Steel Grab Bars
12-29-2014, 12:58 PM
#1
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Steel Grab Bars
A few months ago I saw some steel grab bars that attach to the A-pillar and I thought, these are cool! No more grabbing the steering wheel to haul my butt into my lifted JKU. 
Then I saw the price.... 
So, being the cheap person I am, I started looking for a better option. I found some solid mild steel bars sitting in a metal scrap pile, free of course
and turned them into a functional jeep accessory.... and saved $100+ bucks in the process.
So for $5 I got two 12.9 hex head bolts, and $2 for the flat black paint.... good to go!
Of course access to a TIG or other welder is helpful as well as a decent press to bend it to a more desirable shape....
Then I saw the price.... So, being the cheap person I am, I started looking for a better option. I found some solid mild steel bars sitting in a metal scrap pile, free of course
and turned them into a functional jeep accessory.... and saved $100+ bucks in the process.
So for $5 I got two 12.9 hex head bolts, and $2 for the flat black paint.... good to go!
Of course access to a TIG or other welder is helpful as well as a decent press to bend it to a more desirable shape....
12-29-2014, 06:34 PM
#2
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Being a pro fabricator and a major cheep ass I also attempted to build my own out of some thick-wall DOM pipe I had from another project.
After about 4 days of on and off messing with it I finally said F it as I just was not happy with the final product. Just could not get the angles right. The angles for the 2 bolt holes that is.
So given said that I know what you went through. HOWEVER did you forget something? There is supposed to be a second bolt going into the A pillar for a reason.
If that 1 bolt gets the least bit loose (and it will as you are pulling yourself up into the Jeep.) Your grab bar is going to blow out or crack your windshield.
Just trying to help.
God only knows I did not want to spend the money to buy Gra-Bars but they are worth every penny of the price.
These things are so solid I feel like I could park by a cliff and use them as an anchor to rappel down with.
After about 4 days of on and off messing with it I finally said F it as I just was not happy with the final product. Just could not get the angles right. The angles for the 2 bolt holes that is.
So given said that I know what you went through. HOWEVER did you forget something? There is supposed to be a second bolt going into the A pillar for a reason.
If that 1 bolt gets the least bit loose (and it will as you are pulling yourself up into the Jeep.) Your grab bar is going to blow out or crack your windshield.
Just trying to help.
God only knows I did not want to spend the money to buy Gra-Bars but they are worth every penny of the price.
These things are so solid I feel like I could park by a cliff and use them as an anchor to rappel down with.
12-29-2014, 10:24 PM
#3
JK Freak
Being a pro fabricator and a major cheep ass I also attempted to build my own out of some thick-wall DOM pipe I had from another project.
After about 4 days of on and off messing with it I finally said F it as I just was not happy with the final product. Just could not get the angles right. The angles for the 2 bolt holes that is.
So given said that I know what you went through. HOWEVER did you forget something? There is supposed to be a second bolt going into the A pillar for a reason.
If that 1 bolt gets the least bit loose (and it will as you are pulling yourself up into the Jeep.) Your grab bar is going to blow out or crack your windshield.
Just trying to help.
God only knows I did not want to spend the money to buy Gra-Bars but they are worth every penny of the price.
These things are so solid I feel like I could park by a cliff and use them as an anchor to rappel down with.
After about 4 days of on and off messing with it I finally said F it as I just was not happy with the final product. Just could not get the angles right. The angles for the 2 bolt holes that is.
So given said that I know what you went through. HOWEVER did you forget something? There is supposed to be a second bolt going into the A pillar for a reason.
If that 1 bolt gets the least bit loose (and it will as you are pulling yourself up into the Jeep.) Your grab bar is going to blow out or crack your windshield.
Just trying to help.
God only knows I did not want to spend the money to buy Gra-Bars but they are worth every penny of the price.
These things are so solid I feel like I could park by a cliff and use them as an anchor to rappel down with.
I noticed that too. It's a broken windshield waiting to happen.
12-30-2014, 04:54 AM
#4
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Being a pro fabricator and a major cheep ass I also attempted to build my own out of some thick-wall DOM pipe I had from another project.
