WOT - no grab handle...........not any more

I was amazed that my FL1 Kalahari has no grab handle whatsoever. Not even one for the passenger to hold while I go inverted.
Even worse it has no tapping etc. anywhere to fit one. It meant working from scratch.
So here is what I did.
First I bought one of these for a few pence. I decided on a folding type and it is from ans Audi A4.


I had already had the roof lining peeled away which is why I knew there was no tapping or such regardless. Also there is a big gap of no frame between the chalk marks (you can see the left one in the pic) so positioning was limited Any farther to the right of the mark and nothing. It had to be somewhat forward or well to the rear. As it happens in the final position it is pretty much midway along the door length. So next step was to cut holes in the liner.

Then I hand drilled pilot holes in case there was wiring behind there using grease to catch swarf, some cloth to catch bits and a drill stop.
And here it is installed.

Funnily enough there is a natural recess in the liner behind it for the handle to fold into.

So I guess you didn't need me to measure my handle spacing then.

Are you going to put a matching one on the other side too?

I wonder whether Rover 75 "Smokestone" handles might be a bit closer in terms of colour - but I like the neatness of this John!

Nodge68 said:

So I guess you didn't need me to measure my handle spacing then.

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You know me John.................not very patient and daylight was burning.

rob_bell said:

Are you going to put a matching one on the other side too? I like the neatness of this John!

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Highly unlikely that I'll be adding another as I am making the motor suitable for me primarily. They grey seems to match well but TBH I went for the cheapest flip-up I could find. If I can get another I might be tempted though. I do not recall when I had a motor with no grab handles and I have had a good few especially in 4x4. OK I sometimes expect to have to add one for the driver but even then it should be handles all round.

Helijohn
I suspect that if ever you should you need to grab hold of it, it'd come off in your hands.

Colonial said:

Helijohn
I suspect that if ever you should you need to grab hold of it, it'd come off in your hands.

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Possibly cos the steel in the roof is not exactly seat belt strength but I lifted my weight with it just to check the strength. I nearly went for a solid one thinking it might be stronger. I guess if I am falling off a cliff I'd do better to jump for it than hold on.