Grab handle suggestions for inside cab, lifted truck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

AirSpeed · 12-23-2009, 01:20 AM

I bought a lifted 72 GMC 4X4 recently and I need to put a handle inside the cab somewhere so I can get in easier (I have a REALLY bad back) I was thinking of putting one on the inside of the windshield post or inside above the door. I dont want it to look too Redneck (no offence to any rednecks implied) Have any of you done this or seen it done? Pictures? Thanks!

**special-K** · 12-23-2009, 08:24 AM

Don`t worry,you can be a closet redneck.No one will see a handle inside.Besides,you already made the redneck list when you bought a lifted truck

.I`d suggest the a-pillar (windshield post).That will pull your weight forward as you rise and your butt will be over the seat when it`s high enough to be put in the truck.I see people pulling themselves up (and experienced it myself) with handles above the opening and it`s like you want to fall backwards towards the bed.It`s hard to pull yourself forward with your grip directly above your head.

AirSpeed · 12-23-2009, 09:12 AM

"Besides,you already made the redneck list when you bought a lifted truck"
Thanks a lot! I already felt self conscious driving it, now I can never drive it again!
I got a great deal on the truck and was going to drop it back down when the guy I bought it from found the original front springs. It rides so nice I decided to leave it alone. It's only 4 inches and it sits at the same height as my 87 Blazer so I didnt feel THAT redneck! (see how I am desperately trying to justify leaving it lifted)
Thanks for the suggestion, I think you're right about the pillar.
Got a plug of Copenhagen?

**71blksuper4x4** · 12-23-2009, 11:45 AM

You might be able to find a grab handle from the 88-98 body style trucks. They were pretty heavy duty and padded. They would probably look more factory then most options. I believe they are attached in the same location as where you are wanting to put yours. Trevor

**special-K** · 12-23-2009, 09:22 PM

Hey Red,listen to Trevor.He`s a gentleman redneck.

I was going to say how GM went from overhead,like my`90 Blazer had to the A-pillar in 88-98.Then I remembered my`92 K3500 has overhead.I guess when they changed the grilles and interiors in`95(?) they did go to the A-pillar.That`s what the`95 had that I used to own.I figure a change like that on an existing body style was done as an improvement,prolly from surveys/feedback from owners.

OrrieG · 12-25-2009, 03:53 PM

I have been looking for some for my 59. I have seen some nice units that lay flat but flip out when used on ebay. I am getting them because grabbing the tilt column and hoisting yourself in is one of the primary reasons they fail. And as Allan says "it's alright to be a Redneck", I'm a converted Oregon hippie myself...

**special-K** · 12-25-2009, 06:35 PM

Me too.Just not from Oregon.But it was the old Chevy`s running around Humboldt County (like yours,matter of fact) that helped contribute to the transition.

Slick17 · 12-28-2009, 11:30 AM

I need some to for the girl. I'll look for some this coming weekend in the grave yard.

Davetopay · 12-28-2009, 09:14 PM

Along the same lines, I was thinking about using a small class I receiver to fab up a removable step where the step inserts into the hitch and is held in place with a pull pin so you can remove it for clearance off road.

As for a handle, I seem to remember there being a handle kit that mounts to the exterior on the B pillar.

Slick17 · 12-29-2009, 11:04 AM

yeah, there is one that mounts to the outside. I just saw one with it on this past weekend. Don't know about drilling holes to the outside of the truck though. Hope you find something AirSpeed

12-23-2009, 01:20 AM	#1
AirSpeed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fall River California Posts: 2,026	Grab handle suggestions for inside cab, lifted truck I bought a lifted 72 GMC 4X4 recently and I need to put a handle inside the cab somewhere so I can get in easier (I have a REALLY bad back) I was thinking of putting one on the inside of the windshield post or inside above the door. I dont want it to look too Redneck (no offence to any rednecks implied) Have any of you done this or seen it done? Pictures? Thanks!

