Shaved doors

I bought a 2001 Ranger XLT in November that the previous owner had done some fooling around with. Some of the work done involved removing the exterior door handles, fairing the openings in with bodyfiller, and installing a solenoid switch to allow electric door opening of the driver's door. The passenger door does not have a solenoid and can be opened only from the inside. I bought the truck because it was what I was looking for, the price was right, and I thought I might be able to live with the doors...

During the winter, cold temperatures had a negative effect on the bodywork, and the filler in both door openings has developed cracks. As well, the whole system has proven to be a bit of a pain and I'd love to have the doors returned to their original condition. The driver's door opened pretty reliably during the winter, but now that the weather is warm things aren't working all that great. On a sunny day when the door is nice and toasty warm, it can take four or five tries to get the sucker open.

Does anyone out there know anything about these installations? When work like this is done, are the internal workings of the doors left in place? How much modification might have been required to install the solenoid? I'm wondering if I can go to a bodyshop and have conventional handles re-installed.

Thanks, and regards;

VerneB

well i had a truck with shaved handles before and ur right they can be a pain sometimes... try to get a spring loaded popper for the jam if it already doesnt have one .. this wil make it so that when u press the button it pops the door right out, unfourtunatle i dint have those. or also try this/ as ur pressing the button lean on the door right near the latch and then let go before u release the button that might help a bit. also u should get new selonoid kit if u plan on keeping them shaved .. i would.
as for the cracks just sand it and fill in the cracks with some fiberglass.
the selinoid could be on its way out but buy a new kit .. there not too expensive.. hope this helps

i have a 96 ford ranger with shaved doors i have a spring on the door so when i push the button it pushes it open but i was wonderig if any one about that stupid dinging that tells you that your door is open i cant get it to stop even if the door is closed? i was wondering if any one knows how to disconnect it with out messing up the solenoid. and what does it look like and where is it located?