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Jamos Samba Member
Joined: July 08, 2005 Posts: 762 Location: Lake Tahoe, CA
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Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 4:04 pm Post subject: Adding a grab handle to the interior sliding door? |
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So I picked up a grab handle that was on the body of a parts van...mounted vertically just forward of the sliding door.
I'd like to install it on the slider itself...kind of just a little back from where it was originally.
Anybody done this?
Pics?
Seems like a pretty straight-forward upgrade/addition.
Any reason not to do it? _________________ '86 Wolfy Westy Weekender
2020 Audi Q5 |
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msinabottle Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3492 Location: Denver Area, Colorado
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Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:29 pm Post subject: Wrenching the Door? |
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I'm not sure I'd want to put too much weight on something that slides in a track and moves. If you want other handle on the sliding door, take a look at this:
Not sure you can rig the later sliders for this, but I use the 2nd handle to finish closing that hatch all the time.
Best! _________________ 'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence." |
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:23 pm Post subject: |
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I've seen this done, and have almost done it myself. There's a picture and quick mention about mounting one here: http://www.mts.net/~rrh/WestyMods.html Here's the picture.
Anyhow, I've seen little base pieces that fit perfectly on the rounded curve of the front window frame. I may even have a pair I picked up along the way. At any rate, they're out there, and should make closing the slider from inside much easier. _________________ '85 Westy |
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Jamos Samba Member
Joined: July 08, 2005 Posts: 762 Location: Lake Tahoe, CA
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Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:43 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the replies guys...
I just finished up the job a little while ago.
The hardest part was getting the measuring correct for the holes.
and the handle I had was from just ahead of the door as I mentioned, so it was one of the ones with the rounded mounting bases. This made it a little more difficult to install since I had to drill the holes on a curve.
So installing one of the flat ones on the flat metal would make this a snap.
Anyway, I like it! Mostly just to slide the door closed (maybe it will help the interior handle last longer?)
I need a couple of the little screw-cover bits for the handle if anyone has some (in brown).
I'll snap some pics later and post 'em here. _________________ '86 Wolfy Westy Weekender
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Timwhy Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 4002 Location: Maine
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 9:37 pm Post subject: |
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Not mounted on the curve, but gives you a good idea of how it might turn out. I opted against using the curved wedges since the curve on the back of the b-pillar (where the curved bases originally mounted) is larger than the curve alongside the slider window. Just didn't seem like it was going to match up the way I wanted it to. Also found the flat mounting pieces to be too wide for the upper mounting point beside the window, so I went without. On the flat works out great, and I find using the grab handle makes opening and closing the slider a simpler task. YMMV.
_________________ '85 Westy |
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syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 12006 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 9:55 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the pic. I have been meaning to stick a handle there for the kids and it looks exactly like I pictured it in my head. Gotta do it now. |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 10:02 pm Post subject: |
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great info, thanks a bunch, I had a handle already here to do this, just never had the time to think about how to mount it. It does make a lot of sense to have a grab handle inside the sliding door, closing that door is not easy if you are a passenger unfamiliar with these vans. _________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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K58 Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2006 Posts: 1173 Location: Santa Barbara
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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here's another
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Jamos Samba Member
Joined: July 08, 2005 Posts: 762 Location: Lake Tahoe, CA
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 11:13 pm Post subject: |
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Here are a couple pictures of mine. Sorry for the iphone quality pics.
I did mount mine on the curve with the wedge base pieces...I think just a little higher than the one in 1621's photo. Mine came from the vertical section just forward of the slider (from an '87 passenger van), so the bases had the right shape to fit on the door. Not sure if bases from the front pillars would have the right curve or not.
