I have been shopping for grab handles and just wasn't happy with what was available retail. I personally think all the hard bars stick out too much and I am not a fan of the soft handles. I do like the handles built in to that bolt in front cage but I am not adding one of those yet. I had been considering bending up some cheap 1/2 thin wall pipe to make my own or cutting up pipe and welding if I couldn't get the tight bends I wanted.

I wanted something that barely stuck out and followed the rake of the windshield frame. I was cruising fleabay one evening and saw some grab bars for an F250 that looked like they might work and that got me thinking about a possible OEM solution. Maybe someone already makes what I wanted. I ordered several sets of various handles. Some ford, chevy and what not. Finally think I have settled on 1998-ish Ford Expedition rear handles.

Anyway, 1998-ish expy rear handles, a 5/16 nutsert, and some bending around and I came up with this so far. Just cut away the soft ends on the handles to expose the metal. Drilled a hole in the windshield frame. Installed a nutsert. Used the existing roll bar bolt at the top. I just have to dye/paint the handles black now and cut the holes in the trim pieces. If I don't butcher the trim pieces it may wind up looking ok. They are solid as heck and I am pretty pleased thus far.








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Some finished pics. Crazy how much harder black handles are to photo than lighter colors! So fit and finish leaves a little to be desired. Not for everyone I know but I like the look and feel of them. Do not like the smooth texture compared to the trim pieces. May have to see if I can get bedliner to stick or something. I pulled them in a little so they are closer to the windshield. And, yes, I put the hole in the passenger trim piece in the wrong spot. Gotta order another.

And bottom line - they are super helpful getting in and out and the wife approves!

 

I appreciate the ingenuity but have you looked at grabbars? I love mine unobstructive and no need to hack the plastics.

 

Yep, If those were just a little tighter to the windshield I'd love them. If I was going to make my own I was going to copy their design but go much smaller. I think they are just too big and hang down too far. Love the ease of install though. Love that they use factory bolts.

 

As someone with the Grabbars, I think any smaller and they'd be useless. They don't stick out further than your diy handles, only a little thicker. The only issue I've had with them is that they slightly interfere with the sun visors. Good job on the handles regardless, I feel like I would wreck them though.

Although to be fair I'm 6'4" and 300lbs, I wouldn't trade them, but they were fairly pricey for what they are.

 

The Synergy Grab Handles don't stick out much and have a good grasp angle. The picture is somewhat misleading. At the passenger side it looks more like it really is.
I wrapped them with self-sticking silicone tape, so they aren't hot after parking in the sun, or too cold in the winter.

 

E for effort. They're functional but look cheap and out of place. Definitely not as beefy as grabars and they stick out more and look awkward. Just get the grabars and be happy.

 

That's in the eyes of the beholder... They're very strong, the finish is good. They look like the the Jeep was "born" with them.
Unlike the Grabars, all 4 look similar.

IMO, the rear Grabars especially, look awkward and stretch too much back, to the center of the opening... to each his own

 

Good job on finding your own fix. If you decide you dont like your creation, you may want to check out JK-RIGRIP on ebay. No cutting involved for installation. They are very solid and low profile.

 

Looks good, but I don't see a pair for the rear doors.