Front "grab handles" on the A pillar.

[Dansvan]

Does anyone know or have access to the part numbers for the right and left grab handles and trim that the newer vans have? The ones that the driver and passanger can grab onto? Any idea if they can be retro'd back to 2000? My wife would be forever gratefull. (dealer has no time for this, I tried) Thanks all!

[HeyBob]

As I remember someone asked that question several years ago. At the time there were two FOMOCO guys hanging here and the answer was NO!

Reason being the pillar is reinforced, has the mounting holes in it and if you try and retrofit one you most likely will crack the windshield the first time you put a lot of weight on the handle. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

[astr]

A couple of years ago I wanted to add the passenger side grab handle to my '98 E350. I went to the dealer and ordered the handle and A-pillar trim piece from a newer year. If I remember correctly, I installed the trim piece, marked the holes on the A-pillar through the holes molded into the trim piece. I then drilled the holes in the A-pillar and installed nut-serts (threaded inserts that install similar to pop rivets). I put the trim piece back on and installed the grab handle. It has worked great and looks just like stock. I unfortunately don't have any P/N's and I don't remember what year of van I that the handle came from. I may have had to add a shim between the A-pillar and the trim piece, otherwise, as you tightened the grab handle mounting screws, the trim piece would deflect too much.

Hope this helps.

[Alaskapsdvan]

Ok,, here goes.

About 18 months ago I picked up a door handle, from think it was NAPA.. the handle was one of the ones that has the holes at the ends, and the rubber or leather like stuff in the middle. Some might call it a grab handle from a 70's car.
Then I got some rubber/brass parts from a hardware store.
Removed the cover for the passenger piller, found a spot that I could put the rubber/brass parts, did a little drilling. Marked the spots on the cover to take out for the grab handle, put the cover back on, then put the grab handle on.
I should take some photos of the finished piller and handle.... but the ladies have been using it now for some time, and no problems.
any questions just drop a pm.. and I will try and answer them.

[bork]

I just got a 99 e350 and no handle on either side . A must for wife on pass side. Went to junk yard and found a van with one, removed it and plastic trim since it is different. The two bolts holding on handle are small ( 1/4" fine thread or smaller, I'll have to confirm). There is a little backing reinforcement in pillar with two spot welds on both sides of hole to hold plate and nut. My van has no holes or backing . Sooo I think I can make up little plates (approx 3/4" x 2" x 1/8"thick) and weld on one nut in center of each. Then drill a big enough hole in pillar at proper location for nut under plate) to set down into and rivet plate with two heavy SS pop rivets. That way stress is spread out at four points and shouldn't crack windshield due to stress. The only problem is, the plate is on top of pillar and may make plastice trim stick out a little (1/8"). We 'll see as soon as I can do it and I'll let you all know.

[Dansvan]

Would "nut-serts" work?

[bork]

Nut-serts would probably work but as Bob said , he recalled someone cracked their windshield.(Too much strain in two holes in A-pillar?) May or may not but I am gonna try to spread out pressure/force/strain like the factory did. And I'm sure someone could slip a reinforcement down behind in hollow spot but would require creativity , $$ , and welding to do this .

[Dansvan]

Let us know how it turns out.