Hey all,

So i know its not specific to our rides, but i am looking for an option for a o'**** handle, grab bar, easy up grab point.

I have read a few discussions but still not sure a couple self tapping screws is going to hold being pulled on.

I am also still undesided with the exterior handle on the side of the truck or just above the door jam on the inside.

Can anyone show a photo or give some advice on a good handle or route to go with.

 

I would stay away from mounting a grab handle on the outside of the cab (B pillar) great way to let rust get in there. Now as far as above the door on the inside, lots of options on the web. Just make sure it does not have to much "depth" or stand off distance and then you smack your head when getting in or out.

https://www.austinhardware.com/door-...dl-bld-mt.html



Yes a self tapping s/m screw will last about 2 times the handle is really used. But you can drop your headliner and get access behind there to use a piece of reinforcement plate metal or large washers and reinforce the hole from the back side and use some grade 8 bolt, nut and lock washers.

FTE talk about it. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...handles-3.html

As far as some handle to go on the A pillar like modern trucks...you will need to get a nutsert kit. So a kit with the appropriate size nutserts and the install tool and then you can put some in you A pillar. I got on the ones in the red truck from a fellow FTE member (blue truck) that MADE his and mine (red truck) and they mount up great on the pinch seam for the cab door seal. I was a little worried about the area being weak, but they clamped down nice and tight.


Hit up a JY for lot s of options, 98-02 Dodge Ram have a nice one above the passenger side, Durango, A lot of Ford trucks, cars and even Bronco's.








Now this cabinet pull looks a little light weight to me. Lol But that area is easily accessible to reinforce (steel plate/washers) if you take the glove box out.

 

X2 on the exterior grab handle. On my truck the PO installed them and they offer literally no advantage to helping one get in the truck. Seemingly purely aesthetic as far as I'm concerned and as mentioned above it is an avenue for water intrusion/corrosion. I will remove them if I paint the truck but for the interim, I resealed the mount pads.

 

If you drop the headliner you will find a fair amount of room between the interior cab shell and the outer skin of the cab. I bought a couple of car grab handles the right color on eBay, installed them with normal 1/4" bolts, fender washers, lockwashers, and nylock nuts (belt and suspenders) and they have held fine and look like they grew there. Good excuse to put some new cloth on the headliner and refresh the look of the retaining ring, too. Wife is short and loves the things.

 

Thanks everyone, some good advice and ideas, i really want to stay away from plastics, my grandfather rig had a 70's era plastic handle but im sure it was built from the tar of a dino and the bones of a dodo bird.
Modern plastics just seem to crumble away.

Im on the fence between a leather ish stap or a metal one. Love the photos. Appreciate seeing your much nicer rides.

My ceiling has holes from a previous handle and i think there was a gun rack on the rear of the cab. Wouldn't mind putting that back up either.

Unfortunately local junk yards are not close and get picked over pretty quick.

 

I vote new metal off the web and no worries.
https://www.rochehandle.com/industri...Steel-Handles/

https://www.buyersproducts.com/catal...ab-handles-441
https://www.retracmirrors.com/part/602010

 

That curved metal one looks good with the exposed welds. Beefy. Is this a custom made piece, or can you buy ?
* How do you get to the backside with the attachment hardware?

 

Are you talking about this one? Custom made by a fellow FTE member. Bud Mud https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/member.php?u=735646
He used drive shaft safety loop material. He also made a very similar looking to an OEM style bull bar for his High Boy, he is pretty crafty.

He even included the attachment hdwr. With the door seal off is is easy to pick the placement (high or low) mark, tap and drill. The hdwr is a caradige style (round head) bolt and the square under the head made it grip in the mount plate. I uses chrome acorn nuts to clean it up a bit. And my door seals (off a 90's truck) covers the raw edge.

Looking for better pics of mine.

 

Yes, I like this design. Is he selling them any more?
Thanks

 

That answer is PM away. I got mine from him a long time ago. His last FTE activity was 05-07-2020 give him a shout.

 

Thanks, sent request

 

Something the Wife has asked for .............
................but minimum order is 500

I have looked high and low with no luck.

 

I have them finally hard mounted on ol red, fit like a champ and nice and sturdy. The A pillar pinch seam mount area handles the side load pull (of my 200 lbs) getting in the truck just fine. I can get some better/close up pics later.

 

I really like that seat, nice job

 

Thanks, it came from a SD CC and it is a rear seat.