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Petronius4



Member Since: 07 Oct 2015
Location: Somerset
Posts: 91

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
Passenger grab handle
Hi all

I'm looking to fit a passenger 'grab handle' in the side roof space above the front NS door - I'm sure I've seen these fitted in some higher spec Defenders?

Anyway my challenge is how to fix it in place - I have a standard vinyl headlining but am assuming that there needs to be a fixing point strong enough to weight-bear someone using it to 'pull themselves in' to the car.

Anyone know how these things attach? Please don't say I have to take the roof lining out...

Thanks. -------------------------------
👲🏻 1986 ex-Military 90 NAD 2.5 Soft Top. Sold
🇬🇧 2015 Defender 90 - Ripon Landrover Heritage 006
Post #483404 18th Dec 2015 6:29pm
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grafty99



Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: North Devon
Posts: 4784

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Caledonian Blue
I don't think they have ever been available as a standard fit. The only place strong enough would be the inner roof gutter where the fir tree clips hold the headlining up Thumbs Up 2002 90 Td5 Station Wagon
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Td5 90 Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic50767.html
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Post #483415 18th Dec 2015 7:10pm
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g-mack



Member Since: 07 Jan 2014
Location: northumberland
Posts: 1967

United Kingdom 
on my old tdi 110, the 2nd row grab handles are self tappers through the roof gutter. seems ok but wouldn't like to do chin ups off it Very Happy can't see why you couldn't do something similar up front! My 109 thread

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Post #483466 18th Dec 2015 8:40pm
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rallysteve



Member Since: 10 Feb 2014
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 2197

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Keswick Green
There are some funny plastic spacers that are needed. The handles screw into the spacers and through the internal gutter. I bought some of the spacers myself but the handles were quite expensive. If fitting from scratch you could try RRC or disco ones though. I have seen some handles fitted to the a pillar too using the existing trim mounting screws 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread
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Post #483518 18th Dec 2015 10:33pm
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X4SKP



Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2287

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey
After many years of intending to fit a Front Passenger Grab Handle...I've decided to tick this off the to do list

My plan is to fit a Standard LR Grab Handle... to the Passenger Front Near Side...my Wife still goes to 'air grab'
what isn't there (and should be really) so before we set off on our adventures this year... this is getting sorted out

I have 4 (JPC5640LNF) Grab Handles fitted already in my 90... 2 at the rear over the door, and 2 on the sides, as an aid to the rear seated passengers


Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge


Positioning this Handle against the Roof Liner at the Front, appears to set up the fixing positions directly in line with the pre-existing 'Christmas Tree' push fasteners...presumably these go into a receiving 'channel' above...
Is this correct... Question


Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge


Does anyone have any photos of this area...with the lining out... Question
Has anyone else done this... Question
My plan is to insert X4 M5 Rivnuts if the inner metalwork 'channel' will accept this, to secure the Handle

I can semi-remove this area of head lining to check...but wondered if someone has been there before me... Question

Thanks... SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html
Post #617941 19th Apr 2017 5:35pm
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Sadi



Member Since: 23 Jul 2015
Location: Windhoek
Posts: 334

Namibia 2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 Heritage Edition SW Grasmere Green
Subscribed..
Found some pics here:

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic38378-15.html

Would love to watch your progress and results please - even male passengers often complain about the absence of a "grabhandle".
Post #617947 19th Apr 2017 6:24pm
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X4SKP



Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2287

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey
Hello Sadi... Thumbs Up

I half remembered this thread...and it's going in the same general direction (thanks)
Looks promising too...just need to understand the proportions / details of this area...


Click image to enlarge


I will definitely post my solution...Yes you are right too... a Unisex Gab Handle Idea SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html
Post #617949 19th Apr 2017 6:35pm
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VeeTee



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1512

Netherlands 
Saw this somewhere recently. Seems a nice solution and a good way to adapt for the existing holes in in the inner gutter.

 Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold)
1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold)
1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold)
1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold)
2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold)
2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold)

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Post #617955 19th Apr 2017 6:55pm
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X4SKP



Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2287

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey
Thanks VeeTee

Interesting...if there is a continuous 'channel' here (underneath the head lining) then I would create new fixing positions for the Grab Handle, at the locations required.

