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Old 08-21-2013, 10:09 AM   #1
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Grab bar placement

Tried a search as I think I've seen this before. Looking to install two handles on the passenger side 94 e250. One over the door, the other on the slant (forgot what it's called) between door and windshield. Don't want to drill completely through to daylight! Any suggestions as to how to do this?

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Old 08-21-2013, 03:48 PM   #2
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Re: Grab bar placement

On the windshield pillar remove the plastic trim - you may find mounting hole already there. If so, visit a wrecking yard and get a grab handle and trim from an upscale van.

Mike
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Old 08-21-2013, 07:12 PM   #3
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Re: Grab bar placement

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350
On the windshield pillar remove the plastic trim - you may find mounting hole already there. If so, visit a wrecking yard and get a grab handle and trim from an upscale van.

Mike
I'm curious about this, too. I have a 1998 and wouldn't mind a grab handle or two on the passenger side.

I don't think it has to do with "upscale" vans, but rather what year it is. I believe Ford started putting grab handles on the E-vans in the early 2000s. I've seen them on 2004 vans, for example.
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Old 08-21-2013, 08:11 PM   #4
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Re: Grab bar placement

My 95 has an aftermarket chrome one added. Holler if you'd like a pic.

I think it's called the A-pillar BTW.
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Old 08-21-2013, 08:40 PM   #5
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Re: Grab bar placement

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350
On the windshield pillar remove the plastic trim - you may find mounting hole already there. If so, visit a wrecking yard and get a grab handle and trim from an upscale van.

Mike
I purchased a couple of handles from SMB and thought I'd try to tackle it but don't know how to remove the trim on the A-pillar (tks 86scotty) w/out breaking the clips.
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Old 08-21-2013, 08:47 PM   #6
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Re: Grab bar placement

Quote:
I purchased a couple of handles from SMB and thought I'd try to tackle it but don't know how to remove the trim on the A-pillar (tks 86scotty) w/out breaking the clips.
Just carefully pry the trim piece away from the "A" pillar. Comes right off. I've had mine off and on several times.
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Old 08-21-2013, 10:05 PM   #7
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Re: Grab bar placement

Thanks WVvan- I'll give it a go. Did you ever notice mounting holes present?
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Old 08-22-2013, 06:56 AM   #8
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Re: Grab bar placement

Quote:
Originally Posted by WVvan
Quote:
I purchased a couple of handles from SMB and thought I'd try to tackle it but don't know how to remove the trim on the A-pillar (tks 86scotty) w/out breaking the clips.
Just carefully pry the trim piece away from the "A" pillar. Comes right off. I've had mine off and on several times.
^^^ What WVvan said. I've pulled mine off a bunch of times. There are just press-fit metal clips that go into the A-pillar. In the picture below, taken while I was redoing my headliner, you can see the driver's side A-pillar and the oval-ish slot where the trim clips into.

I don't recall there being any mounting holes for grab handles. I think I looked when I had the trim off. That being said, no reason you couldn't drill into the A-pillar. As you can see, it's a boxed channel, so the chances of drilling through to the outside are pretty slim, as long as you are careful.

What I'm curious about is whether the newer A-pillar trim, with grab handles, can be retrofitted to older vans. My dad has a 2011 E150, maybe one of these days I'll take his trim off and see if it fits mine 98.

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Old 08-22-2013, 07:12 AM   #9
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Re: Grab bar placement

I've got a 98 like Brian and found that I did not have threaded holes in the A-pillar for the grab handles. I was able to use riv-nuts to add the threaded holes I needed to mount the newer style grab bars and A-pillar trim. It fit and matched well except for a small gap at the top where it meets the headliner. If I remember I will post a pic later.

Robert
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Old 08-22-2013, 07:35 AM   #10
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Re: Grab bar placement

Quote:
Originally Posted by wingate
I've got a 98 like Brian and found that I did not have threaded holes in the A-pillar for the grab handles. I was able to use riv-nuts to add the threaded holes I needed to mount the newer style grab bars and A-pillar trim. It fit and matched well except for a small gap at the top where it meets the headliner. If I remember I will post a pic later.

Robert
Ah, great info! I didn't realize there were threaded holes for the newer trim. I'll have to prowl the local pick-n-pull and try to find some of the newer trim.
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