Date:         Sat, 10 Feb 2007 08:08:32 -0500
Reply-To:     John Graham <theklube@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Graham <theklube@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: attaching grab handles
Comments: To: Troy <colorworks@gci.net>
In-Reply-To:  <003801c74cfd$9c591870$0201a8c0@dellumudu3qsdq>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Troy,

I added a couple of grab handles to my 88 Westy a few years back.  I got
them from a local junk yard that had Vanagons on the lot.  Each of the
handles that I removed had little plastic bases on them which allowed them
to be mounted on an angle on the door post.  I assume that you have a handle
on the window post on the front passenger's door.  Take a close look at that
one.  There are little plastic flaps that cover the screws that hold it in
place.  You could loosen that one and see the details that I'm describing.

I installed a handle on the drivers side door/window post to match the
passenger side and like that very much.  I installed a second one on the
post that the sliding door closes to.  I find that that one interferes with
reaching for the sliding door locking knob from the driver's seat.  The van
that I got the handles from was a 7 passenger model and I guess I mounted
the handle too low there - alas, I didn't take measurements from the donor
van of the height.

In the pictures that your note included, I like the handle that was mounted
on the sliding door itself, but I think that that handle would need
different mounting blocks than are used on the front posts.

Bottom line is - donor handle should come with all the screws and mounting
blocks that you need.

John Graham
88 Westy - Hathaway
Charlotte, NC