The lack of a pillar grab handle makes me want to kick puppies

[TEQ.FZJ]

Seriously, this enrages me. Why would Toyota put a pillar grab handle on the passenger side but not the driver's side? Is this same on older models too (I have a 2014)? I don't get it, both sides have the curtain air bags so why did they skip on a grab handle, something that almost every truck and SUV on the planet has.

Forgive my ignorance but this is the first car I've had with curtain air bags. Can I remove the pillar trim without having to worry about the airbags? What's underneath? Are the bolt holes even there? Is it possible to retrofit the handle from another truck? I wouldn't mind having to cut the plastic moulding if I had to, but I'm not sure what happens with the airbag.

This is the only thread I could find, but nothing conclusive came out of it
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/82275-front-driver-side-pillar-grab-handle.html

 

[1engineer]

The driver has the steering wheel to grab and a grab handle above the window.

 

[Titanpat57]

Seriously, this enrages me.

You could probably omit the airbag and screw something in there...I mean it's only a cover.

If you own a Toyota you're used to modifying factory shortcomings...no?

 

[TEQ.FZJ]

Yeah, neither of which are comfortable positions to grab on to. The grab handles that folds up into the headliner is in a very awkward position. Would need to be contortionist to use that handle to climb in the truck. Steering wheel, just all wrong too.

I don't get it. Is it a cost savings issue? What about right-hand drive 4Runners of the world? Would that mean the bolt holes are already there to serve as a passenger side grab handle for those trucks?

 

[1engineer]

Yeah, neither of which are comfortable positions to grab on to. The grab handles that folds up into the headliner is in a very awkward position. Would need to be contortionist to use that handle to climb in the truck. Steering wheel, just all wrong too.

I don't get it. Is it a cost savings issue? What about right-hand drive 4Runners of the world? Would that mean the bolt holes are already there to serve as a passenger side grab handle for those trucks?

Maybe for you but just fine for me lol. As far as I can remember I have never used a grab handle to get into a vehicle. Are you vertically challenged by chance?

 

[Rubberdown]

If it's that bad drill some holes and put one of those cloth jeep ones screwed into the a-pillar. I'm sure there is a way to do it and not screw up the airbag.

 

[TEQ.FZJ]

Maybe for you but just fine for me lol. As far as I can remember I have never used a grab handle to get into a vehicle. Are you vertically challenged by chance?

Yeah I'm short - don't judge me :flipoff:

If I didn't have a grab handle on my Land Cruiser, I'd have to get a running start to jump in! I'm just being whiny about the 4Runner, but it is a minor inconvenience. I'm wondering if there really is a reason for not having one on the driver's side.

 

[jgue467]

You could probably omit the airbag and screw something in there...I mean it's only a cover.

If you own a Toyota you're used to modifying factory shortcomings...no?

Don't you Really mean if you own "americun" designed you have to fix shortcomings?! But I'm with you, I can get in with both hands full, what's the big deal? I'd be more upset about toyo lowering my chassis 2 inches for better mpgs!!

 

[TEQ.FZJ]

If it's that bad drill some holes and put one of those cloth jeep ones screwed into the a-pillar. I'm sure there is a way to do it and not screw up the airbag.

Would self-tapping screws hold it in place though? I thought of this, but I could see the screws working themselves loose over time without a nutsert behind the metal...

 

[Whiplash Willy]

Yeah, neither of which are comfortable positions to grab on to. The grab handles that folds up into the headliner is in a very awkward position. Would need to be contortionist to use that handle to climb in the truck. Steering wheel, just all wrong too.

I don't get it. Is it a cost savings issue? What about right-hand drive 4Runners of the world? Would that mean the bolt holes are already there to serve as a passenger side grab handle for those trucks?

It is totally a cost savings issue, as are with most things on the 5th gen. Are there even Right Hand Drive 4runners anymore? The 4runner is only available in a couple markets (North America, and maybe one or two others) They don't even have the current 4runner in Japan!

You may want to look into what the Pillar handles for a GX460 and Prado are like, as the 4runner, GX460 and Prado share the same platform, and many other parts. I know the GX470 has Front Driver and Passenger pillar handles, as well as 2nd row Driver and Passenger side pillar handles, as well as headliner mounted grab handles as well.

 

[eddiebx]

 

[Mason]

No Driverside Oh S@#t handle - TundraTalk.net - Toyota Tundra Discussion Forum

Different platform, but it might give you some leads on what to do.

 

[Swarty]

Not really all that unusual...

Seriously, this enrages me. Why would Toyota put a pillar grab handle on the passenger side but not the driver's side? Is this same on older models too (I have a 2014)? I don't get it, both sides have the curtain air bags so why did they skip on a grab handle, something that almost every truck and SUV on the planet has.

Old truck or SUVs. Modern ones regularly skip it so we'll all have to adjust or buy Dodge...
:hiding:
The recent F150s, new Silverado, recent Grand cherokees, new Cherokee, Ridgeline, Tundra, new Frontier, New Explorer, none of these have "a" pillar driver side handles either, at least not at every trim level. It's not actually all that common now. They weren't usually built strong enough for a normal weight adult to pull them self into the vehicle on a regular basis even when they were included so I don't really see it as a big loss.

 

[TEQ.FZJ]

No Driverside Oh S@#t handle - TundraTalk.net - Toyota Tundra Discussion Forum

Different platform, but it might give you some leads on what to do.

Thanks for the link! I attached that guy's writeup as a reference for folks. No to see which OEM pillar grab handle would actually work...

View attachment Adding the driver side grab handle to the 2014 Toyota Tundra.pdf

 

[TEQ.FZJ]

They weren't usually built strong enough for a normal weight adult to pull them self into the vehicle on a regular basis even when they were included

How'd you come up with this conclusion? I've never had any issues using the pillar grab handle on a daily basis in any other truck. And if you see the link posted above for a Tundra, you can see the mounts are still there underneath the trim. Toyota just decided not to include it in an attempt to maximize profits I'm assuming.

 

[Antman]

 

[Rubberdown]

Would self-tapping screws hold it in place though? I thought of this, but I could see the screws working themselves loose over time without a nutsert behind the metal...

Use a rivnut or something.

 

[Swarty]

How'd you come up with this conclusion? I've never had any issues using the pillar grab handle on a daily basis in any other truck. And if you see the link posted above for a Tundra, you can see the mounts are still there underneath the trim. Toyota just decided not to include it in an attempt to maximize profits I'm assuming.

Might just be we bought old crap boxes but out of 3 trucks in my family all of them were either broken or damaged when we got the truck. To be fair all of them were old and high mileage.
I agree Tundras include the mount. Just saying most new trucks and SUVs are now sold without the drivers side A pillar handle.

 

[pimpsta]

If you think that's bad, wait till you lift your truck and see how your passengers climb into the second row. My friends/family used to grab onto the front headrest or have someone pull them up from the other side. These help, but a handle on the B-pillar would be perfect.

Here's the link to that discussion:

www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/140868-rear-passenger-grab-handle.html

 

[ryanbt]

The lack of the pillar handles is one thing I miss from my 4th gen.