Toyota's Respone to Aftermarket Grab Handle

I think the point everyone is making is that toyotas response was 100% predicable. They dont know this part, they dont have any info on this part, and they didnt do any testing with this part. So toyota is going to say "we do not recommend or assist with modifying our vehicles from the original factory specifications". This goes for every single modification that we make to our trucks. Lift kits, replacement grills, larger tires, bumpers. All of these things can and will have a effect on the performance of the truck that toyota wont be able to comment on.

 

Yes- this is true. It's a canned response for anything you'd ask them. I understand the original concern though. I considered a handle for the driver side, my wife is short and someone makes adapter brackets for 4Runners. But I am also concerned about the holistic integrity of the airbag, and so I've shelved installation plans for the moment.

 

But my thing is, if it is dangerous, why even have it in for a passenger in the first place? Or in the case of what you said.

To be fair, I also noticed my dad's 2015 Colorado doesn't have a driver's side grab handle, but the passenger side does.

 

He's not asserting that a handle itself is dangerous. He's asking whether an aftermarket modification (adding a handle) can affect how the airbag deploys. Adding a handle changes the system and its original design.

 

It’s been explained to him multiple times via official crash test videos/photos of how the side airbag deploys in a separate thread by multiple people including myself. There is no reason to suggest that the aftermarket product in question will not allow airbag deployment. He ignores anyone with any valid points and keeps rehashing his same sentiment for whatever reason.

Now if anyone wants to actually talk sense and suggest that the plastic this handle is made of is more likely to shatter than warp during a deployment, as it may or may not become brittle with UV exposure, that is a more valid concern.

 

I addressed that in my original comment. I was referring to OEM and wondering why Toyota eliminated it in the first place. Some people have cited safety and others, cost.

 

I am not saying a handle is dangerous if that is the design and has been tested as such. The passenger side handle and airbag deployment are not necessarily an identical copy of the driver side. Watching the crash videos it is apparent that the plastic cover will not open the same way with 2 bolts and a handle bridging them together as with the no-handle and single bolt. That does change. Does that affect the deployment? I think yes. But worse, Toyota is no longer liable for injuries caused in a crash due to faulty airbag deployment.

 

Son of a bitch! I put my BIL in the driver seat and had him drive the truck into a tree, I'm removing the drivers side grab handle ASAP!

 

That's what its made for

Could it be deleted because the Obstruction of Vision? RobMotive and others have made comments of that, the passenger side grab handle does not obstruct the drivers view so...

 

In theory, it would be an identical copy (if done OEM of course). That's just my curiosity though. Some have cited costs, but others said safety. I just don't buy it for a safety issue. But aftermarket, I can definitely see the potential issues there.

 

I don't believe it obstructed really at all though, but that could be a possibility.

 

Especially since a 3rd Gen uses a 2nd Gen Cab, it already had a bag and handle.

 

Easy there little camper. If you look at a deployed pillar airbag you’ll see that the pillar doesn’t fly off and that the bag deploys from the seam on the left side of the pillar.

Why get so worked up over a mod that someone decides to put in their vehicle?

it’s like saying, “guns kill people”.

My reflection was just that. Me sharing a simple flashback with those of us who survived the 60’s and 70’s. I remember sleeping in the back of my grandparents fastback Galaxy 500. Stupid? HELL YES. Just a memory and glad I survived stupid decisions.

that said o seriously doubly this handle will kill someone, but who knows?

I support a person’s right to choose! I fought for it and am prepared to die for it.

EXTREME CENTER POLITICS!

SEMPER FI!

 

The airbag might deploy, but the dynamics of the system might be altered just enough to make deployment unsafe. It doesn't take a lot of variables to change a system drastically, and airbag systems can be dangerous if not tuned correctly. Altering a system can change the tuning.

 

Why question my concerns?

 

That handle is dumb as shit anyways , and poor QC on her part

 

How bad do you want a driver side grab handle? nough said

 

The airbag deploys no different from what I can tell compared to a 2nd gen with a handle installed.

If the ktjo handle entailed adding the new bolt up toward the headliner end of the a-Pilar trim, that might have been concerning, but adding a bolt halfway down to a pre-existent stanchion where only a trailing tail of airbag exists does not strike me as a concern. Again, I’d be more concerned about shrapnel from questionable plastic quality rather than an issue with the airbag making its way out from between the pillar trim and pillar frame.

 

Bought a '79 new. Built to last was the slogan, and it did for a long time. Rust eventually killed it. Miles and miles of chasing coyotes, jumping terraces and hitting ditches (oops) did not. Tough little truck.