The profile of the longer element on your example looks to allow lateral adjustment / positioning of the Handle and
its shape / cross section looks to go some way in ensuring a 'stiff' element, and therefore preventing the Handle from
flexing this part away from the roof lining.

All looks positive so far... SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html
Post #617977 19th Apr 2017 8:34pm
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mk1collector



Member Since: 17 Sep 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 6769

England 2004 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Bonatti Grey
Ther is a channel above there, I'd use nuts bolts and washers for a strong fixing and the caps should still cover them. Ray
My build thread
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic17615.html
Post #617980 19th Apr 2017 8:45pm
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VeeTee



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1512

Netherlands 
^ The inner gutter (to where the roof lining is attached) is strong enough to attach the c-section rail to. You could even use the existing holes where the fir trees are. I intend to do so, using rivnuts.
(... and so another little project is born while browsing this forum. It never ends... Rolling with laughter ) Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold)
1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold)
1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold)
1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold)
2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold)
2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold)

MySite
Post #617984 19th Apr 2017 8:48pm
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X4SKP



Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2287

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey
mk1collector wrote:
There is a channel above there...
... Thumbs Up thanks mk1collector SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html
Post #617992 19th Apr 2017 9:02pm
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X4SKP



Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2287

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey
Hello All

Having now fixed a Passenger Grab Handle, a few photo's of how I went about it...

I decided to work on the direct fixing line 'visible' for the head lining, so positioned my fixing points
in line with the two fir tree plastic fasteners at roof level above the passenger seat.

The logic was to replicate the space required for fixings within the 'hidden' aluminium channel, without taking
the head lining out to confirm the exact 'arrangements'.

I used a Land Rover 'standard' Grab Handle, and off set this inwards to ensure clearance between the top
profile of the door and your hand when 'grabbed'. The profile of the handle itself also orientates the Handle
further inwards, when mounted in this position.

The down side...potentially... of this arrangement is that it sets up an obstetrical for head clearance
when climbing in an out, so I had a plan to try this first, with a plan B position, of moving the Handle both further inwards and rotating it by around 90 degrees up into the 'roof void'...so completely above door line, and similar to both the existing side and rear handle positions.

My wife however (who is 5 foot...nothing) has tried plan A, and prefers it here (although the alternative has not been tried)...saying it would feel like i'm reaching up too far if it was higher...so here it's staying...I'm 6 foot (and know its there and getting in and out seams OK so far...you can even use it to aid getting in and out, which my mother in her mid 80's found a + too).

So...


Click image to enlarge

Inside (level with lower edge of door frame)


Click image to enlarge

Outside (lower than roof line, and an aid to get both in and out)


Click image to enlarge

Positioned 'inset' to 'corner profile' of roof lining (gives clearance with door when shut and handle in use)


Click image to enlarge

OEM LR Grab Handle (with modified, additional mounting brackets, 3.0mm aluminium)


Click image to enlarge

X4 fixing positions through head lining (in line with head lining fixings, M5 Rivnuts used,
with the head lining material 'core' removed so the Rivnuts are seated directly on the hidden Aluminum
Channel...in case the head lining ever needs to come out)


Click image to enlarge

Grab Handle mounting brackets (with neoprene cushion to protect alcantara head lining,
and space washers to sit within head lining thickness, so as not to crush the head lining)

As with most things in 'Defender Land' even a simple modification can be time consuming,
this took most of day so complete...I really didn't want to mess up my 'upgraded' head lining.

The rivnuts and 'short' off set brackets hold the Grab Handle really firmly, the only flex is within
the Handle itself...so...so far its OK

Wife very pleased to have (what shes always wanted) her JFC Handle... Exclamation SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html
Post #622658 8th May 2017 2:50pm
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bankz5152



Member Since: 02 Feb 2017
Location: South London/North Kent
Posts: 2069

2004 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Epsom Green
Looks good!

I did one here as well, standard fender door handle for now, may replace with a nice leather one in the future.


Click image to enlarge


Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated Mr. Green
Post #622683 8th May 2017 4:08pm
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Chopperone



Member Since: 13 Nov 2016
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 396

United Kingdom 
Bankz;
Does the standard door handle pick up existing screw holes for fixing points OR did you do something else?
Tia
Guy May your life be like toilet paper ; long & useful.
Post #622801 9th May 2017 6:23am
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