Driver grab handle design

[ATestBishop]

Very interesting and thoughtful input, thank you. I wonder if there is any other option for the handle positioning? I thought it was built into the dash on some vehicles...

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[RoysRanger]

I wonder if somwone who has design experience can design a grab handle for the driver side? Doesnt have to be pretty, but functional, yes.

Or maybe everyone can think of designs and throw their idea up and then maybe we could talk our ranger design guys that make tons of cool stuff, american adventure labs, into making a test batch?

I would take one, for sure. I hate trying to get out of the ranger, and even more since i had hernia surgery thursday. I am going to try today but not having a handle to use my arms to lift may make this a painful experience.

Its not particular to the ranger, i havent driven my mazda either. All we take is the wrangler because it has two easy to use driver side grab handles.

As an older guy, I would love a drivers side grab handle. All my F150s had one and I really miss it. I can't believe pulling myself in with the steering wheel or center console is good for the truck. I have a '25 Lariat with running boards and I feel entry would be so much easier with a grab handle

 

[dc73pdsgt]

Im in and would buy one if developed...

 

[CoastieN70]

I'm onboard too...

 

[purdyd]

As a design engineer, the problem I see is the fact there is an airbag and introducing an anchor point that does not break away for the airbag could cause the airbag to not deploy properly. While yes, the EU Rangers have this capability with airbags, it was designed for EU regs, so I would venture the airbags are different and the way they deploy is different. It would be nice to see exactly how the EU version is built and allows the airbags to deploy properly so the US owners could reverse engineer one, but this is a big hurdle and likely not something a reputable aftermarket shop wants to tackle just due to liability alone. I would not want introduce a product into the market that could potentially inhibit the airbag from deploying properly and then be sued after a big car crash resulting in injury or death. I would love to be completely wrong and off base but the Ranger already barely passes with the current side curtain airbag debacle, hence the active recall.

Can it be done? Sure, I think so, if one does not care about the airbag and POTENTIAL risks of modifying the system and is willing to own up to the liability themselves. But I doubt there will be an aftermarket solution you can just buy online. This would have to be a crowdsourced and sharable R&D project where any user accepts the risks and installs themselves.

*Just my thoughts and ramblings, I am not a lawyer of any type, SME on US/EU vehicle regulations or airbags or vehicle safety, and I am also not your dad. Please take the above with the utmost respect as a human being and a hint of humor.

as far as I know the airbag extends into the pillar on the passenger side as well.

and that works with a handle.

it looks like, the airbag kicks off the cover but doesn’t really extend down the pilar very far.

there was this thread on modifying the pillar cover for a different speaker where the airbag was shown.

https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/thre...-pillars-and-wideband-speakers-project.22870/

i suppose liability is always a concern.l although somehow seat cover manufacturers get away with it.

 

[Grey2024 Raptor]

I was trying to source an A pillar cover and handle from various sources of shore for my 2022 Ranger club cab, but all I got were bogus replies and ridiculous prices for an item that seldom would be sold. I know as I owned a small auto wrecking business for 40 years and pillar covers seldom if ever sold. I tried contacting Ford dealers and never received an answer. If a few of us got together with perhaps an Australian dealer perhaps we could make a group purchase for our newer Raptors. inserts can be put into the existing A pillar to bolt the handle in place. What we individuals do to our individual vehicles will probably never be notices by anyone and we are always never liable for our own modifications. Maybe someone knows an Australian that could help us outI live on Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

 

[bigb]

Even a strap over the door like on a Jeep would be nice but I suppose that area is taken up with side curtain air bags.

 

[ThircChildhoodToy]

As an older guy, I would love a drivers side grab handle. All my F150s had one and I really miss it. I can't believe pulling myself in with the steering wheel or center console is good for the truck. I have a '25 Lariat with running boards and I feel entry would be so much easier with a grab handle

Older guy too...given the high placement of the Raptor running boards, I end up standing above the seat. it's hard for me to lower my butt into the seat holding only the steering wheel. Without an A-pillar grab handle, I hold onto the outside of the A-pillar with my left hand and the steering wheel with my right hand to climb down into the seat; and even then, I have to lean on the console to center myself. I had PPF installed on the A-pillar just to protect from wearing through the paint.

 

[dc73pdsgt]

Im in if someone figures out a solution. Would love to have a grab handle....

 

[OxygenMask]

1. Master the "back in then swing your legs in" method. It's easy. I don't even think about it anymore.
2. I'm tall, I already knock off my hat getting in sometimes, a handle on the pillar would totally be in my way. I hate it on the pass side. My full size trucks have much larger door openings....
3. The steering column will wear out quickly using it to pull yourself in. I've had a couple of "large" friends and worn out loose wobbly columns are fact of life for them...

 

[Bear376]

I tried to get the Ionic 41 running boards because they are able to be mounted lower than normal, but for whatever reason, they have not been available for a while. Considering I have a ruptured achilles tendon, getting in and out is a bother. My only thought is to add a fold down step to the running board that could be flipped up and down from the cab. Maybe something could be made to work with using the seat mount to anchor a pull device to.

 

[superj]

I tried to get the Ionic 41 running boards because they are able to be mounted lower than normal, but for whatever reason, they have not been available for a while. Considering I have a ruptured achilles tendon, getting in and out is a bother. My only thought is to add a fold down step to the running board that could be flipped up and down from the cab. Maybe something could be made to work with using the seat mount to anchor a pull device to.

The stock raptor steps are about an inch lower then after market. Maybe 1.5, I cannot remember exactly what it was but it was enough to make them so my wife loves them

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