Driver side A pillar grab handle.

Any pics ?

 

I used a dremel on the square nubs so the handle would sit more flat to the A-pillar trim.

 

Found this post from someone who posted in the T4R.org thread, had done the install and documented their install. It has some very nice photos and some excellent tips:

 

atb?

 

Work? What? Tell Ebenezer to let you go home to your family!!

 

Enjoy your holidays. I am out the door to Harbor Freight to pick up a set of step drill bits...

 

This is what I picked up:

 

i already broke one from using it all the time. cheap replacement but ya know?? lol

 

Ahh yes .. totally forgot about that. Yes I used a dremel wheel and cut them off.

 

So the bottom handle attachment surface needs to be flat, with no raised surface parts?

 

Yes make it flat

 

I made only one hole as per instructions

 

Did you end up getting your bracket and installing the handle yet?

 

I've had most everything for a few days now. I was waiting for a nylon spacer @nm_t4r generously offered to send me from Santa Fe. It just arrived in today's mail, so I have no more excuses to delay this project. I have to work tomorrow, so this looks like a fine project for NYD.

 

Looks good! The black plastic is a bit of a pain in the ass! I used a new utility knife blade and side cutters on the black plastic and took my time.

 

Definitely not cheap, but better that the passenger side!

 

I can't remember who posted this, but someone mentioned using a heat gun to soften up the black plastic, then used a razor knife...they said it made cutting that easier.

The biggest mystery to me, and I've read the instructions several times, is how you locate the bracket in relation to the trim piece hole so you know where to drill/tap into the a-pillar metal for the bracket screws. I guess it will all come clear when I actually do it...

You've got to admire Jason for attempting this first, with no instructions or previous knowledge that it would work!

 

Then you get to trim the back all over again! Now you're an old pro, though...

 

Finally got a decent day to work on this. I don't have a garage, so it's outside, hoping for some warm weather. 50+ degrees today, so took the plunge. I ran out of daylight later on, but still managed to finish...I'll let the photos tell my story:



Completely happy with the results, and wanted to thank all of you who encouraged, gave tips, pointers, parts, links, and instructions. I know this is so useful for entry and exit, but there's another side benefit of this handle - it holds my fancy schmancy sun shield in place on the driver's side, just like the passenger side, now. No more need to tuck it behind the sun visor...

So glad I resurrected this thread last month!

Gary

 

Perfect! Good job!!

 

Thank you, and thanks for the spacer and all the tips!

 

Thank you for sharing this. I have thought about this for a while but did not know it had already been done. I reach for that spot every time I get in my truck! This is a must. Thanks again!

 

No problem. It takes a bit of time, but well worth the effort.

 

LOL I had a very strong motivator - my wife ! so the story goes like this - we went to "test drive" and look at a few 4runners in 2017 and we kinda went late and into the night when we saw them..... we ended up wanting a TRD off road model but that dealership and the others around didn't have another one that wasn't already sold. A different dealership sold us one that was scheduled to come in a month or so later. so we waited.

the day it showed up, my wife "during the day" said, wait there's no handle! i dont want it! i was floored....salesman was floored...lol...

so right then and there, i popped the caps off the passenger side handle and saw the bolts...i then opened the SRS airbag cap on the driver side and saw the bolt..and looked at her and said, i can put one for you! the salesman looked at me like "ya right" but we bought the car and NO JOKE that night, first night of ownership at home i had both a-pillars off and parts on order..... in all honesty her first bracket is trashy looking than what i make and sell no.... lol ie, hers was the prototype! its crude but functional....lol

fun stuff...

i will say, i make parts for other cars, i modify all my cars and work in a manufacturing setting, so it was in my wheel house...

-J

 

if anyone wants to order a bracket, contact me! jasontamu2002 at g mail dot com

 

Welcome to 4runners.com!

 

Thanks!!

-J

 

Just wanted to share this version of the drivers side grab handle. It looks very oem then the one I did few years back.

https://www.ktjo4x4.com/products/co...ver-s-side-grab-handle-w-a-pillar-pre-order-1

the a pillar itself has a raised area identical to the original passenger side

 

The A-pillar trim definitely looks better with the oem handle, but the handle attachment method is a bit sketchy. I'd use the trim cover if it worked with Jason's bracket.

 

KTJO…?
Danger, Will Robinson.