Another thread where this escapade got started and I was looking for solid metal exterior handles >>> https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...r-handles.html

This thread shares some details of the new handle installation, but NOT with the $500 solid billet handles... instead, with a complete set of 4 new plastic handles from 1A-Auto for my keyless entry setup.... for only $54.

The new handles from 1A-Auto were listed as NOT fitting doors with keyless entry, but that IS NOT TRUE.... they fit and perform exactly as they should!
https://www.1aauto.com/ford-exterior...836&y=2002

There are a number of videos posted about how to swap out these handles, but I ran into a few minor things which were not mentioned in any of the videos I watched before doing the R&R, and that is the entire purpose of this thread... not to regurgitate what's already out there, but just to add a few details which would be good to know before digging in on this task for the first time. Those of you who have done the handles before really won;t learn anything new here, except for perhaps the upgraded metal tab on the 1AA handles which were not on the original equipment. Ford has, since back then, upgraded their handle format to include this tab as well.

I'm putting the PDF together with the details now, so if you don;t see the PDF attachment when you read this, check back in a little while and it will be here.