Rear doors jamed
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4wd Low
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
Rear doors jamed
When I bought my 2000 Ranger 4x4 extended cab truck, the guy said that it had been ran off the road by his son. He said it only bent the front bumper. I didn't think to check anything else. After I got home with it, I discovered that the back side doors won't open. Handle operates, but I can't pull them open. I don't even know if I have a jack! I'm suppose the frame is bent slightly, as sometimes the passenger door is hard to open. Other than a hydraulic jack and a 2x4 to push both side at once, any ideas on how to open the doors (at least one) so I can get into the back seat area? Thanks.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 137
Likes: 12
I doubt that the doors are "jamed". These doors are famous for having problems with the latch cables which will not activate the top and bottom latches. Sometimes one of the latches will still work but the other latch will not let the door open. You will likely need to finness the door open in order to remove the inside panel so you can trip each latch. I suggest that you start by lifting the handle that does not work. You should see two fine cables that go to the two latches on each door. You want to pull on the cables without damaging them because you will use them again when you repair the damaged outer cable sheath. The molded plastic cable sheath ends break off and can be replaced by aluminum ends for small money. Hopefully the door can be opened by working with the cables. When you get the door open remove the inner panel so you can see the latches and the cables. Google Ford door cable repair or search for this repair on this site.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
The lower latches are prone to siezing from rust, I had this problem with the 04 Ranger we had. It took a lot of work to get the doors open and once I did no amount of lubricant seemed to help so in the end the lower latches were replaced. I had the same problem with the lower latches on my cargo vans and this time I managed to resurrect the latches with a disassembly and cleanup to remove the rust, but that involves grinding out rivets and welding the shell back together, these aren't really designed to come apart.
Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 55
Likes: 23
Not my video, not affiliated, but this will offer a little guidance for the cable repairs.
The repair kits can be had from the parts stores, or cheaper on Amazon if you can wait. You need 4 cables ends per door, 8 total. Thats 2 kits from Advance @ $15 each, so $30 vs $10 on Amazon.
Advance Auto
Am
The repair kits can be had from the parts stores, or cheaper on Amazon if you can wait. You need 4 cables ends per door, 8 total. Thats 2 kits from Advance @ $15 each, so $30 vs $10 on Amazon.
Advance Auto
Am
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berry1234
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
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Nov 19, 2012 01:25 AM
