Before I go hog wild and pig cowrazy tearing into the door panel, the problem seems to be that from the inside when pulling the lever to open the door, it doesn't.

It will open from the outside.

It locks, and unlocks just fine otherwise.

Anybody know what the problem is?

Probably just the little plastic bushing/fastener where it attaches near the back of tyhe door. Just pull off your door panel. It will most likely be pretty obvious once it is off. Good luck

I had that happen to me when I was mucking around with the internals of the door. I had swapped the screw for the window crank with the screw behind the door latch.

The window crank handle screw is slightly longer, and it keeps the inner door latch from opening all the way.

If you've been working on the door since the last time it worked properly, this is definitely something to check.

--DD

Haven't had the panel off for a long time. I had always been working, but just now started to do it. I'll dump the panel, and take a look around.

This has bitten me too... several times. Do this first, 5 minutes or less to check it!

After I got the door latch cleaned with brake cleaner of all that scum for the last 38 years, and got it all put back together, is when I noticed that the top bolt that holds the interior door handle was a bit loose, thus causing it to not have enough throw to fully open the door. Tightened it, and problem solved. I didn't notice it right away, cuz I had the plastic liner pulled up to it at that point in time.

I probably will clean the drivers side now since I got the technique down pat now.

And I thought that I was the only one dumb enough to have done this. Misery loves company.

The one screw that goes into the handle is tapered/funnel shaped and swapping the two around, I would have to have someone to help me to turn those two around, to screw that one up, as they would not be a good fit, which is probably why they are a bit different on purpose.