- Location
- Duck River
After reading in another thread that I’m likely damaging steering column components by repeatedly lifting my carcass into my Jeep by the steering wheel, I decided to install some grab handles on the a-pillars. After much searching on line and mulling the options I wound up buying the set shown in the images below. Austin Hardware and Supply had the best price on them that I could find.
My plan initially was to drill through the plastic trim and secure the handles to the pillars with spacers. But when I realized how substantial the gap actually is between the trim and the steel, I decided against that plan because I didn’t want the spacers to act as levers twisting against the pillar every time weight is applied, and likely ripping out the rivnuts eventually. So I decided instead to cut through the trim and secure the handles directly to the steel for maximum structural integrity. Making it look good was a lot of work, but I’m pleased with the result and figured I’d show it off. If anyone wants a more detailed write up I’ll be glad to post one, but I think the pictures pretty much tell the tale.
My plan initially was to drill through the plastic trim and secure the handles to the pillars with spacers. But when I realized how substantial the gap actually is between the trim and the steel, I decided against that plan because I didn’t want the spacers to act as levers twisting against the pillar every time weight is applied, and likely ripping out the rivnuts eventually. So I decided instead to cut through the trim and secure the handles directly to the steel for maximum structural integrity. Making it look good was a lot of work, but I’m pleased with the result and figured I’d show it off. If anyone wants a more detailed write up I’ll be glad to post one, but I think the pictures pretty much tell the tale.
