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The easiest way to find out is to pull the cover off the pillar. There are only 3 or 4 snap clips down the center. You can peek under there to see if the mounts are there without having to fully remove it.
The easiest way to find out is to pull the cover off the pillar. There are only 3 or 4 snap clips down the center. You can peek under there to see if the mounts are there without having to fully remove it.
I have a triple pillar gauge pod with "real" analog gauges from 20 years ago vintage, wired with ridiculously thick wires with even thicker insulation (overkill), all of which is barely retained by the rivets I had to use on the original trim to keep the springy mass from bursting off the pillar. There is no way I'm pulling my cover off until I know that I'm not putting the gauges back there, and have new handle in hand to install instead.
While I have seen how early 2002 and up USA models were built, and know how early 2000 and down USA models were built... what I don't know is how late 2000 through 2001 models were built, and my own truck falls into that in between category. I've seen where 2002 Excursions have the old style handles, even while 2002 trucks have the new style handles. The captured square mounting nuts that retain the handles are spaced apart differently between the two handle styles.
I was able to install a passenger grab handle on the driver side with some work. I made a strip of aluminum and riveted nutplates. Then drilled holes in a-pillar. I carefully sketched cutouts on the driver pillar plastic and cut those out. Then mounted. Looks factory. Very useful for me when getting in and out. Driver grab handle custom install
hey brother would you mind elaborating on how you did this...? I have a couple questions... do u need to buy a 2003 pillar cover or can u use the current one and just make holes through it...? Second question, can you just purchase the passenger side grab handle of my 01 and just reverse it to fit on the drivers side? In my head it seems simple but I want to be 100 on it... thanks man
I find myself wanting to grab the steering wheel getting in and I don't want to make that a habit. Were our trucks offered a grab handle on the driver side? If not, has anyone added one?
im going to try and come up w a custom fit and put it on YouTube it seems there is a ton of folks having the same issue. What I’m going to do is purchase an 01 passenger side grab handle and reverse it to fit the drivers side... then drill holes through the drivers side pillar(if that’s possible) if not you’ll need to get I’m guessing an 03 drivers side pillar cover or just use a dremel so that’s one less thing to try and locate. Once I get the measurements correct drill holes into the metal and use bolts to fasten it down.... I’m going for simplicity and strength... ifnyall have any other suggestions please don’t be afraid to share, thanks!
Your are going to need something for the bolts to grab, the sheet metal is not going to be strong enough. I think you need some sort of captured nut welded to the a pillar for 99-02 trucks
im going to try and come up w a custom fit and put it on YouTube it seems there is a ton of folks having the same issue. What I’m going to do is purchase an 01 passenger side grab handle and reverse it to fit the drivers side... then drill holes through the drivers side pillar(if that’s possible) if not you’ll need to get I’m guessing an 03 drivers side pillar cover or just use a dremel so that’s one less thing to try and locate. Once I get the measurements correct drill holes into the metal and use bolts to fasten it down.... I’m going for simplicity and strength... ifnyall have any other suggestions please don’t be afraid to share, thanks!
I would be very interested in this YouTube video. My wife can hardly climb into the truck now when she has to drive and I want to put a mild lift on it. Please make sure to include part numbers if you can.
If I remember correctly my 2001 that did not have a driver's side handle either had the clips in place or the spots for the clips and I simply drilled holes and installed the clips. I would have to pull the trim off to look at it to know for sure but it was a simple deal to add the handle from a donor truck with the driver's side handle.
From what I have been told, and what I have seen so far, the trucks with twin handles were built in kentucky, passenger handle built elsewhere. Both my superdutys have kentucky windshield stickers and two handles.
Yeah I'm not saying that as gospel, just what I was told, and from what I have noticed from work, all the ones I have seen with two handles have kentucky stickers. But you can also buy them stickers online as well. Im probably wrong, just what I have noticed. My wife's expedition has two handles and no sticker.
Your are going to need something for the bolts to grab, the sheet metal is not going to be strong enough. I think you need some sort of captured nut welded to the a pillar for 99-02 trucks
I wonder if rivet nuts would be strong enough. I'm considering doing this. I guess if it isn't strong enough, you could always weld nuts to the pillar stamping. The holes would help locate the nuts in that case.
Just use clips, something similar to a fender clip.
That would work if you just wanted to add the grab handle for decoration. If you actually wanted to use it you need to bolt it to the pillar otherwise you will pull the cover/handle off the first time you used it.
11-19-2018, 08:42 AM
