| Author |
Message |
blackivory69
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2013
Posts: 309
Location: California
|
 Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 8:19 am Post subject: Cab Grab Handle option |
 |
|
Hi. My wife is complaining every time she hop in our 71 Riviera. She wants to have a handle to grab on to. I'm talking about handles by the C channel of the bay window. I will admit that i need one also (not getting any younger  ). I searched before and I know VW didn't make one. So I made a set for my 70 DC which I love (photos below). That is made of stainless steel. I'll polish it when it's time for restoration. Problem was, I had to drill holes. Metal screws. Now, I tried to avoid drilling holes in our 71, so I want to find out if there's a better option.
_________________
1970 Double Cab. Stock engine (1600 SP)
1973 Thing (Mexican Safari)
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible
1969 Buggy |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
airschooled
Air-Schooled
Joined: April 04, 2012
Posts: 12722
Location: on a bike ride somewhere
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 10:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
I don't like the idea of drilling anywhere near the windshield channel, I like to keep moisture and rust OUT of areas like that. If I had to drill, I would make sure to spray rust catalyzing primer down the holes, then paint any exposed metal. But even then, that's a thin piece of metal to support a human... I wonder if repeated use could cause warpage in the window/door openings and cause leaks/rust/cracked glass either?
Sorry for sounding like a downer, but when I have a whiny passenger, I just parked so they could open the door all the way, and use the step and dash handle at the same time. The steps are almost useless if the door isn't open all the way, no matter early or late style.
Let us know how your handles hold up over time and use?
_________________
Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
canes5time
Samba Member
Joined: October 25, 2008
Posts: 124
Location: Boca Raton, FL
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 11:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
I like it. Maybe a little smaller though.
I seem to always grab the steering wheel when I've gotten in my Bus over the years. I know that can't be good over time, but it works. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rustbus
Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2009
Posts: 2078
Location: alberta
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 11:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
I installed a handle for the passenger,
But on my side of the bus, I just grab the whole windshield channel when i pull myself into the smoothest ride on pavement.
_________________
May of '72 Deluxe.  2.0L L-Jet CS & 091 trans conversion
my Bus thread |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tristessa
Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2004
Posts: 3992
Location: Portland, OR
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| asiab3 wrote: |
| I don't like the idea of drilling anywhere near the windshield channel, I like to keep moisture and rust OUT of areas like that. |
I wouldn't worry about that very much, other than the obvious of not drilling all the way through. The a-pillar is hollow and open at the top & bottom, drilling a couple of screw holes isn't going to make it any more likely to rust than it already is as long as you paint the fresh holes -- and for a spot treatment like that, even nail polish will do a perfectly adequate job.
I'd be a bit concerned about the installation being (apparently) sheetmetal screws straight into the hole, and would be happier to see nut-serts with a machine screw. Not for strength, but because in my experience sheetmetal screws in a stressed usage like that tend to loosen over time and eventually pull out... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
blackivory69
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2013
Posts: 309
Location: California
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 4:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| asiab3 wrote: |
I don't like the idea of drilling anywhere near the windshield channel, I like to keep moisture and rust OUT of areas like that. If I had to drill, I would make sure to spray rust catalyzing primer down the holes, then paint any exposed metal. But even then, that's a thin piece of metal to support a human... I wonder if repeated use could cause warpage in the window/door openings and cause leaks/rust/cracked glass either?
Sorry for sounding like a downer, but when I have a whiny passenger, I just parked so they could open the door all the way, and use the step and dash handle at the same time. The steps are almost useless if the door isn't open all the way, no matter early or late style.
Let us know how your handles hold up over time and use? |
I agree with you for not drilling holes. That's why I cringe every time I drill holes anywhere in any of my vehicle. But remember this is inside the cab and will not be expose to weather.
You'll be amaze how that "thin piece of metal" can support you. Those handle on the photos are over a year old now and I don't see any movement on that metal. Unless you're 500 lbs then maybe you'll see it flex. But bent, you'll need a lot of force. I'll give you an example, get a piece of paper. That piece of paper will not support anything, but make a roll out of it and it can support like a small pocket book. You get it, right?
The step is still too high for my wife. Hell, it's even too high for me (I'm 5'10") so I don't use it. 
I'm just trying to avoid drilling but if there's no other option, I have no problem drilling it. I'll do the same set (maybe bigger) for my 71.
_________________
1970 Double Cab. Stock engine (1600 SP)
1973 Thing (Mexican Safari)
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible
1969 Buggy |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
blackivory69
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2013
Posts: 309
Location: California
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 7:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| tristessa wrote: |
I'd be a bit concerned about the installation being (apparently) sheetmetal screws straight into the hole, and would be happier to see nut-serts with a machine screw. Not for strength, but because in my experience sheetmetal screws in a stressed usage like that tend to loosen over time and eventually pull out... |
The way the handle was installed is perpendicular to the metal when you're pulling the handle. It's like drive a screw in a wall, put a string and pull it perpendicular to the wall, not 90 degree pull.
But I agree with you. Nut-sert or a welded nut is a better way to do it. So since I like it so much, this will be one of the upgrade when it's time for my 70 DC to be restored. I'll weld a nut (M8 maybe?) on those pillar. Thanks.
_________________
1970 Double Cab. Stock engine (1600 SP)
1973 Thing (Mexican Safari)
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible
1969 Buggy |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ned
Samba Member
Joined: June 28, 2004
Posts: 1574
Location: Arroyo Grande Ca.
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 8:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
| There are VW made handles for this function out there. They are usually mouted on the B pillar of some of the later model campers. They are similar to the passenger grab handles in a 7 -9 passenger bus. They have different geometry than the straight ones. They work good for that function. Just FYI. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
blackivory69
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2013
Posts: 309
Location: California
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 8:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
| ned wrote: |
| There are VW made handles for this function out there. They are usually mouted on the B pillar of some of the later model campers. They are similar to the passenger grab handles in a 7 -9 passenger bus. They have different geometry than the straight ones. They work good for that function. Just FYI. |
Do you happen to have a photo of it installed? How did VW installed it on the B pillar?
_________________
1970 Double Cab. Stock engine (1600 SP)
1973 Thing (Mexican Safari)
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible
1969 Buggy |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tom Powell
Samba Member
Joined: December 01, 2005
Posts: 4855
Location: Kaneohe
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 10:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
check out the Vanagon forums
there are several writeups on installation
the pax side one is OG and hackers have installed them on the driver's side
they may or may not need wedges
perhaps gowesty sells the handle for Vanagons
Aloha
tp |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ned
Samba Member
Joined: June 28, 2004
Posts: 1574
Location: Arroyo Grande Ca.
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 1:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Hey Ivory, I don`t post pics here. Its too much of a hassle. If you want PM. I will send it email or face book. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
