a flat head screwdriver and keep moving it and prying it out a little at a time.