KTJO Driver Side Grab Handle

Yeah that’s a reasonable response. Thanks for not treating me like an asshole for asking a reasonable question.


Has anyone who’s installed one of these gotten into a crash where the airbags deployed? Can you share your experience if you have?

 

Haven’t seen anything on a post-crash experience. Too many variables there, anyway, and it may never have gotten back to this site.

But in legit NHTSA crash testing, I recall we looked at that on previous threads and found there is the possibility of the head of the dummy to still glance off the edge of the grab handle in one of those offset crashes. I think red ink from the dummy head marked up a corner of the handle a bit. So Toyota deleted it before the truck went to market. To wit, the KTJO grab handle makes the truck less safe for the driver if there is a significant collision that whips their head forward. Many of us understood that risk and bought them anyway. Because…we can’t resist our programming.

 

I can believe that. I spent a minute going through crash test data for the third gen and apparently in one test, the passenger dummy glanced the passenger side entry handle.

 

Works great now that it's been installed and the fit/finish is good enough only my other friends with Tacomas notice it isn't stock. Big help getting in/out of the driver seat with the truck lifted.

I ordered through Tacoma Lifestyle and thus avoided dealing with the original maker of the handle entirely. The crush washer method in the instructions completely failed for me, so I improvised my own solution using some spare bolts, washers, and nuts I had lying around that had come off somewhere else on my truck while installing another accessory. Getting the windshield end of the trim piece in was also a big nuisance, and though it looks fine from mostnangles, from the right angles in the driver seat you can tell I decided it was just good enough and couldn't be bothered further.

Unfortunately I can't say the same for the rear grab handles, despite much effort on my part I could never get them installed in a way that felt solid enough to use and had to make the call to give up and return them.

 

Are you interested in getting one and concerned about possible safety ramifications? Because it’s coming off like you are just

Here’s some pics:



@Malvolio:

 

Really just trying to make the most informed purchase possible. And I don’t deal in “just trust what I say” when it comes to potential safety concerns.

I really don’t understand why people are treating me like an asshole for asking reasonable questions.

 

Here's what it boils down to. The handles themselves do not interfere with the airbag operation. But that being said, the handles do protrude out from the A-pillar trim the exact same way they do on the passenger side, so IF you are in a severe accident there is a risk you could come into contact with that protrusion. Depending on your seating position up and down, how far back your seat sits, and the type of impact... all of these things will change the dynamics of it all. In my opinion the risk is not a problem as I would be at no greater risk than a front passenger would be in my truck with the OEM handle. If you have doubts, don't get one. Personally I think people should be more concerned about all these damn cell phone holders they have mounted in front of their faces, there's a far greater chance of face planting into those than the assist handle. Just sayin'.

 

I feel like you’re getting back what you put out there man.
Like I said “And you know the airbag operation in the driver's side A-Pillar won't be affected...how?” doesn’t give off looking to make informed purchase vibes. You made an assumption (one I agree with believe has merit for the record…) and asked everyone to disprove it.
It’s the way you said it not what you’re asking.

“Do these interfere with the side curtain airbags?” Would have yielded different responses, at least from me

 

I like this driver's side grab handle as it seems handy for entry and exit.

Been riding motorcycles for 49 years. Flew Army helicopters in combat zones too.

Just not concerned about a slim chance of hitting my head on the grab handle during a collision.

 

seems every other Toyota before this has handles. How do they work? I imagine there's a curtain airbag. Not every vehicle came with curtain airbags.
I know some vehicles the pillar is secured in a way it more likely pops off completely in the event of deployment, rather than swing away or tear through.
Curtain airbag goes down and is likely not the strongest airbag. Steering wheel airbag probably is.

If you have a lifted BoF truck with armor and somebody makes the genius decision to hit it, likely not shit is going to happen.

That pillar is going wherever it's going regardless of if there's a handle on it or not.

Normally, an igniter is going to fire the seat belt tensioner to tension you, if you decide to slam into a wall. Keeping your torso put in the seat.
the steering wheel airbag will go off and burn your face
and whiplash

I don't really see a left side handle coming into play there.

and curtain airbag is typically above, not in front at the pillar
falling down, the idea being to block between your head and the glass of driver window

 

I have one and don't give a sh*t. Vehicles didn't have airbags for many years and people still survived. So what is your point? Pass side has an airbag and a handle so if your concerned don't buy one.

 

Just had to come on here and say I ride motorcycles, also grew up when it was legal to sit in the bed of a pick up. Am I worried about a grab handle of all things not really more worried about the drunk asshole rear ending me on my bike. I was on the pre order for this handle got mine put it on still on truck works great never an issue. Some people on here had issues and made it their life’s work to bash the shit out of the company who made the handle (which most of it had coming). Now pics

 

1000%

But for those who are, do not buy. Nothing anyone here says will convince you otherwise.

People act like crash safety is an exact science and that Toyota is protecting you from every conceivable incident...

 

I love the lack of context...

 

Your loss... @Malvolio is the funniest cat on TW.

 

Yep, and no doubt. Some will buy and some won't.

If I can buy without the tool and at a better price, I will.

 

I bought one this past spring. Not one problem with fulfillment or installation. A co-worker bought one after seeing mine. He wasn't careful putting the lower cover on and damaged it, used a little clear RTV to hold it in place.

She came up with a great idea and product, just ran into the perfect storm of problems on rollout, mostly the shipping fiasco of a couple of years ago. It's a shame she didn't handle things a bit better, but it appears that that's all in the past now.

As for the potential danger of hitting your head on the handle in a crash...I'm also a motorcyclist. As a motorcyclist, you are constantly analyzing risk. In my mind, this risk is so remote as to be practically nil.