Discuss How to install A pillar grab handles.

Mike69 · #1 03-23-2016, 05:22 AM

Here is my how-to for installing the A-pillar grab handles on my 2000 Ranger that did not come from the factory with them.

Tools needed;
1) Cordless drill,
2) Drill bits,
3) Riv-Nut installation tool,
4) Phillips head screw driver, or ratchet & socket for grab handle bracket mounting screws.

Here is a list of the parts I used;
1) 4L5Z-1003598-BAB, Dark Graphite A-Pillar molding R/S (Purchased from Ford)
2) 4L5Z-1003599-BAB, Dark Graphite A-Pillar molding L/S (Purchased from Ford)
3) F8TZ-10026A52-AA, A-Pillar grab handle bracket (Purchased from Tasca Ford on E Bay)
4) F8TZ-10026A53-AA, A-Pillar grab handle bracket (Purchased from Tasca Ford on E Bay)
5) Grab handles w/the screw covers, (Purchased from a JY, the ones that mount over the passengers side door on the roof of some Rangers are the same.
6) 4 grab handle screws, (Got them w/the handles from a JY)
7) Box of kick panel retainer clips Pt#-19760 (Purchased from Amazon)
8) Medium Graphite interior trim paint, to repaint the trim moldings since my interior is med graphite & the moldings are not available in med graphite any more. (Purchased from Late Model Restoration)
9) Riv-Nuts & screws to mount the grab handle brackets, (They were either 38-16 or #8-32)

This is how I did it;
1) Removed my old A-Pillar trim moldings,
2) Drilled out the 4 holes where the grab handle brackets would attach to so they would accept the riv-nuts. (ONLY MAKE THE HOLES LARGE ENOUGH FOR THE RIV-NUT TO BARELY SLIP IN THE HOLE)
3) Install the 8 riv-nuts, ( 4 per side) (You will need a riv-nut installation tool)
4) Attach the 2 A-Pillar grab handle brackets,
5) Here is the part where I had to modify the A-Pillar moldings because the retainer studs on the back of the new moldings where they clip into the roof are longer then the old moldings & would not come close to fit flush. Compare the new & old moldings if you are adding them to an older Ranger you will see the difference. If you are adding them to a newer Ranger (06 & up I believe) they should be the same & you could skip this step & the next two.
6) What I did was using side cutters I cut off the stem on the back of the new moldings that has the retainer clip on it so the base is the same height as my old moldings.
7) Now I had to come up with a way to attach the new moldings at the roof over the door. I had two ideas;
1st-Was to use the plastic clips that the sunvisor screws go into & they fit the clip hole in the roof & then you would just have to make a small hole in the molding & install 2 screws.
2nd-Was to use plastic kick panle clips. (That is the way I choose). While holding the new molding in place I marked the molding where the slot in the roof is where the old molding clipped in to & drilled 2 small holes at my marks. I er-checked the alignment of the 2 holes & then enlarged the holes in the moldings to fit the retainer clips. Here is a pic of the clips I used.

8) Since my interior was medium graphite & the moldings do not come in that color any more I painted them & the 2 retainer clips medium graphite to match my interior.
9) I Installed the new trim moldings using the 2 push clips over the door area. Here is a installed pic.

10) Install both grab handles.

RangerOwned · #2 08-17-2016, 01:43 PM

f87z1003599aad med graphite a pillar trim for 98-02 ranger