A vehicle door handle assembly, comprising: a door handle having opposite first and second ends, the first end including a handle leg connectable to a bellcrank; a door handle end-cap; a slide-lock cassette supporting the bellcrank; and a frame mounting the door handle and the door handle end-cap. The frame is securable to a vehicle door and defines an opening receiving the slide-lock cassette therein. The opening is dimensioned to permit sliding movement of the slide-lock cassette therein. The slide-lock cassette is slidingly moveable relative to the frame between a first position, in which the handle leg is not connected to the bellcrank and the door handle end cap is not secured in place relative to the frame, and a second position, in which the handle leg is connected to the bellcrank and the door handle end-cap is captured by the slide-lock cassette against removal from the frame.