i looked into it. looks helpful. any ideas on how to even get my door open so i can get it started?
It's the classic syndrome of your Door Lock Latch gone bad (the part of the door lock you see on the door when the door is open).
There's a little spring inside of the lock that breaks, and jams up all of the lock work. Ford has NEVER re-designed the latch as it's a cash cow for their parts department ;-)
This is how I've done it:
* Go to FORD, and buy the SIDE SPECIFIC door lock latch for your vehicle - around $50-60.
*Then you have to first roll down the drivers side window (you need to do this to remove the interior door panel).
*Then remove the drivers seat (2 bolts front/2 bolts back) from the passenger side (you need to do this to remove the driver's side interior door panel).
*Then remove the driver's side interior door panel. This is where the first stage of the real fun begins ;-)
*Once you remove the interior door panel - you'll see a long steel rod that goes from the inside door handle to the door lock latch. Grab that steel rod with your hands, and push it back towards the rear of the truck as hard as you can, multiple times - eventually the lock will pop free and the door will open.
*Once the door is open DO NOT SHUT THE DOOR.
*Remove and replace the door lock latch - this is where stage 2 of the fun begins...
There should be a write up of how to do replace the door latch somewhere on the site.
It's hard the first time because 4-5 rods are attached to it, and there is a sequence of assembly order.
BUT when you're finally done, you'll be an expert for when the passenger side goes.
And it will go out - both door lock latches have a .05 spring that breaks inside of them and causes all this hell ;-)
HTH -