I've been noticing more and more Super Dutys with driver side pillar grab-handles. My dads loaded 2002 F250 XLT doesn't have one on the drivers side, only the passenger.

Is what I'm seeing people adding them in or is that a factory option? I had always thought that they didn't put grab handles on the driver sides because the factory's figure that you are supposed to have "2 hands on the wheel"?

Thanks

 

My '03 F250 came with both passenger and driver's side handles and it's an el-cheapo-muy-grande XL truck.

 

the drivers side handles started in '03. the handle is to help the verticaly challenged get into the truck.

 

Mine is factory! And I am glad they are there! It's a help to hoist my butt up into the seat. I am 6'0" tall and still the seat's a bit above the butt-line. My wife's a short lady and she thinks it's great, too.

As for keeping both hands on the steering wheel, what does that have to do with getting into the vehicle? That's what they are for. They aren't for hard cornering or stuff like that.

 

6' 3" and I use it to get in the seat as well, this truck is taller than I am used to. I hate using the step boards, always have, but with this truck you have too. But I am not complaining.

 

01's had them, 02's don't, 03's do.

 

I just bought a 2002 and the previous owner put one in because he said he was so short. He said it was really easy. He was hot.

 

my '01 does not have one, and i have never seen one that did

 

likely ford added them due to excessive warranty claims for bad steering columns....all us "vertically challenged" people use the steering wheel.....wait, i have a handle

 

So, can a drivers side handle be installed in a 02' SD if you do not have one?

 

2FiDDy, that was my next question. Is it just drilling through the pillar to some good metal or what?

I don't use them, but my dad is like 250lbs and needs something to get into the truck, LOL.

Bruuuuce, I know, for some reason on these trucks you do need to use the runningboards.. that's funny because I've gotten in just as tall trucks that have running boards but I don't use them. I think its the slanted roofline that makes you duck everytime you get into the Super Duty.

 

It can be done Abendx did it to his theres a post in here somewhere about it just to lazy to find it

 

Really? I test drove an 01 and ordered an 02 and the 01 had them, when I got my 02 I was disappointed.

From what I remember from previous posts the holes to mount them are already there underneath the plastic moulding.

 

If the monnts are already there, Would I need to replace the plastic pillar or just drill holes and mount the new handle?

 

No driver's side handle on my O1 either.

Don "Hammer" Moody