After about 4 days of on and off messing with it I finally said F it as I just was not happy with the final product. Just could not get the angles right. The angles for the 2 bolt holes that is.
So given said that I know what you went through. HOWEVER did you forget something? There is supposed to be a second bolt going into the A pillar for a reason.
If that 1 bolt gets the least bit loose (and it will as you are pulling yourself up into the Jeep.) Your grab bar is going to blow out or crack your windshield.
Just trying to help.
God only knows I did not want to spend the money to buy Gra-Bars but they are worth every penny of the price.
These things are so solid I feel like I could park by a cliff and use them as an anchor to rappel down with.
After about 4 days of on and off messing with it I finally said F it as I just was not happy with the final product. Just could not get the angles right. The angles for the 2 bolt holes that is.
So given said that I know what you went through. HOWEVER did you forget something? There is supposed to be a second bolt going into the A pillar for a reason.
If that 1 bolt gets the least bit loose (and it will as you are pulling yourself up into the Jeep.) Your grab bar is going to blow out or crack your windshield.
Just trying to help.
God only knows I did not want to spend the money to buy Gra-Bars but they are worth every penny of the price.
These things are so solid I feel like I could park by a cliff and use them as an anchor to rappel down with.
I just could not find a practical (decent looking way) to mount the grab bar directly to the top anchor point. I will update the thread if I can figure it out.
12-30-2014, 06:30 AM
#5
JK Enthusiast
You can also try the JK RiGrip by eBay seller : edgs-globalsolutions. He makes an excellent grab bar that is super sturdy! He's in Canada so shipping is alittle longer than normal but totally worth them! There is only 1 bolt in the Apillar and then the handle is attached to the roll bar with an adjustable clamp. If u didn't want to buy these either, might be an easier design to fab.
12-30-2014, 09:48 AM
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A few months ago I saw some steel grab bars that attach to the A-pillar and I thought, these are cool! No more grabbing the steering wheel to haul my butt into my lifted JKU. Then I saw the price.... So, being the cheap person I am, I started looking for a better option. I found some solid mild steel bars sitting in a metal scrap pile, free of course and turned them into a functional jeep accessory.... and saved $100+ bucks in the process. So for $5 I got two 12.9 hex head bolts, and $2 for the flat black paint.... good to go! Of course access to a TIG or other welder is helpful as well as a decent press to bend it to a more desirable shape....
Then I saw the price.... So, being the cheap person I am, I started looking for a better option. I found some solid mild steel bars sitting in a metal scrap pile, free of course and turned them into a functional jeep accessory.... and saved $100+ bucks in the process. So for $5 I got two 12.9 hex head bolts, and $2 for the flat black paint.... good to go! Of course access to a TIG or other welder is helpful as well as a decent press to bend it to a more desirable shape....
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01-02-2015, 07:17 AM
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I do like the look of the A-pillar to roll bar, but I was attempting to not to modify the factory interior pieces in case I decide to trade my current jeep for a newer model. I would take anything I fab up with me for the new one, and don't want anything to look hacked up.
01-02-2015, 07:36 PM
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A few months ago I saw some steel grab bars that attach to the A-pillar and I thought, these are cool! No more grabbing the steering wheel to haul my butt into my lifted JKU. Then I saw the price.... So, being the cheap person I am, I started looking for a better option. I found some solid mild steel bars sitting in a metal scrap pile, free of course and turned them into a functional jeep accessory.... and saved $100+ bucks in the process. So for $5 I got two 12.9 hex head bolts, and $2 for the flat black paint.... good to go! Of course access to a TIG or other welder is helpful as well as a decent press to bend it to a more desirable shape....
Then I saw the price.... So, being the cheap person I am, I started looking for a better option. I found some solid mild steel bars sitting in a metal scrap pile, free of course and turned them into a functional jeep accessory.... and saved $100+ bucks in the process. So for $5 I got two 12.9 hex head bolts, and $2 for the flat black paint.... good to go! Of course access to a TIG or other welder is helpful as well as a decent press to bend it to a more desirable shape....