Can door handles be interchanged?

[Sleptinacoffin]

My 2004 tahoe was broken into when I let my mom drive it. They only took her purse and not the truck. They left a deep cut in the keyhole of the drivers side handle. I want to know if I can easily install a passenger side door handle to the drivers side to prevent people from just messing with the lock and breaking in.

 

[B-train]

I don't believe they are interchangeable. The mounting will be different side to side due to the shape of the handle. They are cheap enough, I'd just put the correct one in and then everything will work properly

 

[Sleptinacoffin]

I don't believe they are interchangeable. The mounting will be different side to side due to the shape of the handle. They are cheap enough, I'd just put the correct one in and then everything will work properly

Yes but the reason I dont want to put the correct one is because I do not want a keyhole. The keyhole leaves me vulnerable to getting broken in.

 

[B-train]

Maybe the rear door on the same side would be interchangeable? No key hole there. Been a few years since I had that body, but others may chime in who have that style

 

[OR VietVet]

If it is even possible, you would need to see if the driver's side rear handle would transfer or bolt in. I have never been asked that before.

 

[OR VietVet]

If you do disable for the key tumbler, you better have extra key fobs, in case.

Plus, on the driver's door handle assembly there are two rod/linkage attachments, one for the latch and one for the key tumbler. The driver's side rear may be set up differently because it is only set up for the latch rod/linkage and therefore the handle assembly may not attach the same way and would not work. Just a guess.

 

[S33k3r]

The vulnerability still may exist, assuming you want to open the door from the inside. Placing a plastic cover there means they only need to break through that to open the door. I've had 4-5 attempts, AT MY HOUSE!!! -- so all mine have an alarm on them, with GPS.

Almost forgot: if they can't get through the door lock, they can just go through the window.

 

[B-train]

Agreed with @S33k3r A handle is way easier to fix than a window. Just accept it and move on with the new, correct one. Plus, what happens when your fob dies on a trip, or during crappy weather, and you don't have a new battery readily available? I always like having a backup option

 

[S33k3r]

 

[Tonyrodz]

If only we could do that.

 

[Doubeleive]

My 2004 tahoe was broken into when I let my mom drive it. They only took her purse and not the truck. They left a deep cut in the keyhole of the drivers side handle. I want to know if I can easily install a passenger side door handle to the drivers side to prevent people from just messing with the lock and breaking in.

replace the handle and do not leave things in plain sight, that's why they broke in.
if they do not see something inside to take then they are likely to just move on to the next guy.

 

[Tonyrodz]

If only we could do that.

That also would be a good business--disposing all of the dirtbag's carcasses.

 

[S33k3r]

"Construction company"

 

[B-train]

That also would be a good business--disposing all of the dirtbag's carcasses.

Or a pig farm....

 

[Tonyrodz]

Or a pig farm....

No, no. I like bacon too much to pollute the pork.

 

[S33k3r]

That also would be a good business--disposing all of the dirtbag's carcasses.

Disposing of bodies is always a good business, until you get caught. But if you wanted training, I bet there would be some people in Chicago who would be willing to oblige. Unless they were training someone else at the time...

 

[S33k3r]

If you are wanting to protect your locks, this might help too: https://jimmijammer.com/

Finally, you could always add door locks back -- they are surprisingly cheap -- but not connect them to anything. This seems to have confused the hell out of the last thief to go after my truck. Unintentionally, of course. I just put the door lock in to fill the hole.

 

[Tonyrodz]

If you are wanting to protect your locks, this might help too: https://jimmijammer.com/

Finally, you could always add door locks back -- they are surprisingly cheap -- but not connect them to anything. This seems to have confused the hell out of the last thief to go after my truck. Unintentionally, of course. I just put the door lock in to fill the hole.

I installed those jimmy jammerz on my Tahoe. Fortunately they've never been tested. Hopefully they never will.

 

[B-train]

Disposing of bodies is always a good business, until you get caught. But if you wanted training, I bet there would be some people in Chicago who would be willing to oblige. Unless they were training someone else at the time...

It's my dream job - Dirt Bag Disposal Service. There would be no shortage of work for sure

Don't take this verbatim......LOL

 

[ivin74]

My 2004 tahoe was broken into when I let my mom drive it. They only took her purse and not the truck. They left a deep cut in the keyhole of the drivers side handle. I want to know if I can easily install a passenger side door handle to the drivers side to prevent people from just messing with the lock and breaking in.

I did that to my yukon several years ago and has been like than since. Don't recall if I had to modify the rear handle.