02 Fender Front Passenger Grab Handle

[land864]

Having upgraded from an 04 TD5 Discovery ;) the house manager finds it a bit difficult at times to climb on up into the Fender.
We do have the grab handle at the side of the dash but is it possible to fit an overhead grab handle just inside , over the passenger door .

Pete

[Tombie]

It has been done.
However, I wouldnt, the roof structure really isnt up to it.

Fit some slider / steps for the bride :cool:

[5teve]

I was just about to do this...

Mike why do you say it isnt up to it? the same channel structure runs from front to rear and the handles are just self tapped into the side of the channel with 2 screws per side.. is there something i'm missing? i was looking at doing it as Rach has trouble getting in being vertically challenged... seemed fairly easy.. as i have all the headlining out at the moment... trying to find my leak...

i'll be sound / heat inslating the roof panels while it out too :)

I think the only reason they dont fit them is that where they would go is a possible head strike area...

Thanks

Steve

[Tombie]

If you fitted a backing plate in there to spread the load they would last OK.
But screwing them in and swinging on them will soon rip the screw in type loose.

And yes, head strike risk is there too...

I'd seriously look at the slider/step option first... Protection and benefit and the step often helps those vertically challenged more than a handle as it allows them to use leg muscles rather than upper body.

[5teve]

Thanks Mike

I Do have the side steps too :)

She is very vertically challenged... i think actually she wanted them more to hold onto when the going got a bit bumpy... as we hit a dune a bit harshly once and she nearly hit her head on the dash... only nearly tho.. she was taking a photo at the time which turned out a little... errm.. artistic!

The 4 that are in the deefer (2 in the rear and 2 at the sides of the rear seats) are the screw in type with no back plates and they are factory fitted.. i think thats why they use 4 screws in each... I'll have a proper check tho and see if there is anything different about it at the font..

Steve

[Gav110]

Guys, I know welding alum is not straight forward but why couldn't some handles be welded on (with cut out for the refitting of trim)? Happy to be told it's not possible/dumb, but I'm with 5teve - need something for a vertically challenged wife !

5teve, maybe we should just have avoided marrying dwarves ! ;)

Seriously though, anyone know if this is a feasible option, or another?

[Mulgo]

Have done it a few times.

No welding though. Backing plate with rivnut/nutsert is how I do it.

There is however quite a bit of work involved as you have to take down the front inner lining, which also means some of the side trim has to be taken out.

Cheers,
Daniel