explore broken into, replacing locks??

[posmindset]

my 2002 Ford Explorer, Eddie Bauer, was broken into and the radio was stolen.

They use the screwdriver to unlock the front door under the key slot. no Windows were shattered.

the police officer said that there probably is no damage done to the lock but I had a $290 radio stolen and once to report this to my insurance and see about getting the lock replaced.

the officer said he had heard that you could use a back door handle, which unlike the front door handle does not have a key slot, in replace of the front door handle, making it harder to break in. Is this true?

I never use the actual key slot to open the door. I always used the keychain remote, or the pushbutton unlock code on the door.

Is that possible?

is there anything else I can do outside of buying a car alarm to make my Explorer more secure? Are there any better locks that can be used on the front doors?

thanks for any help.

 

[jvano]

I actually have seen a few Explorers in my area that do not have the key slot on the front door handles. I am pretty sure that back door handles would work on the front.

 

[Willcall]

It should work fine. The only thing is the big IF... Like what if your Keyless battery dies? Maybe you should find away to put a gasket there so that a screw driver cannot be jimmied. That might be a better solution.

 

[jad2411]

There was a member who ordered a left side door handle from overseas, since they have the lock on the right side, I have no clue on wether a rear one would work

 

[posmindset]

It should work fine. The only thing is the big IF... Like what if your Keyless battery dies? Maybe you should find away to put a gasket there so that a screw driver cannot be jimmied. That might be a better solution.

I wonder if there is a better gasket as there was the factory gasket already there (see pic)

 

[not8taxi]

you should go install an alarm and some air horns...so next time they try to break in that thing hits hard and loud...