Great upgrade, we use it every time we're in the van! _________________ '86 Wolfy Westy Weekender
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Timwhy Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 4002 Location: Maine
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:15 am Post subject: |
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1621 wrote: |
Not mounted on the curve, but gives you a good idea of how it might turn out. I opted against using the curved wedges since the curve on the back of the b-pillar (where the curved bases originally mounted) is larger than the curve alongside the slider window. Just didn't seem like it was going to match up the way I wanted it to. Also found the flat mounting pieces to be too wide for the upper mounting point beside the window, so I went without. On the flat works out great, and I find using the grab handle makes opening and closing the slider a simpler task. YMMV. |
What do you have the handle screwed into to keep it from coming off the door? Did you you a nylon screw grommet or spreader nut? _________________ '15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary
http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee |
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:00 am Post subject: |
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Timwhy wrote: |
1621 wrote: |
Not mounted on the curve, but gives you a good idea of how it might turn out. I opted against using the curved wedges since the curve on the back of the b-pillar (where the curved bases originally mounted) is larger than the curve alongside the slider window. Just didn't seem like it was going to match up the way I wanted it to. Also found the flat mounting pieces to be too wide for the upper mounting point beside the window, so I went without. On the flat works out great, and I find using the grab handle makes opening and closing the slider a simpler task. YMMV. |
What do you have the handle screwed into to keep it from coming off the door? Did you you a nylon screw grommet or spreader nut? |
No spreader nuts or grommets necessary. Drilled a pilot hole and used the stock screws to hold it in place. Plenty strong enough, even with yanking the door open and closed all the time. _________________ '85 Westy |
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DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:04 am Post subject: |
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Intersting. That would make life much easier for closing the door from the inside. I'd like to have one on the drivers front side to help me climb up. I slide down so its only for up.
Could I ask where you find the handles, various places please? _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6247 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:18 am Post subject: |
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Will the door still open fully if the handle is mounted horizontally just below the window towards the front? I think that would be an easy place to mount and grab too.
You can find the handles and parts in the classified section. _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:56 am Post subject: |
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Handles are pretty easy to procure at junkyards, in my experience. _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 10:00 am Post subject: |
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PDXWesty wrote: |
Will the door still open fully if the handle is mounted horizontally just below the window towards the front? I think that would be an easy place to mount and grab too. |
Don't quote me on this, but I think I recall looking at this option and it would have hit the c-pillar. It really would be an ideal place though. _________________ '85 Westy |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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1621 wrote: |
PDXWesty wrote: |
Will the door still open fully if the handle is mounted horizontally just below the window towards the front? I think that would be an easy place to mount and grab too. |
Don't quote me on this, but I think I recall looking at this option and it would have hit the c-pillar. It really would be an ideal place though. |
hum, not sure that would be ergonomic, I think it is easier to pull and push on a vertical grab handle to open and close the sliding door. _________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 1:14 pm Post subject: |
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Yes there would be less drag and less effort to pull a vertical handle. Lifting something up would be better with a horizontal handle. _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6247 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 1:20 pm Post subject: |
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madspaniard wrote: |
1621 wrote: |
PDXWesty wrote: |
Will the door still open fully if the handle is mounted horizontally just below the window towards the front? I think that would be an easy place to mount and grab too. |
Don't quote me on this, but I think I recall looking at this option and it would have hit the c-pillar. It really would be an ideal place though. |
hum, not sure that would be ergonomic, I think it is easier to pull and push on a vertical grab handle to open and close the sliding door. |
Don't knock it til you've tried it!
It actually feels easier because there is no bending pressure on your wrist. _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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PDXWesty wrote: |
madspaniard wrote: |
1621 wrote: |
PDXWesty wrote: |
Will the door still open fully if the handle is mounted horizontally just below the window towards the front? I think that would be an easy place to mount and grab too. |
Don't quote me on this, but I think I recall looking at this option and it would have hit the c-pillar. It really would be an ideal place though. |
hum, not sure that would be ergonomic, I think it is easier to pull and push on a vertical grab handle to open and close the sliding door. |
Don't knock it til you've tried it!
It actually feels easier because there is no bending pressure on your wrist. |
true I haven't tried it, do I have to come up there to try and while I'm there get a couple of beers with the PDX crowd? I wouldn't mind _________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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