Buyer Beware: KTJO 4X4 Driver's Side Grab Handles w/ A Pillars, HUD, and Bowl Lights

Wasn’t the jugular. We waited 13 months. It’s archeology and relics at this point.

 

It doesn't block the view for my seating position. Folks who sit further back my lose just a bit.

My issue is not that you offered a positive experience, but that you said:

That is clearly not the case. Speculation, cognitive dissonance, or a fabrication?

 

Mummy handles?

 

tonered
Yea communication was not stellar, turn around time was long, but super happy with install and end result.
That's all I meant to convey to the TW group.

 

@pvhobo , if you want to tag someone, type the @ in front of the handle. As in @tonered

 

That is fine and there are some folks who feel the same way that you do. No one here is making representations beyond their own experience. The collective outcome is up to the reader.

There were positives for me, but mostly negative including the fact that I don't trust it because of the amount of bending required on installation.

 

One more thing to keep in mind on these Grab Handles.
Some of you have had some issues installing the bolts on install like I did.
I ran a tap down the hole to clean up the threads before installing the bolts.
Once installed you will forget this.
When you go to have a windshield installed, they will have to remove this handle and bezel.
Most shops will use an electric impact or air wrench to install your handle and will strip those bolt holes.
Had it happen more than once.
Who cares if they think you are a pain the ass by watching to make sure they hand start each bolt a couple threads, at least it will get done right.

 

@wiljayhi got it

 

I'll make it a point to remove the grab handle and A-pillar trim when I need to get the windshield replaced.

 

Good PSA there.

 

Well... Mine finally arrived. The box didn't hold up very well:

But it looks like all of the parts made it:

But one cover doesn't sit right:

And should the threaded insert that goes in the round hole here, be able to fall out (like it did)?

 

The bushing falling out is not a problem. It would be a minor plus if it stayed in place.

 

Hope your install goes well...
That insert is just a shoulder for the bolt, so it is not threaded. And no, it shouldn't fall out.........but mine did and probably 99% of everyone else's.

 

I still find it hard to believe that all of these handles were possibly built by the same molding machines to the same specs, but some of the members were able to start the upper bolt easily. I had to reef my handle like hell towards the windshield to get the upper bolt lined up straight, it was WAY out of alignment until I reefed on that handle. I hope some people didnt just force that upper bolt in at a cross threaded angle.

 

Same here. I have a few theories, but they just lead to more questions.

-- Given the size and complexity of the parts, there are only one set of molds for this kit.

-- The handle was tested on one Taco that was on the far end of the range of possible clip orientations. I cannot see Toyota accepting a 15deg total variance on metal parts, even for interior trim, but who really knows?

-- The Stock pillar trim piece doesn't really care about the clip angle. All that it needs to align is a short 20mm (?) bolt through a thin piece of plastic. The angle in something so shallow is not critical and 7.5deg can be sucked up in the plastic. The much longer bolt needed for the handle reveals the issue.

Big note there: KTJO 4x4 whipped in a 2,000 handle order without giving a shit about correcting the OEM / PnP fit of the kit. It would not be a fun adjustment to the molds, but it should have been considered to some extent.

-- Some folks rate bending metal parts differently than others. Hammer to fit may be just fine to some and out of the range of sane possibilities to others.

-- KTJO 4x4 doesn't give a flying fuck as long has the "OEM" mods print money.

 

Me too!

Just fixing one of the major issues could have been game changing for this kit.

 

Received mine on 1/3/2021 and the box looked like it had been in a tornado. Missing bottom bolt cover. Emailed both addresses on 1/3/2021 and have not received an email or missing part yet.

 

Good luck. Follow the link in the first post for a list of contact info. Send a message to everyone of them one after the other. Don't wait for a response from one before you go to the next one on the list. Just send the same message to every damn one of them. Then resend every fucking day until you get a response.