12-23-2009, 08:24 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: Grab handle suggestions for inside cab, lifted truck Don`t worry,you can be a closet redneck.No one will see a handle inside.Besides,you already made the redneck list when you bought a lifted truck .I`d suggest the a-pillar (windshield post).That will pull your weight forward as you rise and your butt will be over the seat when it`s high enough to be put in the truck.I see people pulling themselves up (and experienced it myself) with handles above the opening and it`s like you want to fall backwards towards the bed.It`s hard to pull yourself forward with your grip directly above your head. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-23-2009, 09:12 AM	#3
AirSpeed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fall River California Posts: 2,026	Re: Grab handle suggestions for inside cab, lifted truck "Besides,you already made the redneck list when you bought a lifted truck" Thanks a lot! I already felt self conscious driving it, now I can never drive it again! I got a great deal on the truck and was going to drop it back down when the guy I bought it from found the original front springs. It rides so nice I decided to leave it alone. It's only 4 inches and it sits at the same height as my 87 Blazer so I didnt feel THAT redneck! (see how I am desperately trying to justify leaving it lifted) Thanks for the suggestion, I think you're right about the pillar. Got a plug of Copenhagen?

12-23-2009, 11:45 AM	#4
71blksuper4x4 SWB 4x4 Collector Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Osage City, KS Posts: 5,150	Re: Grab handle suggestions for inside cab, lifted truck You might be able to find a grab handle from the 88-98 body style trucks. They were pretty heavy duty and padded. They would probably look more factory then most options. I believe they are attached in the same location as where you are wanting to put yours. Trevor __________________ TREVOR 1970 CST swb 4x4 (speedwarning,cruise,tilt,tach,8track, original red shoulder belts,tow hooks) 1972 Jimmy (soon to be Hickey cloned) 1971 Cheyenne Super 4x4 swb (tilt,tach,buckets, original blue shoulder belts,am/fm,cruise,tow hooks, dealer 8 track) 1972 Cheyenne Super K20 4x4 Custom Camper (tilt, tach, am/fm, tow hooks, bed toolbox, aux gas tank 1972 Cheyenne Super Crew Cab K30 4x4 Duramax, Allison, np205, buckets, tow hooks (CURRENT PROJECT) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624819 1989 V3500 Crew Cab (454tbi, NV4500, np205) 1970 Chevelle SS (LS5 454,th400,8track,buckets,tach) :2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (daily driver) WTB: 1968-70 Cruise Control Lever

12-23-2009, 09:22 PM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: Grab handle suggestions for inside cab, lifted truck Hey Red,listen to Trevor.He`s a gentleman redneck. I was going to say how GM went from overhead,like my`90 Blazer had to the A-pillar in 88-98.Then I remembered my`92 K3500 has overhead.I guess when they changed the grilles and interiors in`95(?) they did go to the A-pillar.That`s what the`95 had that I used to own.I figure a change like that on an existing body style was done as an improvement,prolly from surveys/feedback from owners. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-25-2009, 03:53 PM	#6
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Grab handle suggestions for inside cab, lifted truck I have been looking for some for my 59. I have seen some nice units that lay flat but flip out when used on ebay. I am getting them because grabbing the tilt column and hoisting yourself in is one of the primary reasons they fail. And as Allan says "it's alright to be a Redneck", I'm a converted Oregon hippie myself... __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project Last edited by OrrieG; 12-25-2009 at 03:54 PM.

12-25-2009, 06:35 PM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: Grab handle suggestions for inside cab, lifted truck Me too.Just not from Oregon.But it was the old Chevy`s running around Humboldt County (like yours,matter of fact) that helped contribute to the transition. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-28-2009, 11:30 AM	#8
Slick17 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 158	Re: Grab handle suggestions for inside cab, lifted truck I need some to for the girl. I'll look for some this coming weekend in the grave yard.

12-28-2009, 09:14 PM	#9
Davetopay Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 424	Re: Grab handle suggestions for inside cab, lifted truck Along the same lines, I was thinking about using a small class I receiver to fab up a removable step where the step inserts into the hitch and is held in place with a pull pin so you can remove it for clearance off road. As for a handle, I seem to remember there being a handle kit that mounts to the exterior on the B pillar.

12-29-2009, 11:04 AM	#10
Slick17 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 158	Re: Grab handle suggestions for inside cab, lifted truck yeah, there is one that mounts to the outside. I just saw one with it on this past weekend. Don't know about drilling holes to the outside of the truck though. Hope you find something AirSpeed



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.