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

I had to tweak it upwards towards the windshield while getting it started, but once I got the bottom bolt snugged down I was able to crank down the upper one without much issue. Didn't have to modify the mounts at all. Took me maybe an extra 10 minutes over if it had been perfect? Guess we're dealing with build variance and tolerance stacking here.

Now when I dropped the clip into the hole in the front of the dash waaay up in the front? Whole different issue. Lot of swearing and modified magnet retrievers for that one...

 

Yes. Once I got it in a full turn, it was no big deal. Getting it started without boogering the threads was the problem.

As I noted originally, this cannot be a tolerance problem or Toyota would have been suffering from it also with the Stock part. That much angle is well outside of any modern tolerance allowable. Between 5deg and 10deg, maybe? Standard is about 0.5deg.

This is barely threaded:


Tapering gap seen while driving, not so apparent in the pic:


Major gaposis:

 

I really only needed a place to rest my left hand once in a while. Sounds like it should be fine for that purpose. Never liked hangin' on to the roof.

 

Maybe there's a trick to getting the bolt started. KTJO never mentioned any problems with her prototype, unless the manufacturing went off the rails a bit.

 

Sorry, but I'm about at my limit. I was hoping a good effort here might help thaw the problems for TW. I'm just not feeling it. For something that costs the OEM price, it is certainly not at that value level.

 

Tony, have you gotten a response from the request to get a new top bolt cover?
I’d hate to swap, then she responds and wants the old one back. What you think?

 

I spent that hour doing just that. The trick for me was as I posted. Handle out of the seats, trim tweaked, and prying on the bolt to get it started with all the force that I felt comfortable with.

I've removed both Stock pillar trims for a few reasons (dash squeak three times, Subaru speakers, etc.). 1min job on the high end.


Let's revisit this when you get yours.

 

I wonder if that misaligned top hole is what's causing those gaps by pulling the whole thing up and twisting it off axis a little? Could you alter the part, rather than bend the metal A-pillar mount, to make it have better fit?

Plug-N-Play-N-Fiddle-N-Swear-N-Adjust

 

Dial tone. Crickets. Cold night in the desert.


I agree though. Closer distances or in a few days when shipping traffic slows.

 

Did you attempt to bend the top bolt down some prior to putting the handle on as others have suggested or did you thread it on as the bolt hole exists?

I'm wondering if that's the source of the gap you are seeing.

 

I would like that a whole lot more, but it is a problem even once torqued as seen by the gaps. Both the handle and trim would need to be adjusted.

I would have liked to be a one off, but no one has yet reported a drop in fit. And, the holes in the handle and trim are not interference fit. There's plenty of clearance. The threads are easily seen looking in.

 

Bending metal is not the approach that should be necessary for this part at this price point. That will have to be the solution though.

That is certainly the reason for the gap.

 

So I take it you did not bend anything to adjust fitment. Correct? If so, will you remove/reinstall with the slight bend to clean it up?

Agreed. It's a tolerance issue. This is aftermarket and not factory so it's not unexpected but disappointing nonetheless. If a slight bend makes it fit & look acceptable I can deal with that but if it's going to look like crap it's not acceptable and won't be installed/will be removed. First generation of anything is always a guinea pig test.

 

No bending on the first go on Monday. I may get to it this evening or tomorrow morning. I'll snap some pics before and after and will try to get an angle measurement.

Just a point of clarity. Tolerance is one thing, even doubling down, but this something outside of normal tolerances. For example:


I've seen metallic to non-metallic assemblies hit almost nuts-on. This minor interface should have been golden.


Without further details on what was used as the basis, it is all just wild guesses. I certainly would have liked to be the only problem here. I've nursed along yielded / failed parts for ages in the past.

 

If you waste your time and go back through this thread, you'll see that I've been defending KTJO all along the way. However, with the debacle in shipping and now the poor fitment, I'm done defending her. I'm calling a spade a spade... and this spade is a shit show.

 

Come on! #murderspork

 

Murder Spade for LIFE!

 

Life saved.

Still need sliders!

 

I've been super short and very nice in the emails just asking if it shipped. I get nothing. That's rude in my book. With tech the way it is there's really no reason for it and it just let's people assume whatever they want.

 

Instead of ASME Y14.100, they used Mr Deeds and Friends QC services, LLC.