grab or pull handle

Toyota removed the driver's side grab handle ever since the agencies started doing the small-overlap crash tests, which were mostly done on the driver's side, where oncoming traffic is expected to be.

Toyota removed the passenger side handle on 4th gen because the agencies started doing crash tests on the passenger side. Now both sides get a minimalist finger groove in the A-pillar trim.

 

how does gladiator get away with it on a midsize

 

OK, now this seems to be a decent reason for a left side handle. It was not mentioned in the original post, about the truck being massively lifted. Of course, lifting is also something I do not understand either...

 

You don't 'understand'. You don't consider that others have different needs or desires than you either, which is judging. Personally, I screwed my left knee up 40+ years ago, it hasn't been right since. I'm also shorter. The grab handle changes the leverage of the pull up into my truck, which in turn, changes the leverage on my knee. I'm sure others have similar issues.

I also have a lift and oversized tires, no idea what you consider a 'massive' lift, but I do have a considerable lift. That's because I enjoy doing this:


I try not to let my knee (or back) issues hold me back from what I like.

 

It was done because early crash testing showed the driver hitting it, more so than the passenger, so it went bye bye to improve driver safety.

 

FCA/Stellantis decided to live with a poor safety rating. The market seems to accept the compromises in a vehicle with folding windshield and removable top. The Gladiator didn't have full curtain airbags until 2023.

 

maybe its just me but I'd rather have one less star safety rating and more headroom, higher seating position and grab handles all around by far. I don't think I'm Toyota target audience tho.

 

Lifting improves ground clearance and approach/departure/breakover angles off road, simple as that.

3" lift and 35" tires is a moderate lift for moderate trails. "Massive" lift would be 6"+ achieved through drop bracket, solid axle swap, body lift, or a combination thereof.

 

Go buy the KTJO grab handle like I did. V2 is easy to install and fits well. Curtain airbag function hasn't been tested, so be prepared to die like men in a crash.

 

will it void my warranty?

 

Hard not to notice that virtually every other TNGA-F vehicle has a driver-side handle on the A-pillar and/or headliner, and yet the NHTSA frontal crash rating on the 2024 Toyota Tacoma shows just three measly stars. So it’s a fail, times two.

This one has cost-cutting written all over it.

 

step up to a cruiser and they'll give you one with a smile on their face

 

probably saving them $200,000 to $300,000 per quarter. Maybe less.

 

Their way of saying, give us $20k more for a tundra and have fun!

 

Are they still selling this? Appears to be perpetually out of stock and they don't return emails. With all the bad press I thought they may have stopped doing business?? I would by one today if I could find one.

 

Bad press went away with the original Tacoma grab handles. There was enough business for them to invest in tooling for V2.

They're still selling the rear grab handles along with a host of Alibaba imports (seat covers, steering wheels, phone mounts). I last bought 4Runner seat covers from them mid-2024.

 

I don't believe it. This sounds like a justification and not a reason. The real reason is that the accountants said Toyota would save a few pennies per unit in costs.

 

Whatever you want to believe.

 

Never realized that the screen isn't lined up with the climate controls and now I can't unsee it. Toyota should've centered the screen right above those controls and put the volume button somewhere less afterthought-y and not tried to connect the gauge cluster shroud with the screen bezels like it's all one big unit. Makes it look extra ugly